Find your pet scratching often? Or itchy red marks on your skin or your pets? You might want to check your house for a flea infestation.
Fleas are wingless insects that feed off the blood of animals and birds. These external parasites are 1.5-3mm long, agile, dark-colored and have a tube-like mouthpart adapted for piercing the skin and sucking blood from their prey. There are over 2000 species of fleas that cultivate and survive on warm vertebrates such as dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, and even humans.
There are over 2000 species of fleas that cultivate and survive on warm vertebrates such as dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, and even humans.
A flea infestation spreads like a forest fire. A single female flea lays about 10-50 eggs per day thus leading to a massive infestation. Only a small percentage of the eggs remain in the body of the host, rest drop anywhere and everywhere in the house.
Only a small percentage of the eggs remain in the body of the host, rest drop anywhere and everywhere in the house.
The eggs then turn into larvae, which is their most vulnerable stage. Hence, making it optimum to kill them during this stage.
Then they finally turn into fleas. Flea eggs can remain dormant for over a year making it seem that the house is pest free and then spread out of nowhere.
They can get into the nooks and crannies of the house, the carpet, furniture, shelves etc. making it really difficult to get rid of them. Fleas are a great nuisance to the pets and must be removed immediately to ensure their health as well as yours.
Therefore, one must check the house and the pets regularly for any sign of fleas and get rid of them as soon as possible.
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Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Fleas Naturally
There are a number of chemicals available in the market to get rid of fleas. One could even call the Pest Control services if things get out of hand.
However, the chemicals are not good for your health and especially for the health of your pet. Therefore, one could opt for simple home remedies to get rid of pests:
1.Vacuum Thoroughly
Vacuum all the areas of the house, especially the areas that don’t get much sunlight, carpets, upholstered furniture and any area where you find flea debris.
When the Vacuum bag is full, seal the trash in a plastic bag and dispose of outside and away from the house to prevent the little buggers from coming back inside.
2.Wash The Pet Bedding
Wash any bedding and linen that your pet uses in the washing machine or with hot water. Use a dryer or dry them in sunlight. Exposure to the high temperature will kill the fleas, larvae and eggs.
3.Soap Trap
This is the easiest way to get rid of fleas. Dishwashing liquid or Liquid Soap can be used to make the trap. Giving the pet a bath with a dishwashing liquid kills the fleas on its body.
How To Use Soap To Get Rid of Fleas?
- To make the soap trap, you need dishwashing liquid/liquid soap, warm water, candles, and a bowl.
- Place a bowl filled with warm water in the middle of every room or in the area where you’ve witnessed the fleas infesting.
- Add a good amount of the soap to the water and place a lit candle near the bowl.
- The fleas get attracted to the light from the candle and get trapped by the viscosity of the soap and die.
- Dispose the bodies and change the contents of the bowl every morning. Continue for 3-4 nights till the infestation stops.
- Be careful that the flame of the candle causes no harm to the living members or any belonging in the room.
4.Salt
Salt is commonly available in our households and is an inexpensive way to treat the fleas. Salt dehydrates the fleas and dries out their bodies, thus killing them.
How To Use Salt To Get Rid of Fleas?
- Sprinkle table salt or sea salt on the carpets and ensure that it seeps into the carpet. Leave it for 1-2 days and afterward, vacuum the area thoroughly.
- One could also sprinkle a pinch of salt of the affected areas of the pet and massage the area. Do not apply too much salt which could cause irritation to the skin.
5.Boric Acid
Boric Acid works as a dehydrating agent and works in a similar way to salt. It dries out the fleas, thus killing them.
How To Use Boric Acid To Get Rid of Fleas?
- Sprinkle Boric Acid on inside your house, on the furniture, carpet, floors, and in areas frequented by your pet.
- Let it remain for 12-48 hours, then vacuum the area thoroughly.
- Ensure proper care while using Boric Acid around kids and pets.
6.Baking Soda
Baking Soda works as a dehydrating agent and works in a similar way to salt. It dries out the fleas, thus killing them.
How To Use Baking Soda To Get Rid of Fleas?
- Sprinkle Baking Soda on inside your house, on the furniture, carpet, floors, and in areas frequented by your pet.
- Let it remain for 12-48 hours, then vacuum the area thoroughly.
- Ensure proper care while using Boric Acid around kids and pets.
7.Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is the microscopic remains of diatoms, fossilized algae. It is a very fine powder. The cell walls of Diatoms are made of silica which is a component of glass. The exoskeleton of fleas is vulnerable to the sharp edges of microscopic diatoms.
