If you have a problem with fleas at home, lemon is a great way to get rid of them and kill them. Many natural flea spray products contain a citrus extract, D-limonene, which is effective at repelling and killing these biting insects. Making your own lemon-based flea spray is simple, and you can keep these annoying bugs away from your home and family.
Ingredients
- 3 lemons
- 3 cups (700 ml) water
- 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) vinegar
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making Anti-flea Spray
Step 1. Gather all materials and equipment
Making this homemade flea spray is easy. You also don't need a lot of materials or equipment. However, it will take you a few hours because the lemons will have to be soaked overnight. The equipment you will need is:
- Knife
- Fork
- Big pot with lid
- Filter
- Big bowl
- Funnel
- Big spray bottle
Step 2. Slice and remove the lemon juice
Slice the lemons into 3 mm thick slices. Place the lemon wedges in a large saucepan. Slightly press the lemon with a fork to release the juice.
The active ingredients in citrus fruits that are able to repel and kill lice are found on the skin. Pressing the lemon slices with a fork will help soften the rind
Step 3. Boil the lemons
Add water to the pot of lemons. Cover the pot and let it simmer over medium-high heat. When the water starts to boil, reduce the heat and let the lemon simmer for 30 minutes.
Step 4. Soak the lemons
After letting it simmer for 30 minutes, remove from the heat and set aside. Let the lemons soak overnight, or about eight hours.
Step 5. Strain the lemons
Once the lemon juice has cooled and soaked overnight, remove the lemons. Place the strainer over a bowl, pour the lemon juice into the bowl.
Once strained, the lemons can be discarded
Step 6. Add the vinegar before putting it in the bottle
Pour the vinegar into the lemon juice in a bowl and mix until smooth. Attach the funnel to the spray bottle, and pour the lemon and vinegar mixture into the bottle. Attach the spray cap to make it easier to use lemon juice. Shake before use.
Distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar is the best type of vinegar for this recipe
Part 2 of 3: Killing Fleas Around the House
Step 1. Wash all household appliances as much as you can
Fleas, eggs, and their larvae can be found all over the house, and one way to get rid of them is to wash all household appliances; this includes sheets, blankets, towels, curtains, clothing, toys, as well as rugs and bedding for pets. Wash everything in the washing machine using hot water.
When you dry them, use the highest drying temperature to ensure all fleas are dead
Step 2. For furniture that cannot be washed, clean it with a vacuum cleaner
Another effective way to remove flea eggs and larvae is to use a vacuum cleaner. Use additional nozzles and hoses to reach hidden nooks and crannies. Discard the vacuum cleaner bag when you're done. Use a vacuum cleaner on any piece of furniture you can, including:
- Carpet
- Furniture
- Bed
- Floor
- Between the wooden floors
- Wall
Step 3. Spray the furniture
After washing and vacuuming, spray the household with your homemade flea lemon solution. Pay special attention to furniture, curtains, and areas where your pets are often.
- During the first week, spray the house in the morning and evening.
- Once the fleas are gone, continue to spray the house every few days to prevent the fleas from returning.
- Be careful when deciding where and how much of the spray to use, as the ingredients in lemon peels can be toxic to animals if ingested. Limit or avoid spraying areas or items that your pet usually chews or licks.
- Lemon juice is often used as a stain remover on fabrics, but it's a good idea to spray test recessed furniture and curtains to see how they react to lemon spray. If the area to be sprayed does not change color, spray a large amount of flea solution.
Step 4. Spray also outdoors
Fleas also live in a variety of places outside the home, especially in damp and shady areas such as tall grass, shrubs, trees, and leaves. Spray the flea solution in places where fleas like, especially near entrances to homes and places where people and animals play.
Caring for your garden can help you prevent ticks. Keeping the grass short, clear any bushes and grass near a door or window
Part 3 of 3: Repel Fleas on Pets
Step 1. Apply flea spray to your pet's fur
To do this, you'll need a flea comb, a bucket of soapy water, and your homemade flea spray. If possible, comb your pet's fur with a flea comb outside to prevent flea eggs and larvae from falling inside your home.
- Spray a little near the head or ear. Use a flea comb to comb the area, spraying and picking at the lice as you do so.
- Dip and wiggle the comb in the soapy water each time you manage to clean the lice with the comb.
- Do it from head to tail. Spray a little, then comb in a small part of the hair that was sprayed.
- Repeat spraying and combing for the tail as well.
- Clean up where you did it when you're done to kill any fallen fleas. If you are doing this step at home, thoroughly clean the area using a vacuum cleaner.
- Repeat the above steps every day until all the lice are gone.
Step 2. Rinse the pet after cleaning it with an anti-flea lemon spray
The insect-repelling citrus content is also toxic to many animals, including cats and dogs. After you've cleaned your pet's fur of fleas using a flea comb and spray, shampoo and rinse the animal to remove any residual lemon spray.
Limonene can cause liver damage in animals, but this substance is only found in the skin of citrus fruits. Lemon juice itself isn't toxic, but it's best if you're careful with this flea spray
Step 3. Spray and wash your pet's bedding
If your pet has fleas, it's important to clean it and anything it touches; this includes bedding, blankets, sheets, rugs, or any fabric utensils where your pet spends time.
- Spray the sheets with anti-lice lemon spray, and hang them in the sun.
- Wash all sheets and blankets in hot water in the washing machine, then dry on the highest temperature. This will ensure that all the fleas are gone and the remaining lemon spray is completely clean.
Step 4. Clean all the toys and food bowls
Collect all the toys and places to eat and drink. Wash food and drink containers in the dishwasher or by hand using hot water and soap. Wash fabric toys along with blankets and sheets in the washing machine, or wash all other toys by hand.
- Toys such as tennis balls and dolls can be washed in the washing machine.
- Avoid using flea-repellent lemon spray on toys or anything an animal might swallow.
