If 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 a lot of commercial products out there that promise to get the job done but they can be expensive.
If you’re looking for a natural solution, you’re in luck. In this post, we’ll share some simple, all-natural ways to treat fleas.
Here’s how to get rid of fleas naturally.
1. Dish Soap
You’ve probably heard that dish soap is a super remedy to remove fleas, and it is.
You’ll need to 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 how bad the infestation is.
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 this powdery substance on fleas in your home. Just 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
What makes DE so great for controlling fleas is that it’s sharp and jagged. And when they crawl through it, it sticks to their bodies.
This dries them out, which eventually kills them. You can find diatomaceous earth at a gardening store or online. Just make sure to check that 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 a great flea killer home remedy. Just sprinkle it over your carpet and furniture and 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. All you need is a handful of fresh rosemary leaves, which you can crush and add to a warm bath.
Use enough leaves so you smell the aroma after adding it to the water. Bath your puppy with it or use the rosemary water to saturate his 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 repellents against fleas.
One such plant is lemongrass. Try planting some peppermint near your house.
The strong scent will keep the fleas away. You can also add 8 drops of lemongrass oil to 16 ounces of water to make a natural flea spray.
Another one that’s great for repelling fleas is lavender. This is a pretty plant that has a sweet smell, and it’s also one of the best plants for keeping away certain pests.
Other great repellent plants for this purpose include basil, sage, mint, catnip, citronella, chamomile, and fleawort.
7. Essential Oils
As you can see, essential oils are great for repelling certain pests, including fleas.
There are a few different ones that you can use: rosemary, cedarwood, lemongrass, clove, pennyroyal, or peppermint oil.
All of these are potent enough to repel and even kill fleas.
To use essential oils to get rid of fleas, mix a few drops (one oil or a combination) with water. Then just spritz the mixture onto your dog’s coat or cat’s fur.
You can make a natural flea repellent for humans. Just combine 5 drops of thyme oil or myrtle oil with a cup of carrier oil and rub it onto your skin.
8. Lemon Spray
Mix equal parts lemon juice and water. Then give it a good shake in a spray bottle. You’re now 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 their eyes. Let your pet air-dry.
You can also use this citrus fruit to make a natural flea deterrent for the house. Cut a lemon into thin slices and add them to a pint of water. Bring to a boil then turn off the heat.
Finally, let it sit for about 12 hours before using it to spray your sofas, pet bedding, and other necessary items/places in your home.
9. Coconut Oil
The great thing about coconut oil is that you can use it to prevent fleas. Just apply a small amount to your pet’s skin and rub it all over.
The lauric acid in it will naturally kill fleas and get them under control.
10. Vacuuming
Since fleas and their eggs can slip into crevices and small spaces, it’s important to vacuum your home at least once a week.
Vacuum all the nooks and crannies—including under furniture, chairs, beds, and in the corners of the room.
Also, be sure to throw away the vacuum cleaner bag or empty the canister immediately after vacuuming, so that the fleas don’t re-infest your home.
11. Clean House Thoroughly
To help get rid of flea infestations, the first step is to clean your house as best as you can. This means vacuuming and sweeping every nook and cranny.
It’s also important to wash your pet’s bedding and toys and to treat their fur with a flea-killing shampoo. Plus, you might want to try using a steam cleaner to kill any adults, larval fleas, and eggs hiding deep within carpets.
12. Get Rid Of Damp Areas
Fleas like outdoor areas that are shady and damp, so remove excess mulch, twigs, and dead leaves from your garden. Also, try to allow as much sunlight as possible to enter your garden and backyard.
You can also use a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture from areas inside your home.
13. Flea Comb
When it comes to flea removal, a flea comb is your best friend. Dip the comb in soapy water then run the comb through the pet’s fur.
Not only does it help get rid of the little buggers, but it’s also great for keeping 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 of it, so they’ll stay away if you use it on your pets.
So, add 2 tablespoons of ACV to every quart of water and use it to mist your pet’s coat.
15. Beneficial Nematodes
These tiny creatures are parasitic roundworms that you can use to control certain pests [1], including fleas.
Beneficial nematodes can be found online or at most garden stores, and they’re easy to apply. You just mix them with water and spray them on the areas where you see fleas.
The nematodes will get into the soil and start to work their magic to kill fleas as larvae and pupae while still in the soil.
16. Boric Acid
Boric acid works by dehydrating the larval stage of fleas. Sprinkle some onto carpeted areas and brush it in.
Leave it for a few days before vacuuming it up.
17. Mow Lawn
Fleas like to 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 that are known to kill fleas and other pests like centipedes, ticks, ants, and chiggers within minutes after application.
Use it around your home and garden but do not spray plants directly as it will cause leaf burn.
19. Harris Plug-In Flea & Insect Trap
Harris 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 will attract the critters. They will then get trapped by the glue board. Replace the glue board when it’s full.
Takeaway
As you can see, the good news is that there are lots of ways to eliminate fleas naturally, without using harsh chemicals. Try one or a combination of these methods to see which works best for you and your pet.
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