Home Remedies for Fleas: 11 Easy Tips Worth Trying

Dish soap

To rid your home of a flea infestation naturally, place a plate on the floor and fill it with water. Add about a capful of dish soap to each plate, and place a lit tea candle in the middle of the plates. Fleas will be attracted to the light of the candle, but the plate’s soapy liquid will trap and kill the fleas. The safest way to do this is to tackle a new room each night, and stay in the room while the candle is lit as a safety precaution. Of course, be sure to keep any pets and children out of rooms with the temporary flea traps.

Herbal spray

Avoid using harsh chemicals, and instead opt for this herbal spray to rid your home of fleas. Mix one gallon of vinegar, a half-gallon of water, 16 ounces of lemon juice and 8 ounces of witch hazel to create your solution. Before spraying, vigorously vacuum your home to try and rid it of errant fleas. Wash anything that cannot be vacuumed on the hottest setting possible. Then, for a great natural flea remedy, spray the solution throughout your home, and repeat as needed.

Salt

Some home remedies for fleas—like this one!—you already have in your kitchen cabinet. Sprinkle finely ground salt over the carpets throughout your home, focusing on areas where your pet spends the most time. The salt works by dehydrating and killing adult fleas on contact (but it doesn’t get rid of larvae). Let it sit for 12 to 48 hours to maximize effectiveness, then vacuum thoroughly to remove both the salt and the dead fleas. Be sure to empty your vacuum canister or bag outside to prevent any surviving fleas from re-infesting your home.

Rosemary oil

Rosemary naturally repels fleas, and rosemary oil is safe for dogs as long as you know how to use it. Never apply this essential oil directly to your pooch because it can irritate their skin. Instead, add a drop or two of rosemary oil to your laundry and any of your dog’s bedding to help repel fleas (it won’t kill them).

Lemongrass and rosemary spray

Another flea-repellent option is this easy-to-make spray. Add six thinly sliced lemons to a large bowl, and then chop up a handful of rosemary leaves and add them to the mixture. Boil a liter of water and pour into the bowl, and then add three to four drops of geranium oil. Cover the solution, and leave it overnight. In the morning, strain the liquid before moving it to a spray bottle and spritzing this natural flea-control option throughout the house.

Citronella mixture

Citronella oil is a natural flea repellent, and when combined with other essential oils, it can potentially help deter fleas from settling in your home. Mix 20 drops of citronella oil, 10 drops of lemongrass oil and five drops of geranium oil into a gallon of warm water. Use this solution when mopping hard floors, focusing on baseboards and corners where fleas may hide. Let floors dry completely before allowing pets back into the area, and repeat weekly or as needed.

An important note: Do not use tea tree oil if you have pets, as it can be toxic to them.

Horse apples

Horse apples (also known as Osage oranges) are one of the lesser-known home remedies for fleas. Cut each horse apple in half, and place a half in each room and hallway of your home. These natural insect repellents may help deter fleas—and as a bonus, they can help keep away other pests like spiders and cockroaches. In cool, air-conditioned rooms, they remain effective for two to three months.

Cedar oil

To get fleas off your dog or as a holistic flea treatment for cats, dilute three to five drops of cedar oil with one to three teaspoons of water, then saturate your pet’s collar or a cute bandanna with five to 10 drops of the mixture. You can also swap out cedar oil for lavender oil if you’d like.

These essential oils are even safe for treating kittens and other young pets with fleas, as long as you dilute them. Reapply the mixture once a week.

Apple cider vinegar

This kitchen staple does it all, including flea prevention. Add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water bowl for every 40 pounds they weigh. The vinegar’s acidity can help repel fleas from the inside out. And, bonus, it also helps give your pup a shinier, healthier coat (one of those pet-grooming secrets your dog’s stylist might not spill).

Lemon juice

Here’s a natural flea buster for dogs or cats: Slice up lemons, and add them to a pot of boiling water. Remove the water from the heat, cover the pot and leave the water overnight. The next day, dip your pet’s comb or brush in the lemon water, and run it through their coat. Or if you have short-haired pets, use a sponge to apply this lemony fix to their coat.

Vinegar spray

Add shine to your pet’s coat with this natural flea deterrent. Mix a cup of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar with a quart of water, then add two to three drops of lavender oil. Mix thoroughly, then pour into a spray bottle. Gently mist a little on your pet, while being careful to avoid their eyes, ears and nose. If you’re worried about hitting sensitive areas, put the solution on a cloth, and gently wipe around the neck and behind their ears instead of spraying.

Vinegar diluted in warm water with a little dish soap also makes a good all-purpose dog shampoo, according to the American Kennel Club.

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Sources:

• Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: “Cornell Integrated Pest Management: Fleas”
• American Kennel Club: “How to Make Homemade Dog Shampoo”