Home Remedies

Frustrated with damage of your expensive furniture caused by carpenter bees? And irritated with sawdust all over your home…?? then here’s the full fledged article with effective home remedies which helps you out in eradicating carpenter bees completely and permanently.

What are carpenter bees?

Carpenter bees, also known as wood bees burrow into wood to lay their eggs. This wood can be any of the dead wood, bamboo or the structural timbers of your house and even your wooden or garden furniture.
If you happen to spot one bee in or around your property, there’s a good chance that they have plenty of friends hiding nearby.  They are a big no-no for households which have small children and pets.

Below, we have mentioned several information related to carpenter bees and home remedies to treat it. When you have a good knowledge on these carpenter bees, you can better eliminate them from your home and property.

Quick Navigation

Effective Home Remedies for removal of Carpenter bees.
Warnings.
Protecting your home from Re-infestation.

About Carpenter Bees:

• How to identify Carpenter Bee’s?
• Distinguishing between Male and Female Bee’s.
• How to find Carpenter Bee’s Nest?
• Signs of Carpenter Bee’s.
• Why removal of Carpenter Bee’s is essential?
• Tips and precaution.
• Final note.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees:

01. Make a Natural Repellent:

• Take in little amounts tea tree oil, citronella oil, lavender oil, and jojoba oil.
• Take a mixer and mix them all.
• Take a sprinkler and pour this into it.
• Sprinkle this liquid on the effected areas so that you can destroy this pests.
• Repeat this remedy until your carpenter bees are eliminated from your home.

02. Pyrethrum Spray:

Pyrethrum, is also called as Tanacetum which is a flower possessing natural insecticidal properties.

• Use this pyrethrum spray to eradicate carpenter bees.
• Repeat the usage of spray until you see the change.

Note: There is a chance of getting bee sting or insecticidal dust so it is very important to protect yourself by wearing gloves, goggles and using any effective respirator.

03. Spray Aerosol Carburetor Cleaner:

It is effective one when compared to other remedies. It has an extension tube which helps you to spray more deeply in burrows and get rid of bees. It can be bought cheaply from a store.

• Few cleaners will kill them immediately in their burrow, others will make their prospective home very uninhabitable.
• Repeat the process until bees get stop seeing bees.

Note: Make sure you are very careful while using this. Do not get that in your face or eyes, wear protection and read the precautionary measures.

04. BEE Sprays:

Bee sprays is one of the oldest methods to eliminate carpenter bees.

• Get a bee spray from nearby store and spray it directly into the nest where you feel the carpenter bees nest is present.
• Using duct tape cover the hole for 24 hours after spraying and then remove the tape.
• Follow all the instructions mentioned on the product and wear the protective clothing, like gloves and goggles to protect your skin.
• Repeat the process if you observe any bees inside the tunnel.

05. Petrol or Diesel:

Petrol is very effective way to eliminate bees by pouring them into their burrows. It will kill the bees because it may create unpleasant environment to them.

• Take some amount of petrol in a spray bottle.
• Spray it thoroughly on the infested areas.
• Leave it until the petrol dries off.
• If you are using a spray bottle to pour petrol in the burrows, be sure to label it and keep it aside for petrol use only, in the future.
• Repeat the process 1 or 2 times a day until carpenter bees are completely removed.

Note: Petrol is flammable and can damage your wooden furniture you pour it over, so use it carefully. Wear an N-95 respirator, goggles, and gloves when applying petrol to the burrows.

06. Boric Acid:

Boric acid serves as a poison for the bees.

• Spray boric acid in the holes of the carpenter bees, in order to kill their larvae before they hatch.
• Repeat this remedy until you get satisfactory results.

07. Diatomaceous Earth:

Diatomaceous Earth(DE) is known to kill the insects and dry them out. It is a temporary solution of getting rid of carpenter bees.

• Find the burrows made by the bees.
• Use Diatomaceous Earth according to the severity of the burrow.
• At the end, rinse your hands with soap and water.
• Repeat using Diatomaceous Earth until bees are removed.

Note: Use gloves while trying this remedy. Do not use the glove for any other purpose either throw them away or keep them for the next time.

08. Vinyl Siding:

Vinyl siding is also effective way to keep carpenter bees away and your home protected. Vinyl siding has a non-wooden surface that can’t be damaged by these insects.

• Find out the carpenter bee’s nest and use vinyl siding on that.
• Repeat using Vinyl siding until you eliminate bees completely from your home.

09. Natural Non-Synthetic Citrus:

Carpenter bees also hesitant for citrus oil like other bees. The peel will protect the fruit on the inside to help it from predators.

Find out citrus-based spray designed specifically for carpenter bees, or else make yourself one.

• Collect all the peels of different citrus fruits like orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit and boil them in a pot filled with water.
• Now take a spray bottle and fill it this citrus-extract water.
• Sprinkle the burrows of the carpenter bees with citrus-extract water.
• Repeat the process twice in a day.

10. Insecticidal Dust

If you have carpenter bees in your home performing actively, use insecticidal dust.

This way, you can protect your wooden furniture from harmful liquid chemicals that may spoil the wood.

