Fleas are little nasty blood-sucking buggers, which can cause irritation in your skin and spread other diseases. These tiny wingless creatures remain hidden in your lawn and badly affect the health of your pet. Well, several chemicals are available to get rid of these boogers, but they may harm the skin of your puppies and cat. So, you should try some herbal homemade remedies to do away with fleas.
Home Remedies for Fleas
These home remedies will help you to get rid of fleas and ticks from your dogs, cats, kittens and puppies.
1. Rosemary
This is a very easy and effective home remedy. Pick some rosemary from your garden or a nearby grocery store. Boil water and add fresh rosemary in it. Let it boil for about 30 minutes. Now, turn the flame off and wait till it reaches onto a lukewarm level. Now, add more water depending on your pet’s size. The rosemary water works great when applied in a lukewarm state. Soak your pet in this water and let your pet dry naturally.
2. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a very effective option. Take some uncooked oatmeal and soak it in water. Now, rub it on your pet’s skin. Leave it for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Take 2 ounces of tea tree oil and mix it with water. Put this mixture in a spray bottle. You can spray it on your pets, in home, yard and lawn.
4. Head & Shoulders Shampoo
Give a bath to your dog or cat using Head & Shoulders shampoo. The shampoo contains the solution, which will help to kill the fleas and ticks. But, the dead fleas get stuck in the pet’s skin. So, after giving your pet a bath, take a really fine comb and brush away all the fleas and ticks. After that, clean your whole house with a vacuum cleaner.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar really helps to kill the fleas and ticks. Add a small amount of ACV in your dog’s drinking water. This is the best home remedy to kill fleas.
6. Flea Comb
Use a flea comb, which is especially made for your pets, like dogs and cats. The strokes of this brush are very fine. Flea comb will help you to get rid of those irritating fleas and ticks.
7. Flea Collar
Flea collar is a fine solution of some oils, which prevents fleas on dogs. Make it in your kitchen and kill those bloodsuckers. You are going to need:
- Cedar oil or Lavender oil 3-5 drops
- Dog’s collar or a bandana
- 1-3 tablespoon of water
- An eye dropper
Mix your chosen oil with water and fill it in the eye dropper bottle. Now, take your pet’s collar or bandana and drop 3-5 drops of the solution on it. Rub the collar/bandana well and tie it on your pet’s neck. This solution will help to prevent fleas. Re-apply this solution every week in order to prevent fleas permanently.
8. Citrus Spray
Take a pot full of water and boil it. Turn off the heat and add lemon slices to it. Now, cover this pot with a lid and let it cool. Keep it overnight. Spray this solution on your pet’s body. It is a natural remedy for fleas on dogs and cats. You can also spray this solution on carpets or any other part of your house, where you suspect fleas.
9. Fleas Spray
Take one cup of ACV (apple cedar vinegar) and mix it with one quart fresh water. Now add 2-3 drops of cedar or lavender oil. Fill this mixture in a spray bottle and shake it well. Spray this solution on your pet’s hair.
Note- While spraying the solution, wear mask. Do not use this spray on kittens or puppies.
10. Orange
Take an orange. Cut it into half and rub it on the skin of your pet. The fleas hate the orange and cannot bear it. Try it and see the miracle.
Note- Don’t use this remedy on puppies or kittens.
11. Flea Bag
Take lemon zest, a handful of cedar chips and 2 tablespoons of dried lavender. Mix them together and pack it in a piece of fabric. Make it like a pocket or a square bag. When you are done, tie it on your pet, where it can never lick it. This flea bag will surely help to keep the ticks and fleas away from your pet.
12. Lavender
Buy some lavender and add it in boiling water. Keep it overnight. Now strain the lavender water and fill this mixture in a spray bottle. Take a flea’s comb. Spray this lavender mixture on your pet’s hair and comb gently. Lavender will kill all the fleas and leave a really pleasant smell. Brush out all the dead fleas and throw them away. And viola! Your pet is now free of fleas.
13. Flea Bath
Prepare a flea bath for your cat or dog. Take half cup of lemon juice, half cup of shampoo, and about two cups of water. Mix all the ingredients and stir for five minutes. Your flea bath is ready. Rub this mixture on your pet and watch the fleas dying.
14. Yeast
Fleas just hate yeast. Buy some yeast and sprinkle it on your pet.
15. Dawn Dish Washing Liquid
Dawn Dish Washing Liquid is a really great solution. It suffocates the fleas and kills them. Though, this is not a permanent solution, but works great on both dogs and cats.
16. Banana Peels
Banana peels are the best remedy to get away with the fleas. Take banana peels and put them on the floors, keeping peeled part upwards. In a few days, the fleas will be dead.
17. Grapefruit Peels
Take the grapefruit peels and soak them in water. Let your pet soak completely in this water. This will kill the fleas.
18. Neem Oil
Mix 1-2 ml of detergent or mild soap with 2 cups of warm water and 2.5 ml of organic neem oil. Fill this solution in a spray bottle. Sprinkle on the pet’s skin. It’s the best way to control fleas and tick.
Note- Don’t store this solution as neem oil is highly unstable and works only for 8 hours. So, prepare new solution each time.
Useful Tips to Prevent Fleas on Dogs and Cats
- Check your pet for fleas, every time they come inside the house.
- Clean your house, especially corners with a vacuum cleaner.
- Give your pet the organic food.
- Some people give garlic to prevent fleas. But, it is toxic for cats and may cause life-threatening disease. So, avoid using it.
Home Remedies for Fleas and Ticks in Lawns and Yards
These home remedies are different from the other remedies that are given above. Do not use these solutions on your pets as it can harm their skin.
1. Borax
Borax is a very good option for killing fleas in your home, lawns and yards. Fill Borax in a jar. Make sure, the jar you are using have little holes in its lid, like a salt shaker. Sprinkle it on the carpet, in the room, and on the furniture. Now, use a vacuum cleaner to clean up your house, and throw the dirt bag away, when you are done. You can also sprinkle borax in your lawn in order to kill the fleas. To prevent fleas, mow the lawn, and avoid over watering the plants.
Note: Do not use borax on your pets. Yes, it will kill all the fleas and ticks on your pets, but, it will also irritate your pet’s skin.
2. Fleas Spray Recipe
Take ½ gallon of water and mix 1 gallon of vinegar in it. Shake well. Then, add 16 oz lemon juice and 8 oz witch hazel to it. Mix this solution well and spray it on your furniture, walls, lawn, etc. This is a really helpful homemade solution for killing fleas.
3. Borate Powder
Sprinkle borate powder in your house, lawn and yards. It will surely ward off the fleas.
Measures to Prevent Fleas in House, Lawns and Yards
- Keep your yard and lawn clean.
- Trim your lawn, time to time.
- Plant cedar on border areas.
- Let the sunshine enter in your yard as the fleas and ticks hate the sunlight, and they are mostly found in the damp areas.
- Avoid over watering the plants.
- Wash the blankets and bed sheets with warm water.