Home Remedies to Kill Fleas in Your Home

The family pet is often the primary host for fleas.

A flea infestation can make you and your pet miserable. Fleas are tiny insects that live off the blood of a host. The fleas jump from host to host for travel, and can also jump to carpet and grass. Getting rid of these fleas means making sure they're all dead, and this might require more than one plan of attack.

Herbal Shampoos

Shampooing your dog well can get rid of fleas. While stores sell specialty flea shampoos, these can sometimes contain harsh or toxic chemicals. Instead, choose herbal shampoos with oils that contain a combination of rosemary, pine cedar, lavender, bergamot, eucalyptus, juniper, citronella and geranium. When washing the dog, the fleas will run to the dog's head because it's dry. Rub shampoo and water all over the dog's chin and top of the neck. Pour water of the dog's head before shampooing the rest of the dog's body.

Earth, Borax and Salt Mixture

To treat the home in the case of a home infestation mix together 1 1/2 pounds of diatomaceous earth, 1 1/2 pounds of borax and 1 cup of salt. Use the diatomaceous earth and borax available from garden stores. The diatomaceous earth has sharp particles that wound the fleas while the salt and borax absorb the flea's moisture. Sprinkle the mixture over the carpet and around the home. Breathing in this substance can be harmful, so leave for a few days with your pets. Vacuum the home and remove all of the mixture when you return.

Pet's Diet

You can try to get rid of the fleas by adding some things to your pet's regular food. Garlic in each of your dog's meals can get rid of fleas and deter them from hopping on your pet. Mince the garlic and mix it in your dog's food. Add sulfur to your dog's meal once a week to get rid of fleas. Black walnut hills, a supplement available in capsule form from many health stores, will also get rid of fleas. Hide it in the pet's food or give him the capsule.

Soap and Water

Also for a flea infestation, use soapy water to get rid of the fleas. Put a pan of water with a 2 tsps. of dish soap in the middle of the room. Place a light or candle in the middle of the room. The fleas are attracted to the light and will jump in that direction, but land in the soapy water instead. In the morning, dump the mixture down a drain or outside. If you use a candle, make sure it cannot tip over and that it is out of the reach of children or pets.

References

• Earth Clinic: Natural Flea Remedies
• Get Rid of Fleas: Home Remedies for Fleas
• Home Remedy Central: Killing Fleas