• Take insecticidal dust of your choice.
• Take a duster.
• Cut a piece of red cellophane and stick it to the flashlight to make it red light, because bees can’t see red light, but you can easily see the opening of the nest.
• With the help of duster, use insecticidal dust in burrows you found and any hole openings of the carpenter bees
• Duster blasts the dust into the tunnel made by carpenter bees and also coat its edges.
• Use it in the place of carpenter bees.
• Repeat the process until bees start decaying.

Note: While trying this remedy, wear gloves, goggles, dust mask etc. while doing this remedy in daytime. Better do this in night time as it may help to avoid female bee sting.

Please do wash the clothes immediately that you wore when dealing bees.
Take shower to avoid any risk due to insecticidal dust that might have contacted your skin or body.

11.Almond Oil :

Almond oil possess benzaldehyde which is famous to resist bees. Read the labels of certain available bee repellents, you will be finding benzaldehyde as one of its active ingredients.

• Identify the burrows and places of carpenter bees.
• Spray or pour almond oil in that place.
• Repeat this process until you see the change in your home.

12. Paint:

Although carpenter bees forces to attack all wood surfaces, they avoid using painted areas. Exterminators say bees choose untreated wood.

• Take any quality paint.
• Find out all the wooden which is untreated from so many days.
• Immediately paint that untreated wood.
• Repeat this until carpenter bees are removed.

13. Vacuum Cleaner:

• Take your vacuum cleaner, by adjusting it to the smallest hole of it, so that you can eliminate of the carpenter bees from your wooden.
• Vacuum up the bees by placing it near openings or holes.
• If your vacuum cleaner is not effective, you cant eliminate them.
• This process works out in a best manner if the nest is new one.
• Repeat this process until bees are completely vanished.

Note: For better results, perform this remedy in the evening time as the bees are in their nest during these hours and will not be able to escape.

Vacuuming is a powerful method to eradicate bees and yellow jackets (a type of social wasps).

14. Blockage of the Holes:

This blocking specially for those who hate after-effects that are caused by insecticides usage.

• Close all the openings and burrows of bees. This will one of useful method for eradicating bees.
• Prefer steel wool for this process as bees are unable to dig through steel wool or else caulk or putty.
• Openings should be blocked in the night time as adult carpenter bees will actively search for food in daytime.
• Better block the openings with steel wool because adult bees can come out through shallow caulk or putty.
• Repeat the process whenever you see a hole.

15. Noise:

• Carpenter bees are very mush hesitant to noise, so make a loud noise to get rid of them. Sounds strange but works.
• Set up a good sound box near to their burrows to eliminate them.
• This process is both safe and easy one.

16. Hit them with Badminton or Tennis Racket:

• In spring season these bees are active for two to three weeks. A tennis racket or badminton racket is very powerful to strike them with, specially it becomes easier with their habit of stopping and hanging for a moment.
• Give them a good brisk strike. Stepping on them with shoes of course..! is an obvious extra option after you striking them.

17. Stop the cycle of reproduction:

Killing the adult bees is not enough or the reproducing females, you should kill the eggs in burrows to completely eliminate them.

Better prefer a dust insecticide, as other insecticides can affect wood by absorbing into it.

Make sure not to seal up the hole when applying the insecticide dust because it forces carpenter bees to burrow new holes, ultimately there will be no use of your remedy.

• Repeat the process when you come across increasing number of bees.

18. Hardwood

Hardwood helps in prevention of carpenter bees attack, as the structure of this wood is more complicated when compared to softwoods.

• Prefer hardwood instead softwood for all household purposes.
• Oak-wood , ash-wood, cherry-wood, maple-wood are some of its popular types.

Note: Use of this hardwood instead of softwood to make furniture.

19. Seal the burrows or galleries that have been vacated:

• As soon as after young carpenter bees leave the nest, you must seal everything, prefer which is stronger than wood as bees will burrow into again.
• You can seal off with steel wool, aluminium, asphalt, wood filler cover, and fiberglass

Warnings:

• Don’t use pesticide products that are banned, they are banned as they are bad for our health as well as children’s, or can create serious atmosphere problems.
• Wear protective clothing when handling these bees, as female bee can sting as they are more reserved.
• Female bees spend most of their time in their nests. So chances of being stung by one are very little.
• Take special care for wooden fences and its main structure because the bees will look for any source of soft wood.

Protecting Your Home from Re-Infestation

• Once bees are effectively removed from the inside or outside of your home, it is important to properly seal the hole.
• Females search for old openings to redecorate as a new one. Only one single bee can deposit a food ball before laying the eggs that begin the new life cycle.
• Paint a quality exterior paint every few years, or immediately if the protective layer seems to be wearing away.
• Make sure you are replacing any wood at the first sign that it has become worn or damaged so that bees are hesitant to take up residence on your property.

About Carpenter Bees

How to identify Carpenter Bees?

• If you see at a carpenter bee you will think of bumble bee as their physical appearance is similar to a bumble bee.
• Carpenter bees are about an inch long bigger in size compared to bumble bees which are 1/2 – 1inch long.
• Abdomen of carpenter bees will be hairless and shiny black in colour where as abdomen of bumble bees is covered with yellow hair.
• From this difference in both the bees will help you to identify carpenter bees.

