There are many methods to help combat fleas and treatments don’t have to mean dousing your four-legged friend in nasty chemicals, either.
Here are a few natural home remedies that can help you and your pets enjoy a life without the frustration of these bugs:
1. Dish soap
Dish soap is the first front for kicking fleas to the curb. Nothing can match everyone’s favorite grease cutting dish soap when it comes to helping stop a flea infestation at the source. Dawn is powerful enough to send fleas fleeing with a single dip, but gentle enough for use on even the most fragile of pets, including kittens.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda is another mighty tool in the fight against fleas. The idea behind this remedy is simple but powerful. Sprinkle it into carpets infested with fleas and wait. The powder helps kill the fleas by dehydrating the larva and eggs, which helps stop their life cycle. Vacuum the floors and the dead flea eggs and larva go out the door with the dirt.
3. DIY lemon spray
Lemon spray makes another great natural remedy for combating fleas. Lemon juice contains a chemical so powerful at repelling fleas that they use it in commercial flea repellent solutions. This natural remedy not only helps drive away fleas, but it also freshens the air. Fleas hate the chemical extract, D-limonene, that is present in citrus extract.
4. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is another natural remedy to rid the home of fleas. This is one of the messiest, but most effective natural flea remedies. Much like the baking soda technique, diatomaceous earth is a powder that works by dehydrating the flea larvae and eggs. It also attacks the exoskeleton of adult fleas.
5. Flea-repelling plants
There are many flea repellant plants but a great deal of them can be toxic to four legged friends. Some great options that are safe around pets but sure to drive the fleas the other way includes mint, catnip, and sage. Rosemary, chamomile, lavender, and lemongrass have also shown great effect at keeping fleas at bay while not being dangerous to pets. Planting these aromatic herbs will not only deter the fleas but will make your yard smell great and several are suitable for cooking.
