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Is your home infested with the pesky fleas? If you have a furry pet, there’s a chance that you’ll encounter this problem at least once in your pet owner life. Fleas don’t just pester your cat or dog; it will also get into your skin and leave itchy bites. With this, you should have strong home remedies for fleas whenever an infestation starts.
Here, we listed 10 of the tried and tested household solutions to fleas. Still, if the infestation is widespread, it’s best to tap the help of a professional exterminator.
1. Natural oils
Natural oils are excellent alternatives to chemical sprays against fleas. The likes of cedar oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil are just some of the potent remedies for the pest.
These oils are also common ingredients of all-natural insect repellents. It’s safer to use and most can be applied directly on the skin aside from spraying it on the harborage of the fleas.
The following are the other essential oils that repel and kill fleas:
*Patchouli essential oil
*Lemon Verbena hydrosoL
*Rose Geranium oil
*Eucalyptus essential oil
Take note that you’re not supposed to use undiluted essential oils on your skin when applying it as a repellent. As much as these are natural, its concentration may lead to irritations.
If you don’t want to concoct your natural oil spray manually, you can look for a commercial product that uses the same ingredients.
We recommend the Skedattle Natural Bug Spray. It’s made from the combination of citronella, lemongrass oil, and peppermint oil. Moreover, it’s safe to spray directly on the skin and can be used on kids as well as your furry pets.
2. Lemon spray
Lemon has a citrusy scent and acidic property that will kill fleas upon contact. This extract is also an excellent remedy for wasp stings and other insect bites.
All you have to do is to make a lemon spray and spritz it around your house. Aside from being 100% safe, it also gives a fresh scent on your home sans the harmful chemicals.
Here’s how you can make the lemon spray:
What you need:
-Thinly sliced lemon
-1 pint of water
-Stove
-Pot
-Spray bottle
Procedure:
Add the thin slices of lemon and water on the pot. After that, boil it on the stove until the water bubbles. Let this mixture sit overnight so the lemon will unleash all its abrasive properties against fleas.
The next morning, transfer the solution to the spray bottle and apply it around your home. Take note that you shouldn’t soak fabric areas. Just dampen it with a spray or two.
Also, you can add more lemon slices depending on the potency that you wish to achieve. You can also add essential oils in the mixture for added effect.
3. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is another golden solution for a variety of insect or bug infestation. This powder is made from silica harvested from fossilized remains of aquatic organisms.
DE is safe to use around the house, even on food preparation areas and spots where your kids or pets have access. Still, you should keep in mind that the DE dust can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory problems during excessive exposure.
Also, always use food-grade Diatomaceous earth for your safety. This way, you wouldn’t have to worry even if someone ingested the powder.
When applying DE, always wear a protective mask and gloves. Like any powder, this can billow in the air and irritate the eyes and nose.
How DE works:
Once the fleas get in contact with the Diatomaceous earth, the power will stick to their bodies. The glass-sharp edges of the diatoms will cut into the fleas and kill them in the process.
Take note that you may need to use large amounts of DE if treating your yard. Also, you should keep the DE dry for it to work. It’s also the reason why DE doesn’t work well on humid days.
4. Salt
Salt is a natural and convenient choice to kill fleas. The dehydrating nature of salt can easily kill fleas upon contact. Take note that this only works for adult fleas. Also, you should never mix it with DE since salt will melt over time and defeat the potency of Diatomaceous earth.
To use salt against fleas, it’s best to use the finest type. Just sprinkle it all over your carpet and rugs. This is safe to use at home even with the kids and pets around. The only struggle here is that pets may try to lick it out of the carpet.
Let the salt sit on the carpet and rugs for up to two days before vacuuming. Empty the bin using a plastic bag and seal it before disposal. Furthermore, make sure that the fleas won’t escape the bag.
During humid conditions, it’s best to vacuum the salt after 12 to 24 hours since it will attract moisture.
If the fleas don’t budge with salt, you can mix it with a small amount of boric acid. Take note that borax is abrasive and you should keep your kids and pets off the treated area.
5. Baking soda
Like salt, you can use baking soda to kill the fleas without resorting to harsh chemicals. But instead of sprinkling the powder, you have to do something else to make it more effective.
Sprinkle some baking soda on your carpet and rug. After that, use a brush to rub it deeper into the fibers of the fabric. Let this sit for a few hours or up to a day.
After that, vacuum the treated carpet or rug to remove all the powder and dead fleas. Again, always dispose of the vacuumed powder in a sealed bag to prevent the surviving fleas from creeping back to your home.
You can also mix baking soda with salt to increase its potency for killing the pest. Also, you may need to repeat the process for a few days to make a dent on the flea population.
Just a note: baking soda tends to lose its potency quickly. If you’ve opened a box for a month, the baking soda inside is no longer active and won’t kill the insects. It’s best to purchase small packets to preserve the powder’s efficacy.
