Sasha CampbellIf you’re like most pet owners, you’ll do just about anything to keep your furry friends safe and healthy. And that includes getting rid of pesky fleas.
There are many commercial products out there that promise to do the job, but they can be expensive.
If you’re looking for a natural solution, you’re in luck. This post shares some simple, all-natural ways to treat fleas.
How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally
Below are some of the best home remedies and natural control methods that you can try.
1. Dish Soap
You’ve probably heard that dish soap is an excellent remedy for removing fleas, and it is.
Mix the soap (Dawn dish soap works well) with water in a spray bottle.
A general recipe is to mix one part liquid soap with three parts water, but you can adjust it depending on the severity of the infestation.
Next, spray it onto your pet’s coat and rub it in, ensuring the suds reach all vital areas. The fleas will die within minutes.
Finally, rinse it off.
2. Baking Soda
You can also use baking soda on fleas in your home. Sprinkle it on your carpets, let it sit for a few hours, and then suck it up with the vacuum.
Baking soda is a natural flea killer because it dries out flea eggs and larvae.
3. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
DE is great for controlling fleas because it’s sharp and abrasive.
When fleas crawl through it, it sticks to their bodies. It dries them out, which eventually kills them.
You can find diatomaceous earth at a gardening store or online. However, make sure it’s food-grade if you’re buying it to get rid of fleas in your house.
4. Salt
You might not know this, but salt is an excellent home remedy to kill fleas. Just sprinkle it on your carpet and furniture, then leave it for about 24 hours. It dehydrates and kills adult fleas on contact.
5. Rosemary Water
A rosemary bath is an excellent home remedy for fleas on dogs. You only need a handful of fresh rosemary leaves, which you can crush and add to a warm bath.
Use enough leaves. Bathe your puppy with them, or use the rosemary water to saturate its fur.
You can also dab cotton balls in rosemary oil and place them around your house to repel fleas.
6. Repellent Plants
There are a few plants that can act as natural flea repellents.
One such plant is lemongrass. Try planting some peppermint near your house.
The strong scent will keep the fleas away. To make a natural flea spray, add eight drops of lemongrass oil to 16 ounces of water.
Lavender is another excellent plant for repelling fleas. It’s a pretty plant with a sweet smell and one of the best for keeping away certain pests.
Other great repellent plants include basil, sage, mint, catnip, citronella, and chamomile.
7. Essential Oils
As you can see, essential oils are great for repelling certain pests, including fleas.
You can use rosemary, cedarwood, lemongrass, clove, pennyroyal, or peppermint oil.
All of these are potent enough to repel and even kill fleas.
Mix a few drops (one oil or a combination of oils) with water. Then, spritz the mixture onto your dog’s or cat’s coat or fur.
You can make a natural flea repellent for humans. Combine 5 drops of thyme or myrtle oil with a cup of carrier oil, then apply it to your skin.
Furthermore, rosemary oil is gentle enough to naturally get rid of fleas on humans, as it is commonly used in hair growth oils.
8. Lemon Spray
Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Then, please give it a good shake. You’re ready to start spraying.
Spray the solution liberally all over your pet’s fur, making sure to get behind the ears and around the neck. Be careful not to get any in its eyes. Let your pet air-dry.
You can use lemon to make a natural flea deterrent for the house.
Cut a lemon into thin slices and add them to a pint of water. Bring it to a boil, then turn off the heat.
Finally, let it sit for about 12 hours before spraying your sofas, pet bedding, and other areas of your home.
9. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is also excellent for flea prevention. Apply a small amount to your pet’s skin and rub it all over.
The lauric acid in it will naturally kill fleas and keep them under control.
10. Vacuuming
Since fleas and their eggs can slip into crevices and small spaces, it is essential to vacuum your home at least once a week.
Vacuum all the nooks and crannies—including under furniture, chairs, beds, and the room’s corners.
Also, throw away the vacuum cleaner bag or empty the canister immediately after vacuuming to prevent the fleas from reinfesting your home.
11. Clean the House Thoroughly
The first step in getting rid of a flea infestation is cleaning your house as thoroughly as possible. Vacuum and sweep every nook and cranny.
It’s also important to wash your pet’s bedding and toys and treat its fur with a flea-killing shampoo.
You might also want to try using a steam cleaner to kill any adult or larval fleas and eggs hiding deep within the carpet.
12. Get Rid of Damp Areas
Fleas prefer shady, damp outdoor areas. Therefore, remove excess mulch, twigs, and dead leaves from your garden and allow as much sunlight as possible to enter.
You can also use a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture from areas inside your home.
13. Flea Comb
A flea comb is your best friend when it comes to flea removal. Dip the comb in soapy water, then run it through the pet’s fur.
Not only does it help get rid of the little creatures, but it also helps keep your pet’s coat healthy and shiny.
14. Apple Cider Vinegar
Believe it or not, apple cider vinegar repels fleas. The critters don’t like the smell or taste, so if you use it on your pets, they will stay away.
So, add 2 tablespoons of ACV to each quart of water, then mist your pet’s coat.
15. Beneficial Nematodes
These tiny creatures are parasitic roundworms that can be used to control certain pests, including fleas [1].
Beneficial nematodes can be found online or at most garden stores and are easy to apply. Mix them with water and spray them on the areas where you see fleas.
The nematodes will enter the soil and begin killing flea larvae and pupae.
16. Boric Acid
Boric acid dehydrates flea larvae if sprinkled directly on them. Therefore, sprinkle some on carpeted areas and brush it in.
Leave it for a few days before vacuuming it up.
17. Mow the Lawn
Fleas will hide in tall grass, where they can easily find a host. So, by keeping your lawn mowed short, you’re making it less hospitable for fleas.
18. Dr. Earth Final Stop Pest Control Killer Spray
This organic spray is made with essential oils known to kill fleas and other pests, such as centipedes, ticks, ants, and chiggers, within minutes of application.
Use it around your home and garden, but do not spray plants directly; it can cause leaf burn.
19. Enoz® Trap-N-Kill® Flea Trap
The Enoz Flea Trap is a safe and effective way to trap and kill fleas and other crawling and flying insects.
It’s also really easy to use. Just plug it in, and the light and warmth attract the critters. The glue board will then trap them. Replace the glue board when it is full.
Takeaway
As you can see, there are many ways to eliminate fleas naturally without using harsh chemicals. Try these methods to see which works best for you and your pet.
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