Fleas are the tiny terrors that make your poor pet, and you, scratch and itch. If you've had enough of paying out money hand over fist for chemical-laden treatments that just barely touch the problem of your fleas, then it's time to go au natural.
Before you chuck the flea collar and opt for that powerful potion, enter the world of natural remedies where these annoying parasites can be dispelled. Get ready to take on the fleas with some household heroes.
When you think of apple cider vinegar, you think of salad dressings. But it acts as a dynamo when it comes to fleas. The acidity of apple cider vinegar makes them pretty uncomfortable, hence in return acting as a great natural flea repellent.
You just have to mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After that, lightly mist your pet's fur, avoiding the eyes and face. This simple solution can also be sprinkled around your house to get the fleas that have invaded your living space.
2. Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth may sound like a named substance featured in a sci-fi novel, but this natural powder does so much for fleas. This powder works just to dehydrate the fleas and the eggs. It is formed from the fossilized remains of algae.
You can sprinkle it in carpets and in pet bedding, and anywhere else the flea infestations are active. Allow it to sit there for hours or even overnight to get a good time working.
Essential oils- they're more or less like nature's own little black dress- versatile and effective. Lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils keep the fleas away because of their strong smell
To create a solution, you have to mix a few drops of this oil into a spray bottle of water.
Shake well and mist over your pet's fur and the surfaces in your home. Avoid the sensitive areas around the eyes and nose. Not all oils are safe for your furry friends, so make sure to consult your vet before choosing the ones to use.
Bring your home to the next level as a fortress of citrus against these natural flea-repelling powers. Citrus fruits can not only easily and effectively deter fleas but are also very easy to acquire or produce. Slice up a lemon and steep it in boiling water.
Strain and pour it into a spray bottle. Mist around the home in places that could be harboring unwanted flea visitors. Fleas and eggs detest acidity and the strong scent the lemon packs, making them undesirable to be around
5. Use Salt
Although salt is a staple in the kitchen, it's a natural flea fighter. Dehydrating properties make it very effective in your flea-fighting arsenal. Sprinkle fine salt over carpets, upholstery, and in pet bedding.
Let the salt do the work for 24-48 hours before vacuuming extensively to remove both the salt and the dehydrated fleas. Of course, this method is most effective if done in concert with other flea control strategies.
If you are wondering can baking soda kill fleas instantly? The answer is Yes. It is one common food item in your pantry with a secret flea-fighting superpower.
It works the same way as salt. It simply works by dehydrating the fleas. All you need to do is sprinkle it liberally over carpets, pet bedding, and other flea-prone areas. Let it lie there for a few hours or overnight. Next up you can vacuum up and clean to get the all dead fleas out.
7. Neem Oil
Neem oil, extracted from the seeds of neem trees, is a powerful natural insecticide that has always been used to combat a range of pests, including fleas. Its major active compounds, like azadirachtin, act as growth and reproduction challenges to fleas, making it very repellent.
Dilute in a carrier oil, previously mentioned coconut oil, for further skin moisturizing when applying to a pet's skin. As a matter of fact, neem oil also helps soothe irritated skin.
Sometimes, old school is good. The flea comb is a simple yet effective device to remove the fleas and their eggs physically from your pet's fur. Comb your dog over a white towel so that one can easily identify the fleas and then scrub them off with your fingers.
Evidence shows that consistent combing could leave a very small population of fleas on your pet, though it could work effectively when done in conjunction with other natural remedies.
9. Vacuuming
Vacuuming frequently helps remove the fleas, eggs, and larvae from carpets, pet beddings, sofa, chairs and more. And what's better? It is one of the easiest methods of controlling fleas.
This should be done by immediately emptying the vacuum bag or canister after use to prevent putting the fleas back into your home. Try combining it with the following remedies for a broader approach to how to get rid of fleas.
10. Herbal Flea Collar
Why purchase commercial flea collars when you can make your own? Make a natural flea collar using rosemary and thyme herbs. Just place some dried herbs in a little cloth sack or wrap them up in a bandanna your pet can wear.
The fragrance of the herbs helps keep the fleas away and adds a touch of herbal flair to your pet's accessory.
