One of the best home remedies for getting rid of fleas is diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth, or DE, is a naturally occurring powder made up of microscopic organisms called diatoms. It works as an insecticide by dehydrating the tiny bodies of fleas. To use this remedy, first use a vacuum cleaner or brush to remove any visible fleas in your house. Then sprinkle DE along any carpeted surface or furniture where fleas are present. Leave it overnight or for at least 12 hours and then thoroughly vacuum afterwards to remove all the DE residue.
Another great home remedy for getting rid of fleas is neem oil. Neem oil is derived from the neem tree and has natural insect-repelling qualities that are effective against many species of insects including fleas. To begin, mix 2 tablespoons of neem oil with 1 cup of warm water and ½ teaspoon of liquid dish detergent in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine ingredients, then spray liberally around your house and on carpets, upholstery and other areas where fleas are evident. Leave for 30 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly to remove all remaining residue from surfaces in your home.
Finally, boric acid powder is another great home remedy for getting rid of fleas. Boric acid acts like a desiccant and kills on contact, instead of repelling like most sprays or oils do. Sprinkle it on carpets and other areas where fleas are found, such as bedding and pet sleeping areas, making sure to coat as much area as possible with cyfluthrin dust inhaled by the critters when they come out looking for food or water sources]. Let it sit overnight before vacuuming up collars for cats any remaining residue the next day
Introduction to the Problem
If you have an infestation of fleas in your home, then you know how difficult it can be to eliminate them. While there are many over-the-counter products designed to kill fleas, they are often expensive or ineffective – and may even present health risks if used incorrectly. Thankfully, there are some home remedies that don’t cost much (if anything) and can help rid your house of the fleas while not exposing your family or pets to potentially dangerous chemicals.
But how do you know which one will work best for your situation? That is where this article comes in. We’ll provide an introduction to the problem at hand, explain why certain treatments are more effective than others, and offer our own recommendations for eliminating fleas from your home.
Causes of Flea Infestation
Fleas are pesky little critters that often invade homes through pets or wild animals near the home. Before getting rid of fleas, you need to understand what causes them to infest your home in the first place.
One common cause of a flea infestation is having a pet that has not been treated for fleas on a regular basis. When pets venture outdoors, they can pick-up flea eggs on their fur, which will eventually hatch into adult fleas and make their way into your home.
In addition to pets bringing fleas inside, certain environmental conditions can cause an increase in these pests around your home as well. Moisture, heat and overgrown grass can create an ideal habitat for fleas, allowing them to breed and colonize more quickly. If you are living in close proximity to wildlife such as raccoons then they too can also carry fleets inside your home.
Understanding Different Types of Fleas
It’s important to understand the different types of fleas before you start any flea remedies. Different fleas require different approaches in order to effectively eliminate them from your home.
The most common type of flea is the cat or dog flea. These tiny invaders typically live on cats and dogs, but can make their way into homes when pets are allowed inside. Cat and dog fleas are small, tan-colored insects that jump from place-to-place quickly and feed off of their hosts’ blood.
There are also bird fleas which can infest areas with chickens, ducks, and other birds. Bird fleas can be identified by their dark brown color which is much darker than cat and dog fleas. Unlike other types of fleas, bird fleas spend most of their time off of their host so they’ll rarely be seen on a pet’s fur or feathers.
Finally there are the rat or mouse fleas which target rodents as well as humans that may come into contact with them. These pests are generally grayish-brown in color, have noticeably longer legs than other types of fleas, and move faster than other varieties. Rat/mouse fleas can also leap farther than other species making them more adept at traveling from one place to another within a property.
Knowing which type of pest you’re dealing with will help you choose the best home remedy for eradicating it from your home.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
Prevention is always the best approach when it comes to dealing with fleas. Regular vacuuming, dusting and mopping can go a long way in reducing the chances of having a flea infestation. In addition, washing your pet’s bedding regularly helps keep them flea-free. Avoid walking your pet in areas that are known to have lots of fleas, such as fields or woods.
Inspect your home and yard regularly for signs of Flea activity, such as dried blood spots on upholstered furniture or droppings near baseboards and carpet edges. If you do spot any signs of a Flea infestation, take action immediately by vacuuming carpets and floors thoroughly and disposing of the vacuum cleaner bag into an outside bin right away to prevent future infestations. You should also wash any fabrics that may be harboring Fleas (pet beds, cushions covers, etc) in hot water to kill off any eggs or larvae present.