• Bumblebees nests are under the ground so you can see them traveling between their nest burrowed underground and the flowers because flowers give them food.
• It is important to act immediately to get rid of the problem before structural damage becomes severe.

Identifying Male and Female Carpenter Bees:

• By looking at their heads you can easily identify male and female carpenter bees. Female bees will have black heads, and male bees will have white marks on their heads.
• It is important to identify because as female bee is able to sting but doesn’t do this unless provoked extremely. So, to identify between male and female first look at its head.

• The males have attacking behaviour with their intruders, including humans and pets, draws attention to their presence. The male are harmless and will die shortly after mating with females.
• The females drill holes that face the sun, and go deep into the wood to lay their larvae.

How to find Carpenter Bee’s Nest :

• Find out the male carpenter bees place where it hangs around. Female bee digs in burrows into unfinished wood to lay eggs there.
• These burrows are carpenter bees nest and they will be five to six inches deep inside.
  This will occur in every spring season after adult bees mating process and they start cleaning and extend their old tunnels.
• They burrow new ones as little or offspring burrows for their young.
• If you found male carpenter bees (see the above picture), hanging around your wooden furniture check the ground there or under that place.
• If you see coarse sawdust, the nest is there only, just above the frass – the sawdust which falls from the drilled wooden hole.
• When you search for the nest, do not worry about the male bees that will frighten you by flying at you and buzzing around your head. Male bees cant sting unlike of female bees.
• Once you have founded the carpenter bee’s nest, you can take measures according to its severity.
• Before knowing how to eliminate carpenter bees and their burrows, let us know why it is important to remove the nest? Because it is just a hole of about half a inch.

Why is it Essential for Removing Carpenter Bees?

• The actual problem is to the structure of the home, even though females may sting in rare situations. Bees are known to infest wooden structures that are typically worn and unpainted.
• Every year, the off spring chambers keep on extending. Simultaneously tunnel also gets extended. This ultimately causes damage to your wooden furnishings.
• The bees also defecate on the wall or other surfaces directly which causes stains below the opening of the tunnels.

How to get rid of Carpenter Bees?

If you found out where the nest is, it becomes easier to remove it.
While raw wood is the preferred home for carpenter bees, painted or treated woods are not immune to the persistent and pesky insects.

Signs of Carpenter Bees

Infestations are identified easily by the presence of the following:

Wood openings – If you can found entrance holes in wood
Sawdust – If there exist sawdust on the ground under where the hole is drilled
Pollen & faeces – If there exists a yellowish combination of pollen and bee excrement near the entrance hole
Flying – If male bees are bothering you with flight activity to protect their residence

It may be hard to find the circular entrance which is tiny without looking closely, but physical check up should become a regular part of home maintenance.

Find the sawdust on the ground under any holes for signs that there is an infestation. Male bees protect their residence by flying near the hole so if you found any bee flying, make sure whether it is male or female and then accordingly find the burrow because female bees can sting.

Bees will hang on different types of softwood which are not painted and mostly they prefer old wood to excavate.

Carpenter bees enters the tunnel and eliminate their wastes. Therefore, within no time there can be a noticeable collection of this stran.

The females chew the wood by leaving circular holes as gaps behind which are easily identifiable gely-coloured material.

The female carpenter bee lays eggs on the food and seals off every chamber. So that these eggs will develop into adult bees and repeat the life cycle.

Some Additional Tips to get rid of Carpenter bees:

We have several important tips you should follow to reduce the likelihood of a infestation or to prevent future infestations. They are:

• Wooden structure should be protected by frequently painting and maintaining properly because bees cant affect painted wooden.
• Polyurethane paint is the best for fighting against the bees.
• Protect yourselves completely when dealing with bees to avoid bee stings.
• Bees mostly come back to their previous season burrows. Make sure to fill the burrows or any openings once if you notice they left their place. So, that you can cover them by paint or putty and hence they can be prevented.
• Use a natural spray like tulasi leaf emerged water and apply to your skin and avoid female bee stings.
• Tip for pain: You can also soothe the sting by applying some amount of toothpaste.
• Do not use treated hardwood to make the carpenter bee trap. Prefer untreated wood instead, as that’s what the bees will also prefer.
• Powerful vacuum cleaner can be used to get rid of carpenter bees.
• You can boil lemon, orange and lime peels to make a citrus spray. Essential oils are present in bulks in the peels of citrus fruits.
• Better wear a mask while working with Diatomaceous Earth if you have asthma or any other lung problems.
• Seal up the holes every time in the wood with caulk or steel wool then spray some citrus solution for eradicating bees.
• Entrance holes should be filled always at night to trap all bees.
• Review exposed wood regularly for new holes. Whenever you found a new hole, block them as soon as possible to prevent the bees from increasing and causing further damage.
• Do not use pesticides, while this may be the easiest way to eliminate a carpenter bees, it can be dangerous to the environment and other essential insects.
• Prefer wood putty or wooden dowels to block the holes made by these bees.
• Block the holes of bees with steel wool.

By performing all these home remedies, you will definitely see carpenter bee free house completely.

Final Note:
Did you find any of these home remedies for carpenter bees useful or helpful in eliminating against carpenter bees in your house?
Let me know which home remedies for carpenter bees you used for your house and what results it had.