Now, cedar chips mean a lot more to you than just a bedding material to make your small animal cozy. They pack a punch in flea control. In its oil makeup, cedar contains oils fleas and other insects detest, so it makes for a great deterrent.
The aromatic oils of cedar release this lovely, pleasant smell of wood that is great inside your home but awful to fleas. This would mean sprinkling them into flea-prone areas, such as corners, around furniture, and along baseboards.
12. Cucumber Slices
Fleas do not like cucumbers, and so placing some cucumber slices within the house would be a good way to ward them off. As a matter of fact, it works very effectively, especially around places, such as around pet bedding or on the seams of floorboards.
While cucumbers won't rid you of a full-blown flea infestation, they could be just the addition needed to make a difference in your flea control. Consider the cucumber to be a natural type barrier that will make your home the less attractive option for fleas looking to set up camp.
13. Rosemary
Rosemary is another culinary herb with a very strong, invigorating smell that also works well as a natural flea repellant. Fresh rosemary sprigs boiled in water for about 30 minutes create a strong homemade flea repellant. Fill a spray bottle with the strained, cooled mixture.
Spray areas at your home and on items like carpets, couches, or anything else where they might thrive with the herbal spray; you should even mist your pet's bedding. The pungent, aromatic smell of rosemary importantly repels fleas.
Garlic is known to be a remedy for many different types of pests, including fleas. Just a small addition to your pet's food will make your pet quite undesirable to fleas through the creation of a defense system from the inside out.
Garlic will give off certain compounds through your pet's skin that repel fleas from latching on. However, garlic should be used with caution. While quite effective, excessive garlic can be toxic to pets, mostly cats. So, it's always a good idea to consult your vet before giving your pet.
15. Regular Pet Baths
Of course, nothing beats a good bath in terms of keeping those pesky fleas at bay. Bathing will help your pet be clean and free from the sheer inconvenience brought by fleas and their eggs in their fur. It is best to use gentle, pet-safe shampoo.
Take it to the next level in fighting fleas by adding a few drops of some essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus into the bathwater. Some of these oils would repel fleas, while others will make your pet very relaxing.
Why Go Natural on Fleas?
1. Safety for the Pets and People
Generally speaking, natural flea treatments possess the potential of being much safer for pets and people alike compared to many chemical products. Most traditional medicine meant for fleas is made up of strong chemicals, which, if ingested or inhaled, might be dangerous to health.
On the other hand, essential oils, baking soda, and vinegar are organic treatments and will not cause any toxic responses to build up in anyone. That is great, particularly for homes that have pets, young children, or members who have very sensitive chemical sensitivity.
2. Lower Chemical Exposure
Natural flea remedies keep chemical exposure to a minimum, further keeping a healthier range of the home environment. Most conventional flea medicines consist of harsh chemicals that can be quite hazardous if exposed to the skin, inhaled, or ingested.
Natural alternatives afford you to avoid these harsh chemicals and adopt a healthier, more environmentally considerate approach. The decrease in the amount of chemicals used benefits not only your family and pets' health but also makes your living space cleaner and safer.
3. Environmentally Safe
Most natural flea medications have a smaller ecological effect compared to synthetic chemicals. Many natural treatments make use of biodegradable components, hence less potential danger to the surrounding environment.
This goes together with the marvels you desire to keep by saving the environment and making sure that all your approaches to controlling fleas do not lead to environmental degradation.
Natural flea control methods are considered more economical than chemicals used in various commercially available products. Common household items like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils can be part of having control over fleas much better, and most often, they become more economical compared to buying store products.
This makes natural remedies quite affordable for flea management, making them preferable for those who aim at managing the problem in the event of small infestations at no larger cost. The savings in costs can be quite significant, especially when natural remedies are used on a routine basis in preventive measures.
5. Holistic Approach
More often than not, natural flea remedies take a holistic approach to pest control. Instead of focusing only on the killing of fleas, they also address the environment in which the fleas live.
It's much better for controlling flea populations and avoiding reinfestations with this multifaceted approach. Natural products provide comprehensive solutions, handling both the fleas and their sources.
6. Benefits of Prevention
Some natural remedies might not even help fight the already-infested fleas but also offer preventive measures. Among such natural remedies are essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and citronella.
