Fleas can be a nuisance in any home. These tiny, jumping insects not only cause irritation from their bites but can also spread diseases and parasites. While chemical flea treatments may seem like the easiest solution, exposure to the toxic chemicals in these products can be harmful to you, your family, and your pets. Fortunately, there are many effective, non-toxic ways to get rid of fleas naturally. With a little diligence, you can eliminate a flea infestation safely using natural ingredients you likely already have at home.

Step 1: Make Your Home Less Hospitable to Fleas

Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments. To make your home less inviting, follow these tips:

Keep humidity levels low – Fleas prefer humid conditions. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to keep humidity under 50%.
Vacuum frequently – Vacuuming removes flea eggs and larvae while stimulating pre-emerged adults to leave their cocoons. Vacuum all furniture, carpets, and floors daily.
Wash pet bedding regularly – Fleas lay eggs in pet beds. Wash bedding in hot, soapy water weekly.
Maintain low temperatures – Fleas prefer temperatures above 70°F. Keep your home cooler to deter infestations.
Use desiccant dusts – Sprinkle diatomaceous earth or silica aerogel in carpets and pet bedding. These desiccant dusts dry out fleas.
Set flea traps – Place sticky traps or night lights around your home to trap fleas. The light and warmth attract them.

Making your home less hospitable to fleas is an important first step in preventing and eliminating infestations. Consistent vacuuming, washing, temperature control, and desiccant dusts will help repel fleas and remove those already in your home.

Step 2: Bathe Your Pets with Natural Shampoos

Bathing your pets with flea shampoo is critical for killing fleas on your pet and preventing re-infestation. Fortunately, there are several natural options that avoid toxic chemicals:

Dish Soap and Water

A basic bath using Dawn dish soap and water can eliminate up to 83% of fleas. Lather your pet up well and leave the suds on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. The soap breaks down the fleas’ exoskeletons and causes dehydration.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water for an effective pet shampoo. The vinegar alters the pH of your pet’s skin to repel fleas. Let the solution sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera contains saponins that have anti-parasitic effects. Generously apply pure aloe vera gel to your pet. Allow it to absorb for 10 minutes then rinse. Repeat every 3-4 days.

Essential Oils

Add a few drops of essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil to a mild soap or shampoo. These oils naturally repel fleas. Avoid getting oils near your pet’s eyes.

Bathing pets regularly with these non-toxic shampoos removes fleas while making your pet’s skin inhospitable for re-infestation. Continue bathing weekly to prevent recurring populations.

Step 3: Use Natural Home Sprays and Powders

There are several powerful, all-natural flea killers you can easily make at home using ingredients from your pantry or garden. Try these effective options:

Salt and Baking Soda Carpet Powder

Sprinkle a fine layer of common table salt and baking soda across all carpets, rugs, and pet bedding. The salt dehydrates fleas while the baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate that dissolves exoskeletons. Let sit for 3-4 hours before thoroughly vacuuming.

Lemon and Rosemary Spray

Boil rosemary leaves in water for 30 minutes then add fresh lemon juice. Transfer to a spray bottle once cooled. Spray onto furniture, pet beds, carpets, and anywhere fleas are detected. This provides up to 7 days of protection.

Peppermint Castile Soap Spray

Add 20-30 drops of peppermint essential oil to 2 cups of Castile soap mixed with 1 gallon of water. Shake well and transfer to a spray bottle. Spray around baseboards, under furniture, on pet beds, and anywhere fleas may hide.

Cedarwood Spray

Cedarwood naturally repels insects. Add 15 drops cedarwood essential oil and 1 ounce of vodka to a 16 ounce spray bottle filled with water. Mist onto furniture, pet beds, carpets, drapes, and anywhere else fleas may linger.

These natural homemade flea sprays and powders effectively kill adult fleas and larvae while providing lasting residual protection against re-infestation. Reapply weekly for best results.

Step 4: Use Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural mineral dust that can eliminate fleas in your home without toxic chemicals. DE contains microscopic razor-sharp edges that cut into fleas’ exoskeletons, causing lethal dehydration. Follow these tips for using DE:

Apply a fine layer of food-grade DE across carpets, rugs, and pet bedding. Rub it in well with a broom.
Focus on areas pets frequent like under furniture, in corner crevices, and inside pet crates.
Wear a mask when applying to avoid inhaling the dust.
Let DE sit for 12-24 hours before vacuuming up. This gives the dust time to fully penetrate the fleas’ exoskeletons.
Re-apply weekly for lasting protection. DE is safe for pets and people.

Diatomaceous earth provides a chemical-free way to safely eliminate fleas. Its sharp edges kill fleas by dehydration without harming pets or humans when food-grade powder is used.