I look forward to hearing from you!​

Mange – A common skin disease caused due to external parasite called mites in pets (like dogs, cats and birds). Most of the pet lovers like me will face this problem, especially in dogs. In general, the veterinarian will treat this problem with the usage of some heavy chemical based poisons to clear these pathogens and thereby to treat mange in dogs. Some people worry about using these chemical based medicines or ointments on their beloved pets.

Demodectic mange (red mange) and sarcoptic mange (or canine scabies) are two main types of mange in dogs in which sarcoptic mange are contagious to humans and canines.

Sarcoptic mange is a light colored and oval shaped that caused by microscopic mites and demodectic is tiny mite which we can’t be seen without the help of microscope and non contagious. However, puppies can be recovered from mange but the adult dogs will require some longer time to control this problem.

What causes this Mange in Dogs?

Knowing what causes mange in dogs will help you a lot in treating this problem. Have a look at some of the causes of this mange in dogs.

• Infection from a mother to the puppy in an unhygienic breeding conditions.
• Sharing some objects like quarters or blankets with an infected dog, even though if it doesn’t show any symptoms.
• Hereditary condition.
• The usage of dirty trimming towels and shears in pet salons.
• Unclean fur and lack of improper skin care like timely baths.
• Insanitary caging in puppy mills, pet shops or shelter houses.
• Exposure to the infected animal in the park or on the road.

Primary Symptoms of Mange in Dogs:

When your dog gets affected with this mange then it shows some of these primary symptoms which we have mentioned below.

• Eventual weight loss and general lethargy
• Severe itching (depends upon the kind of mange infection)
• Hair loss
• Formation of scab at localized areas such as especially at the elbows, chests, armpits, ears or belly.
• Attack of other infections by bacteria and yeast due to sores that causing strong musty odor.
• Formation of red pustule in the later stages with yellow pus like crust.
• Sores, if left untreated then it results in constant scratching or itching.
• Red pustule formation with yellow pus like crust in the later stages.
• Ear itching that result in bruised ear tips and swollen ears, skin darkening and enlargement of lymph nodes along with formation of wrinkles, skin pigmentation and skin thickening in advanced cases.

Remember that intensity of the discomfort will vary and finally, results in restless, nervous, or agitated behavior in the dogs. So, do first aid by isolating your dogs to prevent it from spreading to other pets or humans.

Although, there are various treatments available in the market but the natural ways will definitely help you in getting relief from your beloved pets.

Here in this article, we are providing you some of the best natural remedies that help in treating mange in dogs. Have a look at some of these remedies and follow them to get relief from mange in your beloved dogs.

Home Remedies to Treat Mange in Dogs:

These are some of the clever and time tested natural home remedies that help to get rid of mange in dogs.

Let’s get started…

Remedy – 1: (Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide)

Both borax and hydrogen peroxide acts as natural disinfectant that used to kill the insects, worms and fungi. They cleanse the dog’s skin and make the mite unable to survive by simply creating a hostile environment.

What you need:

• Hydrogen peroxide (3%) – 2 cups
• Borax – 3 tablespoons
• Water – 4 cups

What you have to do:

• Mix hydrogen peroxide (natural cleanser) in water and stir well.
• Then add borax to this hydrogen peroxide water and stir well to dissolve the borax completely.
• Now use this mixture to soak your dog’s skin thoroughly.
• Let it sit for about several hours and rinse it off with water.
• Continue doing the same process daily for 2 – 3 days and then repeat it once a week to reduce the risk of getting this mange infestation again.

Note:

• Use this solution to rinse the toys, bedding and other washable items that are used by your infected dog.
• Also, remember that ingesting borax will make the dog sick. So, keep this borax reach out of the dog.

Remedy – 2: (Apple Cider Vinegar)

The usage of raw, organic and unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV) will help you a lot in controlling and treating this mange infection in your dogs. It exhibits antiseptic, antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to clear the infection causing microbes.

It also balances the pH of your dog’s skin and thus clears the itching, irritation and infection along with preventing the risk of re-infection.  Here are a few ways of using apple cider vinegar to treat mange in dogs.

Method – 1: (Apple Cider Vinegar with Water)

Diluted apple cider vinegar will kill the worms, fungi and insects on the dog’s skin.

What you need:

• Apple cider vinegar – 1 cup
• Water – 1 cup
• Empty spray bottle

What you have to do:

• Combine equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and water and stir well.
• Pour this diluted apple cider vinegar in an empty spray bottle.
• Use it to spray on the dog’s fur but make sure to comb in between the spraying to saturate its skin completely.
• Let it to dry for a few minutes and leave it.
• Repeat the same process regularly for twice or thrice a week that depends up on the severity of your dog mange condition.

Method – 2: (Apple Cider Vinegar with Borax)

The topical application of apple cider vinegar will reduce the itching and irritation caused due to mange in your dogs. Borax acts as natural disinfectant that controls the infection causing microbes and treats mange in dogs.

What you need:

• Apple cider vinegar – 1/2 cup
• Borax – 1/2 cup
• Warm water – 1/2 cup
• Clean sponge

What to do:

• Mix equal amounts of borax, apple cider vinegar, and warm water in a bucket.
• Stir well and take a clean sponge to dip it in this solution.
• Use it to rub all over the dog gently and let it dry naturally.
• Continue this process for 2 – 3 times a week regularly till your dog gets complete relief from this mange.