By using these natural repellents regularly, pests such as fleas and further infestations are less likely to occur. It's this preventative benefit that makes the use of natural remedies more proactive in giving and keeping a flea-free home and reducing the likelihood of recurring problems.
7. Greater Personal Control
Natural methods of flea control offer more personal control over the ingredients and products used. This can be very valuable, especially to those who prefer to avoid man-made synthetic substances or those with specific concerns about the chemical makeup of commercial flea treatments.
You can opt for the most suitable product you feel complements your taste and values, and also that you can confidently claim to be at ease with the types of substances being used in your home.
8. Efficacy in Low-Grade Infestations
Natural remedies do appear fairly efficient to manage and control flea populations under instances of minor flea infestation. Administered together with proper cleanliness, natural solutions such as baking soda and vinegar tend to be effective in improving and reducing flea problems.
These solutions are not always effective in offering a quick fix, but they may be a proper response to cases of infestation that are less serious. It is easy to note the effects of fleas in your home, but with early detection and constant application of natural solutions, their effects will be reduced.
Some Facts on Fleas
1. Fantastic Jumpers
Fleas are notorious for their fascinating jumping abilities. They can jump 150 times their body length - it is equivalent to a man jumping over a skyscraper.
They achieve this through powerful leg muscles and other parts of the anatomy important in propelling them with immense force into the air.
Fleas are obligate blood-feeders; they feed only on blood. They can ingest as much as 15 times their weight in blood daily. This high volume of blood is taken to promote reproduction and good health.
When taking blood, the fleas pierce the skin of the animal or human with specialized mouthparts, a process that brings discomfort and itching to the animal or human through irritation.
3. Rapid Reproducers
Fleas are well known to reproduce very quickly. For instance, a single female flea can reproduce up to 50 eggs in one day, and probably even 2,000 eggs in her life span. Such eggs are mostly laid in the host's environment, on carpets, bedding, or furniture.
This high rate of reproduction results in a very fast proliferation of fleas and may explain as to why infestation could be hard to control.
4. Survivors
During their life cycle, the pupa is a very resistant flea stage. They can stay in a resting phase for months until they sense an opportunity to emerge. Temperature, humidity, and host availability activate dormancy.
This survival strategy, therefore, confers the ability to bide out poor conditions, and then emerge when conditions improve.
5. Ancient Pests
The flea is indeed a very ancient creature, with over 100 million years of history to it. They existed with the dinosaurs and other creatures of prehistoric times. Their very existence then attests to their evolutionary success and flexibility.
The existence of fossil records shows that very few changes have taken place in the flea species throughout millions of years; this attests to the successful ability of the flea to survive various environmental swings and host changes.
6. Small but Resilient
Although they are small, adult fleas are relatively tough. At only 1/8 inch in length, their hard exoskeleton affords them a great deal of resistance to both physical damage and desiccation.
That hard exoskeleton, coupled with their sheer size, is a main factor in the resistance of fleas to being squished or otherwise physically removed, rendering them quite successful at staying around as pests.
7. Vectors of Disease
Historically, several dangerous diseases have been vectored by the flea. More importantly, fleas spread the Bubonic plague in the 14th century, a pandemic that claimed millions of lives in Europe.
Fleas will carry and transfer several pathogens, including protozoa and bacteria, which may harbor health hazards for animals and also for human beings.
8. Short Lifespan
Typically, the longevity of the adult flea is from 2 to 3 months. However, under the most favorable conditions, adult fleas can live for over a year. Longevity varies greatly among the different species. It depends on the availability of host, environment, and food. Fleas must feed continually to remain healthy and reproduce.
Fleas are known to have a variation of host preferences; some species are more specific to one animal compared to others. For instance, the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common species of flea to be found on cats and, beyond that, even dogs.
While fleas do jump from one host to another, often the preferences can determine flea control measures and host efficacy expectations of treatments.
10. Temperature Sensitive
These parasites survive well in warm and humid environments, conditions quite conducive to their development and survival. Under freezing conditions, they are rendered inactive and their survival is just minimal.
Such temperature dependency affects their distribution and activity, therefore giving people a bit more headache in controlling fleas in changing climatic regions.
