If you are a pet owner then you must be aware of woes of flea infestation. Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on warm blooded vertebrates such as dogs, cats, rabbits, (common household pets) and they can also bite humans.

Although, flea bites are not very painful, but they cause itchiness and swelling around the bitten area which can be especially agonizing for kids and babies.

While, flea borne diseases are very rare, they are considered vectors for various diseases, so it is best to take instant action if you spot fleas, flea eggs or larva in or around your house or on your pets.

Professional pest control services can help to fully remove flea infestation from your home, but if you have kids and pets in your house and don’t want to use harsh chemicals in your home then here are a few non-toxic home remedies to get rid of fleas.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas

Dish Soap Flea Trap – This is flea trap prepared by mixing some dish soap in some water and placing bowls of this mixture in all the rooms. The water and soap solution traps the flea due to its high viscosity.

Usage:

• Take a few flat plates and bowls
• Add warm water and dish soap solution to these containers
• Place them in each of your rooms, under the bed, etc.
• Light a tea candle at the middle of the plate or bowl
• The flea will get attracted towards the fire and jump into the bowls

Tip – It is best to try out this remedy at night because fleas tend to come out in the night.

Caution – Be careful with the fire and don’t place it within the reach of children and pets.

Herbal Flea Spray – Prepare a flea spray using natural ingredients found in your pantry and spray it in and around your home.

Preparation:

• Take a large spray bottle
• Add 1 liter each of water and white vinegar to it
• Now add 500ml packed lemon juice and 250ml witch hazel to it

Usage:

• Clean your house thoroughly
• Spray this herbal flea spray inside your house (under the bed, furniture, on the curtains, your pet’s bedding, garden, etc.)

Salt – This is an affordable and easily available flea killer that works as a dehydrating agent. It dries out the flea eggs and kills them.

Usage:

• Take fine salt in a salt shaker
• Sprinkle it in the flea infested areas of your home and affected areas of your pet
• Leave it for 12 hours and then clean up

Lemon Spray – This is yet another nontoxic flea spray that kills the pests and refreshes your house and pet’s fur. Fleas are repelled by the citrus aromas and acidic nature of lemons, so even if it doesn’t kill them it will definitely help to get rid of them.

Usage:

• Slice a lemon thinly
• Add it to a liter of water and bring the water to boil
• Let the citrus solution sit overnight and then stray and pour it in a spray bottle
• Spray this solution on your pet’s body and in your house

Diatomaceous earth – Diatomaceous earth (DE) is the microscopic remains of fossilized algae called diatoms. It is a very fine powder that can be spread around easily and it is non-toxic to humans and pets. The cell walls of these algae are made of silica which is a component of glass. The sharp edges of the fossilized diatoms cut through the shells of the fleas and dry them out.

Usage:

• Clean your house thoroughly
• Now, sprinkle Diatomaceous earth to the areas where you think fleas might hide
• Leave it in for 12 to 24 hours
• Now, vacuum away all the DE powder and clean up the vacuum bag

Precaution – Always use food grade DE. Use proper eye protection and cover your nose and mouth while using it because, although non-toxic, it can irritate the eyes and throat.

Baking soda – Baking soda also works as a natural dehydrating agent that dries out the flea eggs and larva and kills them even before they can hatch.

Usage:

• Sprinkle baking soda all over the house, over and under your carpets, under the furniture, in your pet’s bedding, etc.
• Leave it for 12 to 24 hours
• Now, vacuum your house and all the areas treated with baking soda
• Empty the contents of the vacuum bag outside in a trash bin

Boric Acid – Boric acid works in a similar way like salt and baking soda and helps to eliminate fleas by drying out the eggs and adult fleas.

Usage:

• Vacuum your carpets and floors and clean your house thoroughly
• Take a salt shaker
• Fill it up with boric acid
• Sprinkle it in thin layers all over the house, on the carpet, under furniture, etc.
• Leave it for 12 to 24 hours
• Now, vacuum all the surfaces treated with boric acid

Caution – Although, boric acid has extremely low levels of toxicity but it is best to keep away your kids and pets from the areas that are being treated with it.

Rosemary Flea Powder – This is a potent organic flea control powder that is safe for humans as well as animals and it has no side-effects. Although, there herbs are not potent enough to kill fleas, but they sure work as flea repellents and help to keep them away.

Usage

• Take dried rosemary, rue, wormwood, fennel and peppermint leaves
• Add all the ingredients in a mortal or coffee grinder and grind to form a fine powder
• Sprinkle this powder on your carpet, pet’s bedding, your bed, under the furniture, window sills, etc.

Flea repelling plants – You can plant flea repelling plants in your garden, yard and keep some pots inside your house to prevent flea infestations. The aroma, chemicals, oils and compounds present in these plants repel fleas.

Best flea repelling plants:

• Chrysanthemums
• Lavender
• Spearmint
• Sage
• Rosemary

Eucalyptus Oil – Eucalyptus oil is a great alternative to pesticides that repels fleas because of its strong and sharp aroma. It can also eradicate scaled insects and mites.

Usage:

• Add 2 tablespoons of eucalyptus oil to 1 liter of water
• Pout this solution in a spray bottle
• Spray it throughout your house, inside your garage and in the garden

Preventive Measures to Keep Fleas in Check

• Maintain your yard/garden – If your house has a yard or garden then it is important to keep it well-maintained in order to prevent pleas and ticks from setting up permanent foothold around your house. Trim the grass and shrubs often and prevent wild animals such as racoons and feral cats from entering your yard.
• Keep your carpets/rugs clean – Take special care to keep your carpets, rugs and pet bedding clean because these are the areas where fleas like to linger and lay their eggs. Make it a point to vacuum your carpets and rugs at least once a week.
• Run Flea-checks – Every time your dog or cat goes outside, make it a point to run a flea-check when they return home by running a flea comb through your pet’s fur.
• Keep your home clean – Try to vacuum your floors, especially under furniture as frequently as possible.
• Preventive measures for pets – Even if your pets don’t have flea, wash them with any mild flea treatment shampoo occasionally.

While there natural remedies can help you to get rid of fleas in your house, but it is best to use everything in moderation. Although, essential oils and herbal proponents are not toxic but too much of these ingredients may irritate or trouble your pets, especially cats. So, don’t use too much of anything and if you are in doubt then check with your vet before using any remedy.