Method – 3: (Apple Cider Vinegar with Dog’s Food)

Internal intake of apple cider vinegar will also help to give a complete relief from this mange in your dogs. Here is the recipe.

What you need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Dog’s food

What you have to do:

• Pour some raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in your dog’s food.
• For proper dosage – 1 teaspoon for dogs which weighs up to 14 pounds, for dogs between 15 and 34 pounds, 2 teaspoons and for those 35 – 85 pounds should take 1 tablespoon.
• Continue the intake of this mixture till you find your pets free from this mange infection.

Note: Always remember that never ever apply or use undiluted form of apple cider vinegar on the dog’s body why because it causes irritation and stinging sensation.

Remedy – 3: (Sulfur Soap)

Sulfur is a mineral alkaline nature which helps to keep this mange under control. It not only kills the insects or parasites but also reduces the irritation and inflammation on the dog’s body caused due to mange. You can easily find this sulfur powder or soap in most drug stores.

What you need:

• Sulfur soap
• Water

What you have to do:

• First of all, dampen your dog’s fur thoroughly with tepid water.
• Then start rubbing sulfur soap all over the dog’s skin until it is foamy.
• Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes so that it will move up to the dog’s surface and control this mange infection.
• Wash the body with water until the soap is removed completely.
• Finally, let the dog shake itself and allow it to dry its skin naturally.
• Repeat this sulfur soap bath to your dog for once or twice a week till you find no sign of this infection on the dog’s skin.

Remedy – 4: (Indian Lilac)

Indian lilac (neem) exhibits antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help a lot in clearing various skin problems for both pets and humans. It not only clears this infection but also soothes and nourishes the skin to give faster relief from the infection and growth of fur.

Here are a few ways of using Indian lilac for treating mange in your dogs.

Method – 1: (Neem Spray)

What you need:

• Neem leaves – 1 handful
• Water
• Pan
• Empty spray bottle

What you have to do:

• Pour a handful of Indian lilac leaves in a pan filled with water.
• Allow it boil for about 10 minutes and turn off the heat.
• Let the water cool and strain this neem water.
• Pour this neem water in an empty spray bottle and use it to spray onto the dog’s fur.
• Leave it like that and repeat the same process for once daily until the infection has cleared.

Method – 2: (Neem Oil with Coconut Oil)

Both Indian lilac oil and coconut oil will act as excellent ingredients for clearing this mange infection in the dogs.

What you need:

• Pure neem oil
• Coconut oil

What you have to do:

• Combine equal quantities of coconut oil and pure neem oil.
• Stir well and apply this oil mixture on the affected areas.
• Let it sit for about a few hours or overnight.
• Repeat the same process for 2 – 3 times daily until the dog’s infection gets cured completely.

Note:

• Also, use neem oil along with borax or apple cider vinegar or along for treating this mange in dogs.
• Or use an over the counter neem shampoo to bathe your dog regularly in every week.

Remedy – 5: (Vegetable Oil)

Vegetable oil, with its sticky nature will help to kill and clear the mites to reduce mange. It will soften the wax like deposits and scabs which left behind by the mites and thereby gives relief from this scratching and irritation. You can use any kind of vegetable oil to get rid of mange.

What you need:

• Vegetable oil – 1 cup
• Clean sponge

What you have to do:

• Pour vegetable oil in a bowl and soak a clean sponge in this oil.
• Squeeze it and use this sponge to rub all over the dog’s fur.
• But concentrate more on the areas where you found dry & patchy, so scrub the area gently.
• Repeat the same process for twice daily till your dogs are free from infection.

Remedy – 6: (Honey)

Honey exhibits antioxidant that helps to give relief from painful itching and scratching. This natural ingredient will help to relieve your dog’s discomfort and irritation. The natural antiseptic and antimicrobial properties create a hostile environment for the mites survival on the dog’s skin.

Regular follow up of this honey will help to heal the skin quickly and thereby prevent the risk of getting the re-infection.

What you need:

• Honey
• Water

What you have to do:

• Take some raw honey and spread it directly on the mange affected areas of the dog’s skin.
• Leave it for about a few hours to keep the mites (worms, fungi or bacteria) under control.
• Finally, wipe it off with water to prevent the attack of ants or other insects on the honey applied areas, which may be attracted to the sweet honey.
• Continue the application of raw honey for twice daily till your dogs are free from infection.

Remedy – 7: (Lemon)

We all know that lemon helps to treat several skin problems but do you know that this lemon treats skin problems in animals as well. The acidic nature along with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties will help to kill the microscopic parasites and heal the damaged skin.

What you need:

• Lemon – 1
• Water
• Pan
• Clean sponge

What you have to do:

• Take a lemon and cut it into small pieces.
• Pour this lemon pieces in a pan which is filled with water.
• Turn on the heat to bring this lemon water to a boil.
• Then turn off the heat and cover the pan.
• Let the solution steep for overnight and in the next morning apply this lemon water to the pet’s coat with the help of a sponge.
• Leave it to dry naturally and repeat the same process for once daily.

Note: Never ever apply lemon juice directly on the open scabs why because it causes a burning sensation on the dog’s skin.

