How to Get Rid of Fleas & Mites in the House

Fleas and some mites are parasites that live off from the blood of birds and mammals. Once these pests have occupied your house, it can be difficult to get rid of them. During the females’ lifetimes, a flea can lay over 500 eggs, and a mite can lay up to 100. The saliva of fleas and feces of mites can cause allergic reactions including rashes in some people and animals.

Things You'll Need

  • Cedar oil
  • Tea Tree oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Eucalyptus
  • Fennel
  • Marigolds
  • Mint oil or leaves
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Carpet shampooer
  • 20 Mule team borax
  • Carpet shampoo (pet formula)
  • Pet shampoo containing Permethrin and Precor
  • Indoor insecticide containing Permethrin and Precor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax on all of your carpets in the house and leave it overnight. It kills fleas by causing them to dehydrate. Do not allow children or pets to play on the carpet while it has borax on it. You may need to do one or two rooms at a time and close them off if you have many pets or small children.

    • 2

      Bathe all of your pets that live inside or come into the house. Use either a commercial flea shampoo containing Permethrin (to kill adult fleas) and Precor (IGR--Breaks the flea life cycle) or natural products to repel fleas. Some natural products are eucalyptus, fennel, tea tree oil, marigolds, lemon juice, mints, and wormwood. Steep some selected leaves in hot water to make a tea. Add some shampoo and selected oils to the tea mixture. Wash your pet with the mixture. Allow the mixture to soak on the animal for several minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

    • 3

      Comb your pet with a flea or lice comb. As you catch fleas in the comb dip it in vinegar to kill the fleas. When your pet is dry, apply a spot-on type insecticide between your pets’ shoulders.

    • 4

      Vacuum the areas where you sprinkled dry borax thoroughly. Also, vacuum your furniture. Be sure to empty the vacuum right away. You may want to put the debris from your bag-less vacuum or your vacuum bag, in a sealable plastic bag to prevent any escapees.

    • 5

      Use a commercial spray containing Permethrin and Precor that is for indoor use. If you prefer to use natural products, fill a spray bottle with your tea and selected oils mixture. Go through the house and mist curtains, rugs, furniture, and anything else you cannot put in the washer and dryer. If there is a specific area in the yard where your pet plays outside, spray that area as well to guard against re-infestation.

    • 6

      Shampoo rugs and carpets with pet formula carpet shampoo, but add a few teaspoons of cedar oil to the shampoo.

    • 7

      Wash all of your bedding, your pets’ bedding, throw pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and your furniture’s removable slipcovers. Add either your Permethrin and Precor shampoo or your natural tea and oil mixture to the regular laundry detergent. Laundered items that won’t be damaged by heat can be put in the dryer for an hour to kill mites. After laundering all of your bedding put sprigs of mint under your mattresses.

    • 8

      Ask your veterinarian for a monthly flea and mite preventative for your pet, to prevent another outbreak. Clean the visible area inside of your pets’ ears regularly. You may want to purchase a commercial ear wash or use one of your essential oils.

    • 9

      Vacuum and spray your automobile’s interior if your pet rides frequently. These additional steps should prevent these pests from re-entering your house.

    • 10

      Run a dehumidifier and lower your household humidity. Dust mites typically cannot survive when the humidity is less than 50.