Natural Ways to Get Rid of Fleas

Fleas are minute blood sucking parasites that thrive on the body of mammals and birds. There are cat fleas, dog fleas and even human fleas (survive on the body of humans, especially, on the hair). Apart from transmitting diseases, fleas can also infest your home. Flea infestation in the home is mostly caused by pets, who carry these parasites on their furry body. Once they gain entry into the house, fleas settle on comfortable locations, like, carpets, upholstery, crack and crevices, etc. Once you notice signs of flea infestation of your house, you have to take prompt action to get rid of them. There are various chemical products designed for flea extermination, but, they may sometimes prove to be of no use, as a first line of defense against these blood sucking parasites. Here are some natural ways to get rid of fleas in the house.

How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally

As mentioned above, there are numerous natural remedies for fleas. While, some of them are effective in getting rid of fleas from your pet's body, some others can be used for fighting flea infestation of the house. If you have fleas in your house, the very first thing to do is clean the interiors and premises thoroughly. At the same time, take measures to get rid of these parasites on your pet's body. The following are some natural ways to get rid of fleas from your house as well as your pet's body.

Baking Soda - Salt Mixture: As the carpet is one of the common shelters for fleas, you have to take special care to eliminate these parasites from it. One of the natural remedies for fleas in carpet is with the help of baking soda and salt. Take equal amounts of salt and baking soda and mix them well, before sprinkling on the carpet. Keep it overnight and vacuum the carpet the next day. It is said that these products will dehydrate and kill fleas. This is one of the effective natural ways to get rid of fleas, but, make sure that the carpet does not get wet, during this period.

Diatomaceous Earth: Made from crushed seashells, diatomaceous earth is another product that is said to dehydrate and kill fleas. You can sprinkle this powder on the carpet, furniture, etc., before vacuuming the interiors. You may also sprinkle diatomaceous earth, all over the yard, to prevent flea infestation. You may also plant some herbs, like, lavender, pennyroyal, mint, etc., in your yard, as one of the natural ways to get rid of fleas in your home.

Other Natural Remedies: Leaves of eucalyptus tree and cedar wood chips are said to have properties that repel fleas. So, keep such things in different parts of the house, especially, those with heavy flea infestation. Even essential oils are said to act as natural flea repellents. You can use, lavender oil, citronella oil, or eucalyptus oil, on the body of your pet, so as to get rid of fleas. You may add a few drops of these oils, while, rinsing the bedding of your pet.

Cleaning Measures

Once you notice signs of flea infestation in your home, you have to start cleaning the house. Vacuum every nook and corner, including the furniture, upholstery, carpet, etc. Quarantine your infested pet. Bathe such pets with shampoo with a small amount of dish wash soap and lukewarm water. Use flea combs to remove the parasites from its body. You may also use herbal flea collars with essential oils for flea control. Vacuum the house regularly and keep some borax in the vacuum bag, so as to kill the fleas. Place flea traps at different parts of the house.

In short, the above said natural ways to get rid of fleas are found to be effective and are commonly used by people to get rid of these blood sucking parasites from the house as well as the body of their pets. In case of pets, you may use a mixture of white vinegar and water (in equal amounts) to spray on your pet's body, so as to kill fleas. Other natural ways to get rid of fleas are garlic or brewer's yeast (to be included in pet food) and apple cider vinegar (to be added to the drinking water meant for pet). You have to adopt a right combination of all these natural methods, so as to get of fleas from your house.