Remedy – 8: (Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth)

The internal intake of food grade diatomaceous earth will help to control this mange infestation and it is nontoxic and safe for the dogs. Here are some recipes which help to clear mange infection in your dogs.

Method – 1: (Diatomaceous Earth)

This recipe will help to clear the mange in medium sized dogs.

What you need:

• Food grade diatomaceous earth – 1 tablespoon
• Dog’s food

What you have to do:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of food grade diatomaceous earth to their food.
• Stir well and feed your dogs with this DE mixed food.
• Continue this process daily for a month to see the reduction in the symptoms of mange in your dog.

Note: For small puppies, the dosage should be 1 teaspoon per day on regular basis.

Method – 2: (Diatomaceous Earth with Neem Powder and Yarrow Powder)

All these ingredients will help to clear the infection causing parasites on the dog’s skin.

What you need:

• Diatomaceous Earth (food grade)
• Neem powder
• Yarrow powder

What you have to do:

• Mix equal quantities of diatomaceous earth, yarrow powder and neem powder.
• Stir well to prepare a dry powder and use it to rub on the dog’s skin gently.
• Continue this process for twice daily till your pets get a complete relief from the problem.

Method – 3: (Diatomaceous Earth with Water)

This diatomaceous earth paste will help to clear the infestation quickly along with reducing the itching and burning sensation.

What you need:

• Food grade diatomaceous earth
• Water

What you have to do:

• Combine diatomaceous earth with enough water to make a fine paste.
• Apply this paste on the pet’s fur and leave it like that without rinse it off.
• Repeat the same process for twice daily.

Note:

• Make sure not to get diatomaceous earth around the dog’s eyes and mouth why because it irritates the mucosa and worsen the problem.
• Also, use food grade diatomaceous earth but not the one which we use for the yard and garden.

Remedy – 9: (Yogurt)

Yogurt helps a lot in reducing the crusting discharge from the dog’s ear, which is caused due to mange. It reduces the discomfort and clears the symptoms of mange infestation with its acidophilus bacteria.

It also soothes the skin and thereby cleanses the affected area and relieves your affected dog from the itching, sores and irritation.

What you need:

• Plain yogurt – 2 tablespoons
• Lukewarm water

What you have to do:

• Spread plain yogurt gently on the inside part of your pet’s mange infested ears.
• Leave it like that and rinse off with lukewarm water at the end of the day.
• Continue doing the same process for once daily till there is no crusty or discolored discharge from the ears.

Remedy – 10: (Aloe Vera)

Aloe vera cures various skin problems in both humans and pets with its natural antiseptic, anti-parasitic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe the mange infested dog’s skin. It gives an instant relief from the irritation, itching, burning sensation and other discomforts.

What you need:

• Aloe vera gel
• Water

What you have to do:

• First of all, give your dog a nice soapy bath by using lukewarm water and mild antiseptic soap.
• Let the dog’s fur air dry and then apply freshly exacted aloe vera gel on its skin by concentrating more on the affected areas.
• Leave it like that without rinsing and continue doing the same process for once daily till you get rid of this mange infestation.

Remedy – 11: (Listerine and Baby Oil)

Listerine contains antifungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat various skin, hair and health related problems. The baby oil soothes the irritated skin and thereby gives an instant relief from the itching.

What you need:

• Listerine – 1 tablespoon
• Baby oil – 1 tablespoon
• Water – 1 tablespoon

What you have to do:

• Combine equal quantities of these three ingredients in a bowl.
• Stir well and pour this mixture into an empty spray bottle.
• Shake it well and use it to spray on the affected areas of the dog.
• Re-spray the mix for twice daily till the infection cleared completely on the pet’s skin.

Remedy – 12: (Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo)

Benzoyl peroxide shampoo, also called as mange shampoo is a deep cleansing shampoo that clears the mites and other microbes causing mange with its antimicrobial properties.

It cleanses the skin pores and hair follicles to clear the mites and mange, especially effective in treating demodectic mange by simply creating a hostile environment for mites to survive.

What you need:

• Benzyol peroxide shampoo
• Water

What you have to do:

• Take benzoyl peroxide shampoo and use it to clean the dog’s skin and coat.
• Leave it for a couple of minutes and rinse off with water.
• Continue shampooing your pet with this mange shampoo for once daily till 1 – 2 weeks to eliminate this mange completely.

Tips and Precautions:

