Natural Ways to Rid Home & Pets of Fleas

Fleas are a common parasite found on pets and in your home. They can be treated with store-bought flea treatments, but many are full of hazardous chemicals that can threaten the health of your pets and children. Luckily, using one of a number of natural flea treatments can help you in the flea battle without endangering your family.

  1. Essential Oils

    • Essential oils are concentrated oils made from the beneficial essences of plants, flowers and herbs. Peppermint, pennyroyal, lemongrass, citronella, lemon, thyme, rosemary and lavender are all essential oils effective for repelling fleas. One home remedy includes mixing five drops of citronella oil and three drops each rosemary, thyme and lemon essential oils. Use your hands to rub the mixture on your dog's coat. Alternatively, if you prefer to use one oil, use 10 drops of the essential oil to a cup of water and spray the mixture on your dog and furniture using a spray bottle. Because of possible toxicity, never apply essential oils directly to your cat.

    Foods

    • Certain foods your pet eats can repel fleas from them. Garlic, for example, gives your dog's blood an unpleasant taste to the fleas. Be sure to avoid raw garlic for cats, since it is toxic to them. Brewer's yeast, also known as nutritional yeast, is safe for both cats and dogs; it also makes the taste of the pet's blood unpleasant to fleas. Sprinkle a teaspoon of it over your cat's food and a tablespoon for dogs over 50 pounds. Often, a low immune system attracts fleas to your pet. Help boost the immune system with a diet of high-quality pet food. Also, add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to each bowl of water to boost the immune system and therefore repel fleas.

    Diatomaceous Earth

    • Available at hardware stores and garden supply stores, diatomaceous earth is the ground-up fossils of microscopic water plants. Either use it alone or mix together 1-1/2 pounds each borax and diatomaceous earth. Add 1 cup table salt. Sprinkle the mixture on your carpet and upholstered furniture. Leave it to sit for a minimum of six hours and then vacuum it up. When choosing diatomaceous earth, select the food-grade version available in the garden area of the hardware store. Avoid the pool-grade product; it is unsafe for use around your family and pets.

    Cleaning

    • Regular vacuuming not only traps fleas but also their eggs. The vibration of the vacuum also encourages flea eggs to hatch, helping you battle the next generation of fleas quicker. Use a crevice tool attachment to vacuum the cracks of your couch and along baseboards. Empty the contents of the vacuum into a sealable bag and throw it away outdoors to prevent fleas from reentering your home. After vacuuming, use a steam cleaner to clean all upholstered furniture and floors. The heat from the steam cleaner kills fleas. Repeat vacuuming daily and steam cleaning weekly.