We all believe that fleas attack mostly animals. This is a totally wrong assumption. They can attack anyone including human beings, especially those of you who love caressing pets. Once they infest your house, they could be a real headache and create a host of problems for you. Today, there are a number of chemical formulas available in the market for taking care of fleas. But they may not be a safe option when you have kids and pets at home.
Just as effective as chemical formulas, minus their harmful effect are natural methods for treating fleas. They not only keep your house safe for your kids and pets, but also help in complete removal of fleas from the house as well as the bodies of your pets. Considering the fact that fleas can thrive on warm and moist atmospheres, the summer months are the most susceptible. Take a look at these safe natural methods for eradicating fleas forever.
Safe Solutions For Fleas
Calendula Oil
When your pet is infested with fleas, the itching could be intense and maddening. It’s unfortunate that they cannot communicate their feelings to you. For relieving their discomfort and preventing the fleas from getting attached on their furry coats, apply calendula oil generously on their furry body. Calendula oil will help keep the fleas away from their bodies and prevent them from getting attacked in the first place.
Vinegar
When your pet is infested with fleas, you could be stressed out preventing the fleas from getting into your house. This could be easier said than done. To keep them out of your house, take one tsp of vinegar and add it to 5 cups of water that you give your pet for drinking. Vinegar is a disinfectant and will help to kill the fleas in your dog’s body. You can use a vinegar bath for your pet before shampooing his body with an antibacterial shampoo. Apply vinegar on his body and leave it for 15 minutes before you wash it off.
Vinegar Treatment
Vinegar treatment can be done inside of your house as well for eradicating the fleas. You can choose the possible areas that could be affected by fleas and spray vinegar in these areas. Continue this treatment every day for about at least a month. This will effectively remove all the fleas from the house as well.
Eucalyptus And Wintergreen
Take a cup of water and add a few drops of winter green and eucalyptus oil into it. Mix it thoroughly until you get an even texture. Using a spray bottle, spray it in areas that could be affected by fleas, including the upholstery and furniture. The strong scent of the oils can repel the fleas and make them retract their steps from your house. Continue doing this until all the fleas are effectively removed from your house.
Eucalyptus branches can be kept inside the house and the leaves can be spread on areas where your pet lives and under the bedding and upholstery for the same benefit.
Vacuuming
The eggs and the larvae can spread fast and become uncontrollable. Therefore, it is important to prevent the flea population from multiplying rapidly. Vacuuming is one of the best ways to prevent as well as remove fleas from your furniture and carpets. Ensure that you do vacuuming at least thrice a week, if you notice fleas. Vacuuming can help keep the fleas away as well. It is a good practice to vacuum at least two times a week if you have pets at home.
Hot Water Treatment For Your Rugs and Carpets
When there is a flea infestation at home, it is important to treat the carpets and rugs where your pets could be sleeping on a regular basis with hot water. Washing them with hot water will ensure that the larvae and the eggs are destroyed completely without allowing them to reproduce. Rugs and floor mats can be washed in the washing machine. Bigger carpets can be sent to the cleaners for steam treatment.
Herbs
Certain herbs are found to be very repulsive for insects, especially fleas. Ennyroyal is an herb that can repel fleas from the hose. You can put them inside the house or near your dog’s kennel. Similarly, your pet’s bedding can be sprinkled with cedar shavings to prevent fleas form attacking. Cedar wood too can be used a barrier in your gardens and near your pet’s kennel to prevent fleas from entering and attacking your pet.
Essential Oils
If fleas have started attacking you as well, care has to be taken to protect your skin from the attacks. You can use lavender oil for this purpose. A few drops of lavender essential oil can be used in the water that you take bath. It can also be used for rubbing on your skin for best results.
Lemongrass oil is another herbal oil that can be used for rubbing on your body. Other essential oils that can be used on your skin are eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil for repelling the fleas. The strong aroma of these oils is what keeps the fleas away.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves too can do a wonderful job in keeping the fleas away from your premises. Sprinkle bay leaves on you furniture and upholstery and inside the pet’s kennel and bedding. You can plant bay leaves near the kennel and in your garden to prevent flea infestation.
Try A Citrus Spray
Fleas can be removed by using a citrus spray. Citrus fruits and their scent act as natural flea repellents. For making an effective citrus spray, take a few lemons and slice them into two. Boil the in a pot of hot water for 10 minutes. Allow this mixture to stand for a night. Fill them in a spray bottle and use them in all areas affected, including your pet’s body.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.