1. To prevent this infection further, you have to rinse your dog’s bedding with warm water regularly to clear the mites, fungi and worms causing this mange infestation. Also, rinse the dog along with its surroundings.
2. Make sure to bathe your pets regularly with a mild soap (which has alkaline nature) that helps to prevent the spread of this mange in dogs. Also, scrub their skin gently for a few minutes.
3. Check whether your dog (or pets) is suffering from any signs of mites while combing or brushing their fur and thereby treat their problem.
4. Feed your pets or dog with a healthy diet, which is enriched with vitamins (A, B complex, C & E) and minerals (zinc, iron and lecithin).
5. Never ever allow the dog to get in touch with another dog which is infected to keep the disease at bay.
6. Take your dog to the veterinarian doctor for regular checkup to test the skin scrapes and thereby to ensure the mites have been eradicated completely on your dogs.
7. Garlic has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that help to clear mange in your dog. So, simply add a small slice of garlic in your pet’s meal to get rid of these blood sucking mites. Or add some chopped garlic to the lemon bath to clear your dog’s fur.
8. The usage of natural herbs like arnica (treats scabs, swelling and bruises) and calendula tea (calm down the skin’s inflammation). All you need to boil these herbs and use it to rinse the pet for several times daily.
9. The thick coating of olive oil on the skin will help to block out the air supply and clear the mites inside the dog’s ear along with killing the parasites and soothing the affected areas.
10. The vinaigrette like property of colloidal silver will help to treat mange in dogs or other pets. All you need is to apply colloidal silver directly on the affected areas and rinse off with water.
11. Avoid feeding the canned or packed products to your dogs, as it may worsen the infection. For best digestion and mange resistant skin, add 1 tablespoon of fish oil which has omega – 3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet.

Final Word:

Try these amazing natural home remedies for treating mange in dogs. Do you know any other successful natural remedies for mange in dogs? Then share your experience with us in the below comments box.

Throwing away the rusted metals is not always an option!!

Though the tools or any metallic parts are rusted we can still regain its look by some of the home remedies mentioned below.

As said prevention is better than cure, to prevent it from happening we must know the root cause of the problem. So, let us see what is rust and why does it occur?

Rust is a red or brown coloured coating that occurs when metal, oxygen and water comes in contact together and oxidation process takes place. It corrodes the iron and finishes it completely; all that is left out is just rust powder.

Rust can appear on vehicles, bathtubs, garden tools, furniture, utensils etc. which not only spoils its look but makes them useless. So, it is very important to remove the rust before using them.

There are several rust removal chemicals available in the market, which are very harmful to you as well as environment.

So, it is safer to use some natural home remedies that are perfect for getting rid of the rust. They are economical as well as less harmful and moreover rusting is a continuous process, which affects the metals when left unused.

In the below article we have mentioned top 8 easy-to-use methods to get rid of rust naturally.

You can better use 1 or 2 methods at a time for effective and quick results.

Top 8 Natural Methods to Remove Rust from the Metal:

Method 1: White Vinegar:

White vinegar is acidic in nature and one of the powerful remedy to remove the rust from the metal surfaces. It has ability to dissolve the rust that has accumulated on nuts, bolts and other various iron tools.

How to use?

• Take a bowl and pour vinegar into it.
• Now, soak down the rusted metal in this mix for about 24 hours.
• After that remove the metal and wipe away using some thick cloth.
• You can repeat this process whenever you find some rusted metals.

Alternative method:

1. If the object is too large then, you can directly pour some vinegar on it.
2. Leave it untouched for about 20-24 hours.
3. Then, you can clean it using some old cloth.
4. Take a big piece of cloth and soak down it in the vinegar.
5. Then, you can use this cloth and cover the rusted metals that are very big in size.
6. Leave it for overnight and you can repeat the method whenever necessary.
7. Take some aluminium foil and dip it into the vinegar to scrub the rusted metals and make them free from rust.

Method 2: Salt and Lemon

Lemon has acidic and abrasive nature that removes the rust from the metallic surface and keeps them safe. It is also helpful in removing the other types of stains that usually occur due to the salty water.

How to use?

• Take a bowl and mix lemon juice along with salt.
• Now, pour this liquid on the rusted metal and allow it to sit for few hours.
• Then, you can scrub the surface to remove the rust.

Alternative method:

1. Sprinkle some salt directly on the surface and then squeeze a lemon and leave it for about 2-3 hours. Afterwards you can remove it using a scrub or rag.
2. To remove rust from the stainless steel you can mix lemon juice with some cream of tartar and apply it on the rusted parts. Later, clean it by scrubbing the metal.
3. You can mix borax and lemon juice to make a paste and apply it on the metal. Then, scrub it using pumice stone and wash it using some water.

Method 3: Baking soda

Baking soda is one of the commonly found in kitchen which is abrasive in nature and it dissolves the rust particles in it. Thus, baking soda is best to get rid of rust on metals.

How to use?

• Take a bowl and add baking soda along with lemon juice or water and stir well.
• Now, spread this mix all over the metallic surfaces and leave it undisturbed for few minutes.
• Again apply one more layer of the mixture on the metal and scrub it to remove the rust.

Alternative method:

• Directly put some baking soda on the rusted metal and scrub it with some brush by sprinkling some water. This method is also effective in removing the rust.

Method 4: Potato

Potato has oxalic acid, which dissolves the rust present on the metal and remove it completely. However, the amount of acid present is less but is effective in removing the rust particles.

How to use?

• Take a potato and cut it into two halves.
• Now, sprinkle some salt on it and scrub the rusted metal using this potato.
• For better results you can sprinkle some more amount of salt while scrubbing the metal.
• Once it is done, wash it with water and wipe with a cloth to dry.
• You can also use baking soda in place of salt and continue the scrubbing process.

Alternative method:

• Take a potato and cut it into two halves and dip the chopped side of potato in the dish soap.
• Then, keep this potato on the rusted area and scrub it.
• You can slice down the top layer of the potato and re-use it.

