In this article, we will discuss the best ways to kill fleas naturally. They are also called jumping insects and are about the size of a pinhead when they fully were grown. Fleas may appear to be brown, black, or have a reddish tint to them. They are different from other insects as they appear to be almost two-dimensional in nature, being flat on each side. These insects are usually wingless but are capable of jumping very high. This property gives them the chance to easily latch onto anything warm-blooded as they are their primary food source.
There are more than 250 species of fleas around the world and the primary troublemaker is the cat and dog flea (Ctenocephalides felis). They are happy to feed on anyone in the house like cat, dog or human. The fleas most likely choose a pet whose fur provides shelter and warmth for their breeding ground. The flea bites make some animals irritating due to its saliva such that they bite and scratch themselves raw. When they bite a human then there will be small, red, itchy bumps most commonly observed on the ankles and wrists.
Adults are usually small, dark, reddish-brown, and blood-sucking insects. Their body is vertically flat, hard and covered with hairs and short spines that point backward. Their legs are usually very long compared to their other parts of the body that help them to jump higher. The mouthparts are also quite different and help to suck blood from a host. To prevent fleas’ infestation it is good to know that they avoid light and are often found around pet sleeping areas, baseboards, carpets, or on furniture.
Top Ways to Kill Fleas:
1.) Salt Remedy to Kill Fleas
Salt is a very common ingredient used mainly in cooking but it can help you get rid of tough fleas, especially from the carpets. It is not a natural substance which contains several medicinal properties but one of the most important properties that can help you is its dehydration property. Salt is an excellent dehydrating agent for fleas and can dry out their bodies and kill them. The process of using salt to get rid of fleas from your carpet is so simple.
You will need table salt or any of the sea salts and a large spice bottle with a shaker top. It is suggested to use only finely ground salt. If salt contains large crystal then first grind it to get a fine powder. Now, fill up the spice bottle with the salt leaving a little room on the top so that you can sprinkle the salt on it. After that, you just need to sprinkle the salt over the carpets. Cover the area, the salt will spread evenly and leave it on for one day and then vacuum thoroughly.
2.) Homemade Lemon Spray to Kill Fleas
The lemon spray is one of the most effective and easiest methods to remove flea infestation naturally. Cut two lemons into thin slices. Pour three cups of water into a pot. Now, put the thin lemon slices into the pot and boil them on a medium flame. As soon water starts boiling take off the pot from the stove. Leave the lemons in the water overnight. Take the lemon slices out and put lemon water into a spray bottle, next day. Now, you just have to spray your carpet with the solution and pay special attention where your pet likes to spend time.
3.) Simple Flea Trap to Kill Fleas
The chances are you do not have any idea from where the flea enter your home. They can come from any place so you will have to find out the proper method to catch them. A simple homemade flea trap can be really useful in concentrating all the fleas at one place. To make the trap you will not need expensive items but a small bowl of water. Just add a few drops of liquid dish soap and stir the solution properly to combine everything. Put the bowl containing solution on the floor, close to a wall, and then put a lamp next to it. Do not forget to turn the lamp on. The fleas will jump towards the light and ultimately land in the soapy water. The soapy water will prevent them from jumping back. If you have pets, then keep them away from the setup.
4.) Vacuum Your House to Kill Fleas
Fleas love to hide in the places where sunlight does not reach. So, eliminate them from these areas you will need to do the vacuuming. You need to be a bit intelligent while dealing with fleas and clean the area where you find dried blood, feces, and upholstered furniture. Vacuuming does not kill fleas so you need to sprinkle salt, Borax or baking soda throughout the area before the vacuuming. You need to properly work into the base of the carpet with a broom. Let the powder sit for a few hours, this will cause flea eggs that are tucked into the carpet to dry out.
5.) Pennyroyal Herb to Kill Fleas
Pennyroyal herb has been used since ancient times to prevent and get rid of fleas naturally in the house. You can mainly find in two major varieties, European pennyroyal and American pennyroyal. The pennyroyal herb comes from mint family but it can’t be treated as a simple mint due to toxic nature. While using this herb you will need extra care as it is quite dangerous for human and animal health. Pets like Cats and Dogs too can face fertility problems if the herb is used and they remain in contact with this herb. Some, animals may even die if this essential oil is licked by them or its leaves are chewed by them. Pennyroyal should be used to repel fleas but it is not intended to kill them.
6.) Use Citronella Essential Oil to Kill Fleas
Citronella oil is considered as the most effective home remedy to remove fleas’ infestation. It is also popularly known as a natural flea repellent. It is a volatile oil derived from the stem of a plant called Cymbopogonnardus. The remedy is totally safe and can be used in a home without many precautions. It can effectively repel other insects also, such as fleas and ticks, black flies, mosquitoes, etc. you just need to mop your floors with a mixture of essential oils with citronella oil. This will help keep fleas miles away from your home.
7.) Rosemary to Kill Fleas
Rosemary is a purely natural remedy to get rid of fleas quickly. It is recommended to use rosemary if the infestation is not large. You can also use this remedy to control the flea problem in your home. You can use it as a powder, or as oil. To get rid of fleas on the dog wash them with rosemary water. To make rosemary water boils few rosemary leaves on a medium flame for ten minutes. Do not use this water to wash your cats as their skin can react and cause skin problems. Take rosemary, Rue, fennel, peppermint, wormwood, and coffee grinder in a bowl. Grind all ingredients together using a grout and pestle or in a coffee grinder. Now, simply sprinkle this powder on the areas infested by fleas like carpet, pet’s bedding, furniture, below furniture etc.
8.) Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Fleas
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is most widely used substance to get rid of not only fleas but other insects also. It is the microscopic remains of fossilized algae called the diatoms. It is basically a fine powder, just like flour. DE are the special type of algae that can be found usually in freshwater and in saltwater. The mechanism of its working is quite simple, its cell walls are made of silica which is a component of glass. Its sharp edges can easily cut the hard shell of fleas and kill them.
The silica shards in Diatomaceous Earth cut through the hard shell of fleas and dry them out. It is recommended to use only the food grade Diatomaceous Earth which is purely non-toxic to human beings and animals. As always you should clean the areas with vacuum thoroughly before the application of Diatomaceous Earth. Now, sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth wherever you think the fleas or their larvae may be. You should safely sprinkle the Diatomaceous Earth on your carpets, pet beddings etc. Leave the DE in all these places for one or two days. You will see fleas are dying after few hours but still it is better to leave the thing for longer time period. Finally, vacuum away all the powder.