A Home Remedy Spray to Get Rid of Fleas in Infested Areas

Fleas often ride into the home in the fur of their host.

Flea infestations affect dogs, cats and other animals, but if infestations in your home become severe enough, you can suffer from flea bites, too. Fleas are tiny insects that live off the blood of their host, typically your cat or dog. Commercial flea repellents such as flea sprays, shampoos, powders and preventative flea collars and medicines are available to combat flea infestation or prevent it from occurring. Homemade flea sprays can be used to tackle flea infestation, as well, and do not expose you, your pets and children to the chemicals found in most commercial flea products.

Things You'll Need

• 6 lemons
• Knife
• Pot
• Water
• Strainer
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Slice six lemons in half. Place the lemon halves in a pot of water and bring the mixture to a boil.

2. Turn off the heat underneath the pot and allow the lemons to sit in the water for three to four hours. The solution will become more concentrated as it steeps.

3. 

   Spray bottles allow you to apply your solution directly to the targeted area.

   Pour the lemon solution through a strainer and into a spray bottle. Discard the leftover lemon halves.

4. Use your homemade flea spray on your pets, taking care not to spray them near the eyes, nose or ears. Spray infested areas, such as carpeting, furniture and bedding. Do not rinse the lemon spray off. Prevent fleas from escaping to non-infested areas by spraying those areas, as well. Lemon is a natural flea repellent and the fleas will not remain where it is sprayed.

5. Make another batch of the lemon concentrate and pour into a bucket. Use this solution to wash floors and other areas where fleas are found.

Tips & Warnings

• Repel fleas with lemon oil, citronella or lavender oil. Place a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball and set the cotton ball in a flea infested area.

• Check your yard and surrounding areas for wild animals. If you have other pest control issues, such as mice or squirrels, call an exterminator to help you rid yourself of these infestations as they may be host to the fleas coming into your home.

References

• PAWS-Rescue.org: Dog Tip: Insect Prevention
• Reader's Digest.com: 16 Common Items for Insect Control