Natural Flea Removal

Fleas can infest your pet's coat as well as your home, leading to irritating bite marks on your pet, as well as on family members. While a number of chemically-based flea repellent sprays and foggers will rid the home of fleas, the same harsh chemicals are also harmful to your family and pets. A toxic chemical solution is not required, as there are a number of ways to get rid of fleas naturally.

  1. Fleas on Pets

    • Bathe your pet regularly with warm water and a mild shampoo. Dish soap will work perfectly if you prefer not to pay high prices for pet shampoo. Wash the pet in the bathtub, where you can easily rinse fleas down the drain as they are removed. The shampoo will create a sticky texture that will prevent the fleas from jumping. Work the shampoo into a lather, then comb the pet's coat with a flea comb. This will thoroughly run through the pet's coat, removing any fleas. Rinse the pet with warm water after washing and combing.

      Apple cider vinegar also works as a natural repellent for fleas, as they do not like the odor or the bitter taste. Allow your pet to ingest the apple cider vinegar by adding a spoonful to the pet's water dish. In most cases, the pet will not recognize the new addition to the water bowl. If you prefer, make a spray-on repellent by adding equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar to a spray bottle, then spraying onto the pet's coat.

    Fleas in the Home

    • When fleas collect in the home, they adapt to the new environment quickly. This allows them to multiply, and the fleas begin to feed off not only your pets, but also your family members. Vacuum the floors one to two times per week to collect as many fleas as possible.

      A natural flea trap can also be made to safely collect and remove fleas. First, pour 1/2 cup of water into a small bowl along with a spoonful of liquid dish soap. Stir the bowl to dissolve the soap. Then, place these dishes on the floor around the home. Place the dishes under a nightlight when possible, or hang a flashlight directly over the bowl. Finally, sprinkle the floor with table salt. The salt will dehydrate the fleas, causing them to jump around and look for a salt-free area. The light placed above the bowl will also attract the fleas, creating a foolproof way to trap and kill them.