Fleas are tiny flightless insects. They survive as external parasites that live by consuming the blood of birds and mammals. With their strong legs, these small critters can also jump as high as 13 inches.
Fleas can be extremely troublesome. They can hurt your pet and lurk in your space. They can also pose certain health hazards since they can carry and spread diseases and parasites, like tapeworms.
If you have a flea infestation in your home, it’s crucial to address it right away. Here are a few natural remedies you can use for any pesky fleas staying in your house:
Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda, is widely used in baking. Its usefulness doesn’t stop there, however; it can also be used as an effective home remedy for killing fleas.
To use baking soda, sprinkle it on your furniture or carpet. Using a brush, rub it into the fabric. Vacuum all surfaces thoroughly and immediately empty the contents into a bag. Dispose of it in a trash can outside your home.
Cedar Oil
Cedar oil is extracted from the bark, berries, leaves, and needles of cedar trees. Among many other uses, this oil is also an ingredient in insect repellents. You can apply cedar oil topically as a natural remedy for fleas on pets.
Make sure to dilute it before using it on your pet. To take these pests out from your dog or cat, create a mixture by adding 3 to 5 drops of cedar oil with 1 to 3 teaspoons of water. Douse your pet’s collar with 5 to 10 drops of said mixture and reapply it once a week.
Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is another home remedy you can use to repel fleas and other insects.
Turn your home into a pest-free environment by creating a mixture of citronella oil and other essential oils. Add 5 drops of geranium oil, 10 drops of tea tree oil, 10 drops of lemongrass oil, and 20 drops of citronella oil to warm water. Soak a mop in this solution and mop your home. Redo and wipe again when you need to do so.
Note that citronella is toxic to pets. Take caution when using this around them. Rinse your floors before you let your pets into the room. If you don’t want to take the risk, there are other alternatives.
Flea-Repelling Plants
There are many benefits of caring for plants in your home. Not only can they improve the indoor air quality, but they can also help reduce stress and enhance the beauty of your surroundings.
Another advantage is that some plants are natural remedies for fleas. Certain kinds of plants have chemicals, compounds, and oils that fleas despise and will actively avoid. All you need to do is to place them in pots or flower beds and put them in or around your home. Here are some flea-repelling plants you can keep:
- Chrysanthemums – These beautiful plants come in different hues and can give your place a splash of colour. Additionally, chrysanthemums contain pyrethrum, a chemical that acts as a natural insecticide for fleas. It attacks the nervous systems of all insects.
- Lavender – If you want to freshen your room, try using lavender. Lavender is typically used for aromatherapy since it gives off a fragrant and relaxing scent. It can also effectively ward off fleas, mosquitoes, and moths.
- Mint – While you would usually apply mint as a garnish to your food or drink, this plant is also useful to drive away fleas. The refreshing smell of mint may be pleasing for humans, but it’s too much for them.
Dish Soap
Did you know that you can also use dish soap to wipe out fleas? You can create a flea trap with some water and dish soap. It is a high-viscosity solution that acts as a glue to trap and drown fleas.
Fill a plate with a mixture of water and a cap full of dish soap during nighttime. You can trap more fleas at night since they’re nocturnal creatures. Position it in the areas of your home with high flea activity. You can also put a small lit tealight candle in the middle of the plate; you’ll have to keep a close eye on it so it does not turn into a fire hazard. Repeat this daily with a fresh batch.
Salt
Salt can season and flavour your food, and it plays a part in food preservation. It also happens to be a natural remedy for fleas. It essentially acts as a dehydration agent, which means it can help you treat adult fleas.
Take some finely ground salt and sprinkle it all over your carpets in each room of your home. Let it rest for 1 to 2 days. Vacuum all carpet and areas of your home thoroughly. Once you’ve finished, empty all contents directly into a trash can outside your home.
Deep Cleaning
If your home has a flea infestation, try deep cleaning. There’s a possibility that the flea eggs, cocoons, and larvae are spread all over your house. A thorough clean can get rid of any remnants and put a stop to their invasion.
However, you should not limit this to your living space alone. You’ll also have to treat your pets, the areas they frequent, your garden, and other structures in your property.
Home Cleaning
Here are some things you can do to eliminate fleas from your home:
- Vacuum – Use a powerful vacuum with a bag you can throw without having to come in contact with its contents. Vacuum your floors, mattresses, and upholstery. Check tight spaces and cracks where fleas can hide.
- Steam clean – Use a steam cleaner, since combining soap and high heat can remove fleas in all stages of life. Apply this on carpets, pet beds, and upholstery. Don’t forget the areas where your pet usually lies down.
- Wash – Using hot water, wash all of the bedding, including your pets’. Dry them at the highest heat setting available. You might have to get rid of your old bedding if the flea infestation is extreme.
Lawn Cleaning
Here are home remedies for removing fleas living in your lawn:
- Mow and rake – Fleas like hiding in shady and warm areas in your yard. Mow your lawn and rake the exposed surfaces thoroughly. Put all the contents in a bag instead of adding them into a compost pile.
- Remove debris – It’s crucial to bring these pests to sunlight, so remove all debris you can find from under the bushes and from flower beds. They can use dead leaves and twigs to shelter them from the light.
- Spread cedar chips – Take note of your pets’ favourite areas in your garden. Spread cedar chips to remove fleas.
Fleas are more than a simple nuisance. The threat they pose to your health makes them a hazard. Fortunately, you can get rid of them by taking the appropriate steps. Treating your home, pet, and garden simultaneously can also help prevent them from taking over again.
However, if the infestation seems unmanageable or persists even with the right remedies, it’s time to call in the professionals. For excellent pest control services, look no further than JDM Pest Control. For inquiries or for a quote, call us at (416)-729-3568 or email us at joe@jdmpestcontrol.ca.