Fleas are minute bloodsucking parasites that thrive on the body of mammals and birds. There are cat fleas, dog fleas, and even human fleas that survive on the body of humans. Apart from transmitting diseases, fleas can also infest your home. In most cases, such flea infestation is caused by pets, who carry these parasites on their furry body. Once they gain entry into the house, fleas settle on comfortable locations, like carpets, upholstery, and cracks and crevices. As you notice signs of flea infestation in your house, you have to take prompt action to get rid of them. There are various chemical products designed for flea extermination, but you may also go for some natural remedies for eradicating these parasites.
How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally
There are numerous natural remedies that are found to be effective for eliminating fleas. While some of them are effective for fleas on pets, some others can be used for flea infestation in the house. If you have fleas in your house, the very first thing to do is clean the interiors and surroundings thoroughly. You must treat your pet simultaneously, to prevent re-infestation.
Baking Soda and Salt: As carpets provide a safe shelter for fleas, you have to take special care to disinfect them. You can use baking soda and salt to make a natural remedy for fleas. Take equal amounts of salt and baking soda, and mix them well. Sprinkle the mixture on carpets and keep it overnight. Vacuum the carpet the next day. This mixture dehydrates and kills fleas. This is one of the effective natural ways to get rid of fleas; but make sure that the carpet remains dry during this period.
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Diatomaceous Earth: Made from crushed seashells, diatomaceous earth is another product that is said to be effective for dehydrating and killing fleas. You can sprinkle this powder on carpets and furniture, before vacuuming the interiors. You may also sprinkle diatomaceous earth all over the yard, to prevent flea infestation. Plant some herbs, like lavender, pennyroyal and mint, in your yard, for repelling fleas.
Other Natural Remedies: Leaves of eucalyptus trees and cedar wood chips have properties that repel fleas. So, keep such things in different parts of the house, especially those areas with heavy flea infestation. Even essential oils act as natural flea repellents. Apply lavender oil, citronella oil or eucalyptus oil, on your pet's body, to get rid of fleas. You may use a few drops of these oils, while rinsing the bedding of your pet. A mixture of water and white vinegar (in equal amounts) can be sprayed on the pet's body, for killing fleas. Add small amounts of garlic or brewer's yeast in the pet food, or mix a small amount of apple cider vinegar in the drinking water for the pet.
Cleaning Measures
Once you notice signs of flea infestation in your home, you have to clean the house properly. Vacuum every nook and corner, including the furniture, upholstery and carpets. Quarantine your infested pet. Bathe the pet with a flea shampoo or a small amount of citrus-based dish wash soap and lukewarm water. Use flea combs to remove fleas from its body. You may also buy a herbal flea collar for your pet. Vacuum the house regularly and keep some borax in the vacuum bag, so as to kill the fleas. Place flea traps at different parts of the house.
In short, these flea control measures are found effective to get rid of fleas. You have to adopt a right combination of all these natural methods, so as to eliminate fleas from your house.
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