5 Easy Ways to Rid Pets of Fleas
Pet owners know how painful it can be to get rid of fleas after they have found a few on their pet’s fur. These pests bite your furry friends and you, and can be quite a pain to get rid of if you don’t have the right resources. If you have recently noticed your pet scratching their fur a lot and suspect that there might be some fleas bothering them, then here are some easy home remedies that you can try out:
1. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic, microscopic powder made using a mixture of fossilized algae. This is known to be an excellent remedy against fleas, since it is harmless to humans and attacks fleas by dehydrating and desiccating them. Make sure you find diatomaceous earth that is food-grade and sprinkle it around areas that have been infested with fleas.
2. Baking soda
A simple and easy way to get rid of fleas and pests at home is using ingredients you have, such as baking powder. This is one of the safest ways of getting rid of pests, and will also help drive out bed bugs and roaches. Rubbing in some baking soda on sofas, carpets, and bedding before vacuuming thoroughly will help you get rid of fleas easily.
3. Salt
Salt is a naturally hygroscopic compound that absorbs water and dehydrates pests and fleas when coming in contact with them. Just like baking soda, you can sprinkle some salt on your carpeted floors, sofas, and beddings, and scrub it in with a brush. Then give it a final touch by vacuuming the house properly.
4. Lemon
Lemon is a natural home remedy for ridding your house of fleas. You can use it by making a spray with some lemon juice or any other citrus fruit of your choice along with a large amount of water. Let this solution sit for a night and then spray it over your furniture such that the surfaces are slightly damp from the solution.
5. Flea-repelling plants
A rosemary plant on your balcony can itself work as a great pest-repellent for your home. You can use this plant to get rid of mild flea infestations in your house as well as pets. You can create a powder from rosemary leaves by adding other herbs, such as rue, wormwood, fennel, and peppermint. Just like salt and baking soda, you can sprinkle this powder on surfaces where you suspect a flea infestation. This remedy will help repel any flea activity, but won’t be as effective in getting rid of major infestations.
Just like rosemary, you can use other plants that are known to be successful flea repellents, such as lavender, chrysanthemums, spearmint, etc. These plants contain specific chemical compounds that repel a wide variety of insects. Planting these in and around the house is a great way to prevent any massive pest infestation and keep your pets safe from fleas. However, some of the plants mentioned above can be toxic to pets, so make sure you keep them out of your furry friend’s reach.