Fleas are very annoying insects and can cause health problems for humans and pets. If you find fleas in your home, but don't want to kill them with harmful insecticides, try using natural methods. You have to deal with the infestation of fleas in different areas. So, clean the house, take care of the pets, and take steps to control fleas in the yard. Maybe you should spend about 3 or 4 months. However, with patience and persistence, you can still get rid of fleas without using toxic chemicals.
Step
Part 1 of 3: House Cleaning
Step 1. Vacuum floors, upholstered furniture, and bedding daily
Pay special attention to areas that pets frequent, places that are not exposed to the sun, and any areas that have fleas, dried blood, or flea feces (feces). When vacuuming furniture, lift all the pillows so you can reach all the nooks and crannies.
- Be sure to also vacuum the area behind doors, under furniture, along the baseboard (the wood trim along the bottom of the wall), and in other tight spaces.
- When there is a flea infestation, vacuum the house every day. Even if you don't see fleas in your home, you should still vacuum thoroughly at least once a week.
- When the vacuum cleaner bag is full, put the contents in a plastic trash bag and close it tightly. Next, throw the bag in a closed trash can outside the house.
Step 2. Wash your pet's carpets, sheets, and bedding in hot water
When a flea infestation occurs, use the washing machine to wash and dry fabrics, blankets, pillowcases, pet bedding, and small rugs weekly. Use hot water and dry on maximum setting, as long as it doesn't damage the fabric.
If your pet's bedding isn't washable, you can throw it away for safety's sake
Step 3. Use a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstered furniture
If you don't have a steam cleaner, you can rent one at a home appliance rental service. You can also hire a professional to do it. Be sure to test the cleaning agent on hidden areas of carpet and furniture.
Steam cleaning will kill the adult fleas and larvae, but not the eggs. Flea eggs take about 3-4 months to hatch. So you have to keep vacuuming the house every day. Try to do a steam cleaning every 1-2 months until the fleas are gone
Step 4. Try using a dehumidifier to control humidity
Flea eggs require a humidity level of at least 50% in order to develop and hatch. You can use a humidity monitor and a dehumidifier to make your home an uncomfortable place for fleas. Remember, you'll still need to vacuum, wash your sheets, and take other steps to control flea infestations.
The number of dehumidifiers needed depends on the layout and size of the house. A medium-sized dehumidifier can remove about 19 liters of water in the air in 24 hours. This type of dehumidifier is recommended for areas with a maximum area of 140 m2
Step 5. Monitor your progress using flea traps
This trap takes the form of a sticky sheet of paper or a bowl filled with water that is placed under a lamp. The heat from the lamp can attract fleas, which will get stuck on the paper or fall into the water. The longer you carry out the steps to deal with a flea infestation, the fewer fleas will fall into the trap.
- If the number of fleas trapped in the trap remains the same after 1 to 2 months have passed, it's time to hire a professional.
- Traps are a great method for monitoring the severity of a flea infestation, but they only catch adult fleas. This tool can not eliminate the attack.
Step 6. Handle the house, yard and pets at the same time
The only way to get rid of fleas is to tackle all areas. If you just clean the house without handling the pets, the fleas will swarm back into the house.
Be patient, it may take you 3 or 4 months to control a flea infestation
Part 2 of 3: Dealing with Fleas in Pets
Step 1. Bathe your pet at least once a week
Use shampoo specifically for dogs or cats, and never use shampoo for humans on pets. Start by washing your pet's head and neck to prevent fleas from jumping into their eyes, mouth and ears.
Do not bathe your pet more than once a week as this can irritate the skin. Use a moisturizing shampoo that contains oatmeal to keep your pet's skin from drying out too much
Step 2. Brush the pet with a flea comb every day
Brush pet hair (dry) with a fine-toothed comb at least once a day. Periodically dip the comb in hot, soapy water or a mixture of one part alcohol and 1 part water to kill any fleas that are plucked from the hair of the animal you are combing.
