Once fleas work their way into your home you’ll find that they’re difficult to kick out. These insects love to feast on your dogs, cats and even you and your family. The eggs of fleas can be dropped and turn into larvae anywhere inside your home. Their eggs can remain dormant for over a year! We have a few effective home remedies that will help you control fleas in your home and stop them from popping up again unexpectedly.
Flea Trap
This is one of the easiest ways to catch and kill a large number of fleas in your home. You’ll need dish washing liquid, a plate of bowl, tea candles and warm water.
- At night, place a plate or bowl filled with water on the floor in any room with fleas.
- Add about a cap full of dish washing liquid to the water.
- Place and light one tea candle inside or near the dish
- Leave overnight (be cautious of leaving fire unattended).
The fleas will be attracted to the light. As they jump towards it they will get stuck in the water and die.
Salt
This common household product can be useful for more than seasoning food. When consumed by fleas, salt works as a dehydration agent and dries out their bodies. All you need for this method is salt and a saltshaker.
- Grind the salt into a fine powder.
- Evenly sprinkle the salt over your carpet in each room.
- Leave for 12 to 48 hours, and then vacuum thoroughly.
Boric Acid
Boric acid works in the same way salt does when eliminating fleas. The substance works as a dehydrating agent or desiccant, and kills fleas by drying them out. For this method you’ll need boric acid and a shaker.
- Vacuum your carpet where you’re going to sprinkle the boric acid and remove all objects
- Sprinkle the acid in thin layers across the carpet.
- Work the acid into the carpet with a soft brush.
- Leave for 12 to 48 hours, and then vacuum thoroughly.
- Continue to vacuum regularly and after a month wash your carpets.
Boric acid can discolor fabrics so be careful as you distribute.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth is the remains of fossilized algae. The cell walls of Diatom are made of silica, which is a component of glass. The exterior of fleas is vulnerable to the sharp edges of diatoms because they can cut through them. As they cut through them they dry out. This can cause death among fleas and their larvae.
- Brush off carpets and vacuum thoroughly. Wash things that you can’t vacuum with hot water.
- Wherever you think fleas and their larvae are sprinkle Diatomaceous earth in thin layers, and leave for 12 to 48 hours.
- Vacuum away the powder and throw away the vacuum bag.
Be sure to buy food grade diatomaceous earth, because other grades are toxic to humans and animals.
Horse Apples
For years, horse apples have been used to repel insects. Horse apple is commonly referred to as Osage oranges, and belong to the mulberry family.
- Take several horse apples and cut them into halves or sections.
- Place the fruit pieces around your house.
These fruits can last for about two to three months in a well-ventilated environment. They control fleas and other insects and rodents.
Rosemary
You can use rosemary to control fleas in your home in several ways. Here’s a recipe you can use throughout your house. You’ll need to mix equal parts rosemary, rue, wormwood, fennel, peppermint and coffee grinder.
- Take each herb and grind them together until they become a fine powder
- Sprinkle the powder on your carpet, pet bedding, furniture and anywhere you think there may be fleas.
This mixture works as a flea repellent, and won’t kill fleas.
Have flea problems and need more than a home remedy? Schedule Your Free Estimate Today!
