Fleas are tiny blood-sucking pests that can cause itching, discomfort, and even more serious health issues if you don’t get rid of them.
Thankfully, there are several at home flea treatment options you can use to keep your dog safe and your home free of these pests. However, you need to be careful to follow instructions carefully and make sure your dog understands what you’re doing!
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Lemon Juice
The natural ingredients in lemon juice can deter fleas and kill the eggs that they might be laying. It also can be sprayed on your pet’s coat to help with flea control.
To make this remedy, simply slice a lemon thinly and put in a pint of boiling water. Cover and let it steep overnight. The next day, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the infected areas in your home.
You can also make a simple lemon bath for your dog by diluting half a cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice into two cups of water. Add a squeeze of your normal pet-friendly soap or shampoo and leave it on for a few minutes to kill existing fleas.
Another natural at home flea treatment is to sprinkle finely ground salt over carpets and other infested areas. Salt acts as a dehydrating agent and will dry out adult fleas, killing them.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a great at home flea treatment for dogs. It’s cheaper and more effective than prescription and over-the-counter anti-flea medications.
It can be used as an oral remedy for dogs, mixed with food or diluted with water. It also helps rebalance a dog’s pH levels and create a healthy environment for their immune system.
Vinegar can also be used to relieve itchy skin or rashes caused by yeast and poison ivy. Just be sure to dilute it with water to a 50/50 ratio before applying it to your dog.
You can find apple cider vinegar at most grocery stores or natural human markets. Look for a label that says “raw” or “organic.” It’s not pasteurized, and it contains the “mother,” a beneficial bacteria and yeast that ferments the apple cider into vinegar.
Citrus
Fleas are a major problem for both dogs and their owners. These parasitic pests spread diseases, cause allergic reactions and even pose health risks.
To prevent fleas, you need to make sure your pet has a healthy coat and is regularly bathed with a mild shampoo. You also need to vacuum your home, and keep your pets’ bedding clean and free from fleas.
One of the best natural at home flea treatments is lemon juice. It kills fleas by suffocating them.
Another way to use lemon is as a spray. You can spray it directly on your dog, but you should avoid the eyes and other sensitive areas.
The scent of lemon and the limonene in it can be very deterrent for fleas, so they won’t come near your dog. You can spray a solution of lemon and water on your dog’s fur, or you can add it to a dog shampoo and apply it to your pet’s coat.
Sulfur
When it comes to getting rid of fleas, there are several natural remedies that can work wonders. A few of these include sulfur, which can be a great alternative to chemical pesticides.
Sulfur is an insect growth regulator (IGR), which kills fleas by disrupting their development cycle. It also prevents new flea eggs from being laid and helps break the cycle of fleas re-infesting your home.
Diatomaceous earth is another natural remedy that works to kill fleas by drying out their exoskeletons and infiltrating their bodies to draw moisture out of them. It’s a powder-like substance that you can buy at most holistic pet supply stores and health stores.
It can also be mixed with water and sprayed on plants and lawn area that are infested by fleas. It’s also a great way to get rid of any other insects that may be present in your yard and garden. It’s a safe and effective treatment for flea control and can be sprayed on any areas that your dog spends most of her time.