Step 5: Use Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms that seek out and kill flea larvae. The nematodes contain a bacteria that is deadly to flea larvae but harmless to pets, plants, and humans. Here is how to use them:

Purchase parasite-killer nematodes online or from garden stores. Common varieties include Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis species.
Mix nematodes with water per package instructions. Shake well to evenly distribute.
Spray or sprinkle onto soil and any flea-infested areas like pet beds, under furniture, and in crevices.
Reapply every 2-4 weeks until infestation is under control. Nematodes require moist environments.
Avoid direct sunlight and store unused nematodes in the fridge. Rinse out spray bottles well after use.

Using flea-killing nematodes provides a powerful, pet-safe way to eliminate flea larvae in your yard and home. Their bacteria destroy larvae without any chemicals. Follow packaging carefully for best results.

Step 6: Maintain Diligent Sanitation and Grooming

Getting rid of a flea infestation requires diligent, thorough, and ongoing sanitation practices. Follow these grooming and cleaning tips:

Comb pets daily with a fine-toothed flea comb. This helps pluck out adult fleas and eggs.
Bathe pets weekly with natural shampoos. Bathing removes fleas and makes fur inhospitable.
Check for fleas daily. Examine pets closely, especially around the stomach, tail, and neck. Also check bedding and carpets for signs like “flea dirt.”
Wash all pet bedding weekly in hot, soapy water. Thoroughly vacuum pet areas. Use steam cleaners on carpets and rugs.
Clean crevices where flea eggs collect such as baseboards, behind furniture, and edges of carpet. Use natural sprays.
Treat outdoor areas like dog houses, under porches, and shady areas in your yard where fleas may breed.
Empty vacuum bags and cans after each use. Fleas can survive and repopulate from vacuum debris.
Continue treatments for 6-8 weeks until all fleas are eliminated. It takes this long to interrupt natural lifecycles.

Diligent sanitation practices are essential for eliminating existing fleas and preventing recurring infestations. Maintain thorough grooming, cleaning, vacuuming, and monitoring even after fleas are gone. Consistency is key for lasting relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of Fleas Naturally

How long does it take to get rid of fleas naturally?

It can take 4-8 weeks to fully eliminate a flea infestation using natural methods. Flea eggs can survive up to 100 days, so treatments must be maintained diligently for multiple weeks to interrupt the flea lifecycle. Consistency is key.

What scent do fleas hate?

Fleas strongly dislike the smells of lemon, peppermint, and cedarwood. Use these essential oils in homemade sprays and powders to repel fleas. They also dislike the smell of vinegar.

Does salt kill fleas?

Yes, ordinary table salt kills fleas by dehydrating them. Salt crystals absorb moisture and disrupt bodily functions once in contact with fleas. Generously sprinkle carpets, let sit for a few hours, then vacuum up. The abrasive texture of salt also damages their exoskeletons. Reapply weekly.

Do fleas die on their own?

No, fleas require blood meals from hosts to survive. They can live 2-3 months feeding on pets or humans. Fleas won’t die off on their own unless hosts are treated and environments made inhospitable through cleaning, vacuuming, heating, and natural treatments. Their eggs can survive without hosts for 100 days.

Can fleas live in human hair?

Yes, in rare cases human flea infestations occur, especially with close contact to domestic animals. Fleas may temporarily hop onto humans but cannot reproduce. Comb hair thoroughly with a nit comb and use natural shampoos to remove them. Keep pets treated and environments clean.

Will fleas fall off on their own?

No, fleas securely cling to animal fur and human hair to reach blood meals. They won’t fall off on their own until they die, which takes 2-3 months. Use flea combs, shampoos, and diligent grooming to actively remove fleas instead of waiting for them to leave. Vacuum thoroughly wherever pets frequent.

Do fleas die in the washing machine?

Yes, washing pet bedding in hot, soapy water will kill fleas, larvae, and eggs. Use the hot water setting and add laundry detergent. Dry items on a hot cycle as well. Any fleas that detach in the washer will go down the drain. Thoroughly clean machines after use to prevent re-infestation.

What home remedy kills flea eggs?

Diatomaceous earth (DE) powder is effective at killing flea eggs. DE contains tiny sharp edges that cut into eggs, causing dehydration and death. Apply DE across carpets, into crevices, and anywhere fleas breed. Let sit for up to 24 hours before vacuuming. Reapply weekly for lasting protection as eggs continue to hatch.

Does vinegar kill flea eggs?

No, vinegar does not directly kill flea eggs. However, it helps repel and kill adult fleas with its acidic properties. Use apple cider vinegar and water as a natural pet shampoo. Its antiseptic properties help prevent skin infections from bites. Vinegar also deters fleas from laying additional eggs. But it does not kill existing eggs.

Conclusion

Eliminating fleas from your home without toxic chemicals is very possible with the right combination of natural treatments and diligent effort. It takes consistency and patience, but natural ingredients like diatomaceous earth, beneficial nematodes, salt, vinegar, and essential oils can safely kill fleas, larvae, and eggs. Combined with thorough cleaning, washing, combing, and vacuuming, these remedies help break the flea lifecycle and provide lasting relief from infestations. Stick to a regimen for 6-8 weeks using multiple natural methods, and you can get rid of fleas for good the natural way.

How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally in 6 Easy Steps