Method 5: Molasses

Molasses are usually used to prepare sweet dishes but they are equally effective in removing the rust from the metal. The acids and chemical present in the molasses remove the rust from the metal and makes it clear.

How to use?

• Take a large bowl and pour 10-12 parts of water to 1 part of molasses.
• Now, keep the rusted metals in this solution and soak them for couple of hours.
• You can remove the metal and check whether the rust has disappeared. If no then soak for some more hours.
• Once the rust is completely gone you can rinse it off using water and wipe dry.

Method 6: Citric acid

The astringent and acidic property of citric acid is helpful in removing the rust from the metal.

How to use?

• Take a mason jar and pour 2 tablespoons of concentrated citric acid.
• Mix thoroughly and soak the rusted metals into the solution.
• Then, you can close the lid of the jar and leave it untouched for about 3-4 hours.
• After that you can remove the metal parts and soak them in the normal water.
• Start scrubbing using a brush and remove all the rust from it.
• Clean the surface using a dry cloth and make the metals free from the traces of rust.

Note:

Citric acid is capable of removing the paint from the things. So, be careful and use them wherever necessary.

Method 7: Coca Cola

Coca cola has citric acid in it which has ability to dissolve the rust particles and remove them. But this method is useful in removing the rust in the initial stages.

How to use?

• Take a large bowl and keep all the rusted metals in that.
• Now, start pouring the coca cola on that metal and take aluminium foil to scrub the metal.
• Then, again pour some more coca cola over it and scrub thoroughly to remove the traces of rust.
• You can make use of some cloth and wipe it dry.
• Repeat the process to get rid of rust on the tools.

Note:

• You can also make use of the club soda that has acidic nature, which dries the rust and removes it completely from the base.

Method 8: Tamarind water

We all know that tamarind water is used to remove the dirt from the copper and brass vessels. In the same due to its acidic nature, it is useful in removing the rust from the metals.

How to use?

• Take a bowl and put some ripen tamarind and start boiling.
• Then, pour this tamarind water on the rusted metals and leave it for few hours.
• Afterwards, scrub it and rinse off using water. Then, dry the area using cloth.
• You can repeat this process and get rid of rust.

Tips and precautions for removing dust from the metals:

1. To remove the rust from the metals you can use toothbrush, sandpapers and other abrasive brushes and scrub the rusted metals.
2. Once you remove the rust completely and wash them with water make sure they are dried thoroughly before using.
3. If you didn’t find any effect from one method then, you can try with various different methods and achieve good results.
4. Always try to remove rust in open place because lot of chemicals get released while doing this process. The chemicals come out in the form of fumes, which are harmful to human body.
5. Try to be careful while using vinegar, borax and citric acid because they are highly concentrated, which may be harmful to you. Keep them away from the children and pets.
6. Sometimes rust may spoil your clothes too, at that time all you need to do is just pour few drops of lemon and leave it for some time. Then, rinse off using water.
7. Scrubbing can also be done using sand paper, wire brush or aluminium foil, which removes the rust completely and makes metal clean.
8. To prevent any tool or any part from getting rusted you can just put a thick coat of painting or keep the tools away from moisture and wetness to prevent them from rusting.
9. It is always important to keep your objects away from getting rust so, you can apply oil to the tools before storing them or using them.
10. When you use vinegar or lemon juice method then, due to acid the tool may turn black. But once you rinse off thoroughly with water the tool gains back its original colour.
11. It is always safer to use hand gloves while following these methods to remove the rust because the iron or any metal may hurt you.
12. In case, if you get hurt anywhere on the skin then, do not neglect. Consult your doctor and take tetanus injection.
13. Rinse off thoroughly after applying vinegar and borax because they are highly acidic and if any small amount is left back then, it is harmful.
14. If you cannot immerse the tools in the solutions then, it is better to cover them with the soaked cloth.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Which method can i use to remove rust away from jewellery?

Sometimes we can see rust on the jewellery also so; to remove rust from them you can use white vinegar and lemon methods. You can just apply some vinegar and brush your jewellery or else you can just soak down the jewellery in vinegar.

2. Can i use apple cider vinegar to remove the rust?

Yes, apple cider vinegar is equally effective in removing the rust from the metals all you need to do it just soak down the material in the vinegar solution and leave it for few hours. Afterwards you can take them out and wash using water.

3. Can toothpaste be effective in removing rust from the metals?

Yes, you can use toothpaste to remove the rust from the metals and iron. You can just apply some amount of toothpaste and rub thoroughly on the rusted metal. Later, wash it using water.

4. Which element causes rust faster in metals?

Though there are numerous liquids present but the only liquid that rusts the metal fastest is water. Whenever, any metal is exposed to moist or wetness and left without drying then, metal rusts.

5. Can we paint without removing the rust?

No, it is always safer to remove the rust before painting. You can just remove the rust powder and some extra flakes that have occurred due to rusting. If paint is applied directly on the rusted metal then, it does not sit properly on the metal.

Summary:

Rust can become very problematic when it starts spreading across your bike parts or windows. So, it is always better to know some of the home remedies that are helpful in removing the rust.

Have you experienced this? Which method did you follow? How was your experience? Do you know any other method? Please write to us the comment section below.

If you have any queries you can write down in the comment section below. Our team of experts will clarify them as soon as possible.