6. Apple cider vinegar
Another grocery item that you can use against fleas is apple cider vinegar. It’s not the most pleasant-smelling solution, but it does the job of eradicating the insects that pesters you and your furry friend.
Take note that you’re not supposed to use pure ACV on your pet. If applying it as a spray, dilute two parts of ACV in one part of water. Upon spraying this on your pet, the fleas will jump out of the fur and will seek a safer refuge. Make sure that you have a second attack to eradicate the fleas. Vacuuming is the easiest option here.
Fleas hate the taste and smell of vinegar, so they will do everything to avoid it. Just take note that fleas can jump, so it’s best to treat your doggo or cat in an area that you can vacuum fast.
Aside from removing the fleas on your dog’s fur, the ACV and water mixture is also great in soothing the flea bites. It may sting a bit, but ACV’s disinfecting property helps in the healing of your dog’s skin.
You can also use a more concentrated ACV solution but never spray it directly on your pet. It’s one of the strong home remedies for fleas on carpets and tiny crevices.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary isn’t just a flavorful herb; it’s also a great anti-flea agent. You can make it into an herbal rosemary solution to eradicate the fleas from your home.
To do this, you need dried rosemary leaves, wormwood, rue, peppermint, and fennel. Crush and mix these ingredients using a mortar and pestle until you create a powder consistency.
You have to sprinkle this to your carpet and around your home to repel the fleas. Once the insects are jumping off their hiding places, it’s time to turn the vacuum on to suck them out of your home.
Take note that this rosemary solution will only repel the pest and not kill it directly. Still, it’s a great way to drive the fleas out of their hiding places.
If you want to remove the fleas from your dog or cat, you can rub a small amount of rosemary leaf powder on their fur. This will make them unappealing to the pest and the fleas that are currently harboring on their fur will jump out.
For better coverage, you can make rosemary water as a natural pet flea bath. Just mix some rosemary oil on the water before your dog dips in it. This is one of the strong home remedies for fleas but gentle on your dog’s skin.
8. Dish soap
If you don’t have any of these oils at home, your first resort is dish soap. In fact, even a gentle formulation can have lethal effects on the insects. Your dish soap isn’t just tough on food stains; it’s also one of the strong home remedies for fleas.
Once the fleas get in contact with the dish soap solution, the soap will ruin their exoskeleton. It will kill them within minutes. This effect lingers even if the dish soap has been diluted in water.
You can mix dish soap and water in a spray bottle to spritz it around your home. If you can, wash your carpet using dish soap to kill any hiding fleas.
If your dog is highly infested with fleas, you can use dish soap with a gentle formula during their bath. Lather it well on their fur and make sure that you rub the soap well in the spots where fleas are concentrated. Let this sit for a minute or two before rinsing.
We recommend that you do this on the tub so no fleas can run away and survive.
You can also place a shallow dish filled with soap dish water under a lamp at night. The fleas will be attracted to the heat and light and will drown in the soapy water.
9. Spices
Simply spicing up your home will help kill the fleas. But instead of going to the kitchen and cooking, we will literally use the spices around your household.
The likes of oregano oil have the so-called carvacrol, a substance that’s very potent in removing and killing fleas. That’s what makes it one of the strong home remedies for fleas.
You have to mix one teaspoon of oregano oil with three teaspoons of olive oil. Once mixed, you can dab this on areas where fleas love to stay or congregate. It’s safe for pets and kids, although there would be a mild scent due to the oregano oil.
You can also use tansy and garlic powder to ward off the pest. Just note that garlic powder is harmful to cats and dogs. Avoid using this on areas that your pet can access.
If you want to make things more flavorful, err, powerful against fleas, you can mix these herbs with rosemary, ACV, lemon, and other essential oils.
10. Cedar chips
In case any chemical or herbal treatments aren’t possible at home, you can use cedar chips against the fleas. It’s a fact that this insect finds cedar chips unappealing. It’s a non-toxic and mess-free solution for the pest, but still one of the strong home remedies for fleas.
However, cats tend to have a dislike with cedar chips, too. Still, you can place a few pieces around or under its bed so the fleas won’t pester the feline.
For your dog, you can actually stash some cedar chips on their bedding. Some pet owners create makeshift dog beds stuffed with pure cedar chips. This will suit your dog as long as the pooch doesn’t have any orthopedic problems or special needs.
Take note that cedar chips have splinters and may injure your pet if you’re not careful. Also, if your pet has an underlying condition, it’s best to consult a veterinarian first before using cedar chips.
Final words
These 10 strong home remedies for fleas can be found on your home. Also, a little creativity will unleash the anti-flea properties of these items.
As much as most of these are safe, you should always proceed with caution, much so if you have small kids and pets at home.
What do you think of our suggestions? Do you have something to add? Let us know below!
