Fighting fleas can be an ongoing battle and it’s not an easy one, especially in the warmer months. There are a lot of prescription and OTC flea treatments that seem to work, but they contain harmful chemicals. Your pet may also be too young to be exposed to any flea medications.

The good news is that there are some natural flea remedies available to help you keep your home and yard free of these tiny pests. Let's take a look at a few natural ways to fight fleas in and around your home.

Vacuum A Lot!

Flea eggs like to hide in rugs and carpet fibers. Vacuuming often and thoroughly can help prevent them from multiplying. Make sure to vacuum along baseboards, behind and under furniture, and in tucked away corners where larvae or eggs may be hiding. Remember one female flea can lay as many as 50 eggs a day!

After you vacuum, empty the bag or canister immediately. And take it on out to the trash receptacle. You don’t want the fleas to get back into your house. You can also steam clean carpets and furniture to help get rid of even more eggs, larvae, or fleas that are still sticking around.

Wash Your Pet’s Bedding Often

Washing your pet’s bedding often in hot soapy water can help keep fleas at bay. It can at least get rid of eggs and larvae, so the population doesn’t have a chance to grow as fast.

Stay on Top of Lawn Care

Maintaining your lawn regularly can help keep fleas out of your home. Tall grass, overwatered areas, and even organic debris like leaves can create a breeding ground for fleas and ticks. In the southern and western US, fleas can survive outdoors all year round. When fleas are living in your yard, it’s too easy for them to hitch a ride indoors on your pets.

Use Pet-Safe Cleaning Products

Natural cleaning products won’t eliminate flea infestations alone. However, they can help remove flea larvae, flea eggs, pet dander, and organic debris. But natural doesn’t always equal effective or safe. The FDA doesn’t have any standard definition for the term “natural,” when it comes to cleaning products.

This means it is on you to read labels carefully! Here are some tips:

·         Look for products marked as pet safe.

·         Choose products with third-party certifications regarding pet safety and efficacy.

·         Avoid essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, clove, and citrus.

·         Stay away from commonly used pine cleaners which contain harmful, harsh ingredients like chlorine, ammonia, and formaldehyde.

Bathing and Grooming Practices to Fight Fleas

If your puppy or kitten is at least 12 weeks old, you can bathe them with a gentle shampoo that is designed to help get rid of fleas. If your pet is too young, bathing them with Dawn dish soap may help. However, this is not a long-term solution for managing fleas. It can buy you some time until you can find a more effective, natural and safe flea solution.

Don’t forget to grab a Pawer Pet Towel for drying your pet off after their baths!

Flea Combs

A flea comb can help you find out if your pet has fleas. Flea combs catch adult fleas, flea feces, and eggs so they can be removed from your animal’s fur. This is very helpful for younger kittens and puppies that are too young for traditional flea medications.

Once you catch fleas in the comb, place them and the comb into isopropyl alcohol to kill them immediately. Make sure to let your vet know so they can help you prevent infestation.

About the Author: Fiona

Fiona is the current President and CEO of Pawer Lab. She makes sure everything is running purrfectly and oversees the day-to-day operations. When Fiona is not working, she enjoys chasing lasers, snacking on treats, or taking long naps in the sun.