There are over 2,000 species of flea in the world and they are a major issue for most pets and their owners. A flea infestation can get out of hand very quickly because each female can produce up to 50 eggs a day.
However, thankfully, nature has provided us with many ways to eradicate fleas and we are going to share them with you below. Here are 8 natural remedies that will help you get rid of a tortuous flea infestation.
Rosemary contains very powerful ingredients that can help to create an environment that’s unpleasant to fleas. Furthermore, it can also help to heal flea bites.
How to make it:
• Take two cups of rosemary leaves and put them in a pan with 1 liter of water.
• Boil the mixture for 30 minutes.
• Strain the liquid and throw away the leaves.
• Mix this liquid with 4.5 liters of warm water.
• Pour this over your pet and let it air dry.
2. Use Flea Combs
A flea comb is one of the most effective ways to get rid of fleas. Unlike other combs, the teeth of a flea comb are finely spaced, meaning that it traps and removes fleas, flea eggs, and flea dirt from your pet’s fur. After your pet’s fur is dry, comb through it multiple times and cover the whole skin area to make sure you’ve gotten rid of all the fleas.
How to make it:
• Prepare a bucket with hot water and dish soap mixed together. This is to rinse the flea comb as you go through your pet’s fur.
• Place some newspapers under your pet and the bucket to catch any escaping fleas.
• Start from the head, neck, and shoulders and word toward the back of your pet.
• Stroke the comb in the direction of the fur’s growth in order to remove fleas, eggs, dirt, and dead hair.
• Rinse the comb in the soapy water when you see it getting full.
• Continue down the sides and belly of your pet.
• Finish by combing your pet’s legs and tails.
• Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
• If you’re doing this indoors, make sure to vacuum the area.
4. Make Your Own Flea Collar
Take your pet’s collar and add a drop of tea tree oil to the inside of it. According to Mayo Clinic, tea tree oil can be used to treat different kinds of pet infestations and infections such as fleas and dermatitis.
Use with caution:
• Don’t put tea tree oil on cats. Cats have the ability to metabolize essential oils. Therefore, whether they inhale, ingest, or absorb it through the skin, it can be poisonous to them.
• Use only one drop of tea tree oil on your pet’s collar.
• Repeat weekly.
6. Vinegar Spray
Vinegar has been used for centuries to clean and deodorize. It can also be used to get rid of fleas. The best way to do this is to create a solution with water and spray it gently on the animal’s fur, bedding, house, and carpets.
How to make it:
• Add a ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar to a spray bottle.
• Fill the same bottle up with a ¾ cup of water.
• Shake well and spray gently on your pet’s fur.
• Leave on your pet for 1-3 hours.
• Rinse off.
• Repeat 2-3 times a week.
Salt is a dehydration agent that dries out fleas by altering the pH balance of the fluid that carries nutrition and oxygen in their bodies. Furthermore, it also kills eggs, making this a perfect natural repellent.
How to use it:
• Identify the area of infestation.
• Apply a generous amount of table salt to the infested areas.
• Leave it there for 2-3 hours before vacuuming it up.
• Treat your pet to a nice salty bath.
• Repeat daily until the infestation has gone.
8. Make a Trap Using a Bowl of Soapy Water
By using water, soap, and light, you can create an incredibly effective flea trap. Soap contains surfactants that lower the surface tension of water which will result in sinking and drowning – even when just a couple of drops of soap are added to the water. Fleas are attracted to light, so using an aluminum pie pan to set up the trap will work wonders.
How to do it:
• Fill an aluminum pie pan with water.
• Add 3-4 drops of dish soap.
• Place it on the floor.
• Leave it there for 24 hours.
• Do this in multiple rooms.
• Repeat every day until you see no more fleas.
Source: brightside
Images: depositphotos