Watch out for fleas jumping from pets. Even if your pet's fur is dry, you should still use the tub as a place to comb the fur. You can see fleas more easily on white, smooth surfaces
Step 3. Try spraying your pet with lemon juice
Thinly slice one lemon, and put it in a saucepan that has been filled with 500 ml of water. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the stove, cover the pot, and let it sit overnight. Strain the mixture and put it in a spray bottle. Next, spray the solution on your pet and massage it into their fur.
- You can also buy citrus spray for pets online or at pet stores.
- Oranges can keep fleas away for up to 24 hours, but your pet's skin can become irritated if you use them every day. Try spraying every 3 or 4 days, and gradually spray the solution more often if the animal's skin is not irritated.
- Do not spray the solution near the pet's face. Discontinue use if the animal's skin is red or dry, or if the pet is constantly scratching its body.
- It's a good idea to consult your veterinarian before using any homemade ingredients.
Step 4. Try to keep pets in the house
If you have a cat, you should always keep it indoors. If you have a dog, take it outside for a while. When taking it outside, avoid shady, damp areas where plants grow.
Limiting your pet's time outdoors will help reduce their exposure to fleas
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Fleas Outdoors
Step 1. Keep the grass in the yard short and remove any fallen leaves
Keep areas outside the home that are used as pet play areas clean. Trim grass and weeds so that the cool, damp dark area gets some sun. After trimming the grass, remove all the cuttings, and remove any leaves or other debris that has accumulated in the yard.
Fleas thrive in shady and damp places. By keeping grass short, raking leaves, and removing debris, your yard will become an uncomfortable environment for fleas
Step 2. Spread the beneficial nematodes on the lawn
Beneficial nematodes are small worms that prey on flea larvae. You can buy it at the farm shop. Look for products used to control fleas, and spread them on lawns and gardens as directed.
- Pay special attention to areas frequented by pets. The ideal time to propagate nematodes is at the beginning of the flea attack season.
- Usually, you should mix a packet containing millions of tiny nematodes with water, then spread the mixture out with a fertilizer spray or a sprinkler bucket. In the dry season, you should water the soil in your yard if conditions start to dry out.
- Don't worry, nematodes won't make you sick! Nematodes are harmless to humans or pets.
Step 3. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth every 7-10 days
Purchase diatomaceous earth designed for use in the home garden. Spread it out in the yard, and focus on shady places and areas frequented by pets.
- The best time to spread diatomaceous earth is in the morning. Don't spread it when the wind is blowing or when it's raining, and don't sprinkle it around pets. If inhaled, diatomaceous earth can irritate the respiratory system.
- Diatomaceous earth is a mineral powder that can tear fleas apart and dehydrate them. Over time, its effectiveness will wear off so you'll need to reapply it weekly, after it rains, after the wind blows, and after you water the lawn.
Step 4. Plant pennyroyal in a garden or pot
Pennyroyal belongs to the mint family which has been used for centuries to repel insects. Plant the tree in the garden to repel fleas outdoors, or plant it in a pot and place it indoors. Since pennyroyal is toxic to dogs and cats, make sure pets don't eat it.
- Pennyroyal essential oil is sometimes used as a flea repellent, but it is not safe for pets. Do not apply essential oils to pet's skin, food, and bedding.
- If growing pennyroyal in the garden, prune the tree regularly so that the plant does not overcrowd the garden. Like other plants in the Min family, pennyroyal can spread aggressively. You can control the growth of plants by forming their root system in a pot first, then planting the pot in the garden.
Tips
- To find out if somewhere in your house or yard has fleas, put on long white socks that reach your shins and walk around the area. If there are fleas, these insects will jump on the socks, and you can see them because the background is white.
- If these flea control methods don't work, try getting your pet flea preventative treatment. You can use less toxic options. Talk to your veterinarian about how to prevent fleas and ticks using safe materials.
- Although more expensive, oral flea prevention containing nitenpyram, lufenuron, or spinosad is safer than topical treatments.
- If topical treatments are the only option available, use a product containing pyriproxyfen or s-methoprene. Do not use products that contain imidacloprid, carbaryl, dinotefuran, tetrachlorvinphos, and propoxur.
