Home Remedies for Fleas in House

Fleas are all types of non-flying and blood sucking insects belonging to the order Siphonaptera. They are small in size and usually dark in color. Their characteristic feature is their mouth that is adapted for piercing and sucking in order to suck blood. Although fleas are commonly found on the bodies of cats and dogs, one may even find them in clean air-conditioned homes.

Fleas in House

Most of the time, pets like cats and dogs bring in fleas. Therefore, if you see fleas at home, the first thing you must do is to check your pets. Fleas pass from pets to humans and also from person to person. Hence, there are many chances of fleas entering your homes. They multiply very quickly and in large numbers. If you see your pet scratching more than necessary, it is a sure sign that it is infected by fleas. People notice fleas only when they get bitten by it. Flea bite can cause a lot of itching and hence, a person surely knows the presence of fleas on him or in the house.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas

Vacuuming: A thorough vacuuming around the house, especially, the carpets is necessary as fleas get stuck mostly in the carpets. You should also remove and wash all the bedding, mats and rugs in the house if possible. Keep vacuuming regularly even after the first wash to prevent the spread of fleas.

Foggers: A fogger is a low-cost pest control equipment containing insecticide. Although foggers are beneficial, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration before using foggers. The most important thing is that foggers are flammable and hence need to be kept away from pilot lights and naked flame. It should not be used if there are small children or fish at home. But, they can be effective if used according to the given directions.

External Pest Control: Along with your home, you also need to spray pesticides in the garden, lawn, porch or veranda. There are specific pesticides available that are meant for gardens, but you can even use the same insecticides or pesticides that you use in the house. These areas should not be ignored as they are frequented by pets and humans.

Pet Treatment: When hunting for fleas on your pets or in the hair, you will need a flea comb. Once you comb the hair of your pets, put the comb immediately in water to kill the fleas. Your pet may not like you brushing his fur with wet comb, but it is effective to get rid of the fleas. You can wash your pet's coat with a non-toxic and mild shampoo. Another alternative is to take your pet to the vet for treating fleas.

Insecticides: Spraying insecticide is the best way to get rid of fleas in house. There are several insecticides available in the market. Borax powder is widely used to get rid of fleas as it is non-toxic. All the insecticides should be kept out of reach of children and should not come in contact with eyes.

Other Remedies: You must also have heard of other traditional remedies for fleas, like aromatherapy repellent or the use of citrus fruits like lemons in water. These are useful to get rid of fleas on the coats of pets. Feeding brewer's yeast or garlic to your dog also helps in keeping the fleas away. You can also use dehumidifiers along with air-conditioners to lower humidity as fleas thrive in places with more higher humidity.