If you’re a pet owner, it’s likely you’ve had to deal with fleas in the past. Or, if you haven’t, don’t count your lucky stars quite yet. It’s very possible you may face them in the future.
The thing about fleas is that they reproduce amazingly fast. If you don’t take care of flea issues, they can infest your home in a short time. This will make it more challenging to get rid of them.
Whether your pet has fleas now or you just want to prepare in case they catch fleas down the road, here are some great flea home remedies.
DIY Flea Trap
This is one of those flea home remedies that require almost no supplies and works surprisingly well in getting rid of fleas.
Get a bowl and fill it with warm water mixed with dish soap. Put one bowl in every room where fleas tend to be most active. If you want to increase the effectiveness, place a lit candle in the middle of the trap. Fleas are attracted to light and will jump into it.
The fleas that jump into the bowl will get stuck in there due to the thick water/soap solution. Repeat this every day until you feel the fleas are gone or combine this method with another DIY solution.
Baking Soda and Vacuuming
Did you know that the majority of flea infestations are in the carpet? This is exactly why vacuuming can help reduce the number of fleas like nothing else can. Add some baking soda to vacuuming and you’ll reduce the number even more.
Simply sprinkle baking soda onto your carpet and use some sort of brush to rub it down into the carpet fibers. Then, vacuum thoroughly.
Once you’re finished vacuuming, take the vacuum bag out of the vacuum and put it in the outside trash.
Lemons
Create a lemon spray to apply to your floor and pieces of furniture. Boil some water and add a sliced lemon. Turn off and let it soak in there for the night.
In the morning, put the citrus liquid into a spray bottle and start spraying the areas in your home most affected by fleas.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
When fleas come in contact with the powder, its active ingredient grabs hold of the exoskeleton of the flea, causing them to dehydrate.
Be sure that you purchase the food-grade diatomaceous. Wear a face mask when applying it as it can irritate your throat or eyes.
Simply sprinkle the powder over areas that have a lot of fleas. Just put a little bit of the powder down. Let it sit there for two days and then vacuum thoroughly.
Borax
Borax works a lot like DE.
Apply as you would DE, sprinkling it on the carpet, letting it set, and vacuuming thoroughly. Keep the area ventilated and wear a face mask as the powder is dusty.
Please note that you should not use Borax on your pet because it’s toxic.
Salt
Some people use salt to dry out flea eggs and kill fleas, though results do vary. Some people mix in some baking soda as well to reduce the number of fleas.
Sprinkle some table salt in areas of your home where fleas are most active. Rub it down into the carpet fibers, let it set for a couple of days, and vacuum thoroughly.
DIY Flea Solution Spray
Creating an herbal spray is a great option as well. Before you spray your home, do a thorough vacuum of each room and furniture. Get a spray bottle and combine ½ cup of vinegar, ½ cup of water, juice of one lemon, and ½ cup witch hazel. Spray the solution to your floors, furniture, windowsills, and any beds you have for your pets.
Essential Oils
Some people find that the scent of certain essential oils repel fleas, such as the citric fruit oils. Try lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, cedarwood, citronella, and tea tree for starters. Apply to various areas around your home, but be careful about applying it directly into your pet.
Most essential oils are not recommended for cats or dogs. A great way to use oils is to have a diffuser or use a spray bottle to spritz the home with the aromas. It may smell good to you, but fleas may not dig the smell at all and evacuate your home.
See Also: 10 Essential Oils You Should Have at Home
Give these wonderful flea home remedies a try and see what works for you. If you find that your flea problems don’t go away, consider calling a pest control professional. They may be able to take care of your flea problem in no time and for a very affordable price. Fleas are actually one of the easier pests to get under control in a home, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help.