The silica shards in DE pierce through the hard shell of fleas and dry them out. This leads to the death of fleas as well as of their larvae. Food Grade DE is non-toxic to human beings and animals.
How To Use Diatomaceous Earth To Get Rid Of Fleas?
- Vacuum all the carpets and wash all the linen and bedding thoroughly with warm water.
- Sprinkle DE in places where the fleas may hide and leave it for about 12-48 hours.
- Later, vacuum the areas and discard the vacuum bag.
- DE can also be used in gardens and yards in large quantities.
Refrain from using the DE used for pool filtration. Always use the Food grade DE.
9.Pennyroyal Herb
European and American varieties of the Pennyroyal herb are used to treat the fleas. However, proper care and precaution must be taken while using the herb as it is toxic to the animals as well as humans when ingested.
How To Use Pennyroyal To Get Rid of Fleas?
- Grow a Pennyroyal plant in your garden. But safeguard the plant so that no animal or kids come in contact with the plant.
- Crush the leaves to release the oil and tie in the paste in a thin cloth. Plant the cloth in the area infected by the fleas away from the reach of your pets and children.
- Pour 1-3 drops of Pennyroyal Essential Oil on the collar of your pet and tie the collar around its neck in such a way that it does not come in contact with the pet’s skin. If it causes any allergic reaction or irritation to the pet, remove the collar immediately.
10.Rosemary
Rosemary can be used in the forms of a powder, essential oil or leaves to get rid of the fleas in the house. Its anti-inflammatory provides relief from the itching and scratching.
How To Use Rosemary To Get Rid Of Fleas?
- Boil in a handful of Rosemary leaves in water. Allow this water to cool and use it to give a bath to your dog. Don’t rinse and let the dog dry naturally.
- A couple drops of Rosemary Essential Oil can be placed on the collar of your pet ensuring that it does not come in contact with the skin of the pet.
- Grind Rosemary leaves into a powder and sprinkle in the areas frequented by the dog.
11.Citronella Oil
Citronella Essential Oil is a natural flea repellent and is safe to use directly on pets and humans. It also repels ticks, mosquitoes, flies etc.
How To Use Citronella Oil To Get Rid of Fleas?
- Mix the oil with warm water and use it to mop the floors thoroughly. You can also apply the oil on the skin of your pet.
- Other Essential Oils that can be used in a similar way are Cedarwood, Citrus, Tea Tree, Lavender, Geranium, Clove, Eucalyptus etc.
12.Lemon Spray
Slice a lemon and add it to a pint of boiling water. Let it remain overnight, and transfer it to a spray bottle in the morning. Spray the dog’s coat, behind his ears, under the pits and around his head. Be careful not to spray the liquid in his eyes.
13.Vinegar Spray
In a spray bottle, add ¼ white vinegar to ¾ water. Add one tbsp. Of dishwashing liquid and mix it. Spray it 1-2 times a week on your fabric to get rid of the fleas in them.
14.Dehumidifier
Setting up a dehumidifier in the room reduces the moisture content of the room. Fleas require 50% or higher relative humidity to survive. Setting the humidity in the room below 50% for a couple days will kill the fleas, larvae and the eggs. Later, vacuum the flea debris.
15.Homemade Flea Collar
Take the rope collar and rub a few drops of Tea Tree, Geranium, Lavender or Eucalyptus Oil on it. Avoid using the Essential Oils on Cats as they are highly sensitive to the oils.
16.Herbal Spray
Combine 5 drops each of Peppermint Oil, Citronella Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary Oil, and Eucalyptus Oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle. Mix it thoroughly and spray directly on your dog, his bedding, carpets and other linen around the house. The spray is completely safe for regular use.
17.Bathe Your Ret Regularly
Bathing regularly is an excellent way to get rid of the fleas. The acid in the shampoo kills the fleas. Use a neem, oatmeal or any good pet shampoo and lather it well on the skin.
Leave it for 10-15 mins before rinsing. Brush the dog regularly with any dog brush or use a Flea comb to get effective results. Brush regularly depending on the severity of the infestation.
Always keep your house clean. Taking preventive measure is always better than facing the flea infestation. Vacuum regularly and thoroughly. Regularly wash your bedding, linen and other fabric in the house.
Trim your lawn and weeds, expose any damp, moist areas to the sunlight. Even though most remedies are natural, consult a vet or a doctor before using them. Essential Oils, Pennyroyal etc. must be used carefully and in moderation. Avoid using Essential Oils on Cats. Do not hesitate to call the Pest Control services if the infestation gets out of hand.
