If you own a pet, it’s inevitable that at some point you will come into contact with fleas. Whether you find a flea on your pet, in your home, or in your yard, you’ll need to act quick because these parasitic pests multiply fast. You won’t always have chemicals on hand to treat a flea problem, and even if you did, chemicals can be dangerous if used incorrectly. And perhaps you rather go the more natural route anyway. Either way, it’s good to have a few do-it-yourself home remedies for fleas up your sleeve.

Home Remedies for Fleas on Your Pet

You’ve found a flea on your furry friend and you are ready to handle it with a home remedy. Here are some suggestions to fight fleas without using harsh chemicals.

It’s not necessary to run out and buy special shampoos to rid your pet of fleas. Give your four-legged pal a bath using dish detergent. Or you can use a common shampoo like Head and Shoulders to kill off the pests. Start scrubbing your dog or cat on the neck area to prevent fleas from seeking higher ground on the head.

Make your own treatments like flea sprays or repellents. Apple cider vinegar naturally repels fleas. Mix warm water with apple cider vinegar (2/3 cup warm water to one cup vinegar) and add in 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Use a spray bottle to apply this mixture to your pet once a week, making sure to coat the fur and underbelly.

You can also create your own flea collars using essential oils like citronella, lavender, or eucalyptus. Simply add a few drops of the oil to your dog’s collar or to a bandana that you place around his neck. If you do this weekly, it should help keep away uninvited guests.

Home Remedies for Fleas in Your House

If you’ve found a flea on your pet, chances are they are taking up residence in your home. Fleas like to make themselves comfy in your carpets, furniture upholstery, and bedding materials. When this happens, your new best friend is likely to be your vacuum cleaner or dryer.

A thorough vacuuming helps get rid of fleas as well as their larvae and eggs. But you can use some common household ingredients like salt or boric acid to make this method more effective. Sprinkle one of these ingredients all over infested carpets and fabrics, using a brush or broom to work it in deep. Wait a day or two, and then thoroughly vacuum again. You may need to repeat this process. Remember to completely seal up the vacuum bag each time and dispose of it  outside immediately.

Treat your pet’s bedding, and yours if necessary, by washing it and running it through the dryer on high heat for at least 20 minutes. This should kill fleas, larvae, and eggs.

Set up dehumidifiers in an infested room. Fleas like a humid environment and by using a dehumidifier, you make your home less inviting for them. After a couple of days, vacuum thoroughly to get rid of the dead insects and any remaining eggs.

Home Remedies for Fleas in the Yard

Your furry friend probably found fleas in the great outdoors, and sometimes that means as close as your own yard. Battling these blood-sucking bugs in your backyard doesn’t have to involve chemicals. There are do-it-yourself solutions to help.

First, clean up your yard. When you get rid of empty plant pots, old outdoor furniture, and piles of leaves or rubbish, you take away places where fleas like to hide and lay eggs. Mow, trim, and prune to make sure it’s a sunny environment instead of a shady moist one.

The smell of cedar wood chips naturally repels fleas. Use the wood chips in with your mulch or create a border around the yard to discourage pests from hanging around.

Wash away fleas and their eggs by making your own flood. If you think your yard is infested, give it a good soaking with the hose.

Let us help you keep your home free of fleas and other pests. Contact Free Spray Lawn Care today at 419-529-5296.