How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally in 6 Easy Steps (2024)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally

1. Identify the Source of the Fleas

   This step could be as simple as your pet being the source. Pets often bring fleas in from outside. If your yard has a recurring wildlife issue, this could create a recurring flea issue.

   • Rodents carry fleas that could spread to your dog or cat. Remove items from along the foundation of your house, including pallets, woodpiles, dense vegetation, and areas that provide cover for rodents right up against your home's foundation.
   • Consider rodent removal methods (other than your housecat).

   

2. Screen Off Gaps and Vents

   Under your home is a crawlspace area that is especially appealing to wildlife. When hot outside, this space provides shade; when it's cold, it provides shelter and warmth. Fleas peak in summer, and popular animal hangout zones can be a haven for fleas. If your pet can access this space, they will likely pick up fleas at that spot.

   Inspect the vents and screens around your home's foundation and the roofline. These screens aren't designed to keep fleas out, but they are designed to keep wildlife out. Look for knocked-out corners and other holes or damage. These should be repaired or screened off by screwing pieces of 1/4" mesh cut down to size. When damaged, these areas can become entry points for flea-carrying wildlife like:

   • Mice
   • Rats
   • Squirrels
   • Raccoons
   • Birds

   Tip

   Avoid sealing gaps with spray foam. Most animals, including rats, can chew through spray foam easily. Screening off holes is the best way to handle it, but you could also pack smaller holes and gaps tightly with steel wool.

   

3. Clean Pet Resting Areas

   Fleas lay their eggs on their host (your pet), but their eggs do not stick to your pet's hair. Instead, the eggs easily fall off and will pile up most where your pet spends time resting and relaxing.

   • Wash and dry your pet's bedding regularly and vacuum your pet's resting areas frequently. Often, dog houses are forgotten, but if you're working hard to get rid of fleas inside and your dog goes out and picks up more flea eggs in their doghouse, that will be a problem when it comes to your flea control efforts.
   • Flea eggs are especially prone to piling up inside the cracks of sofas. If your dog or cat is allowed on the furniture, vacuum the cushions of your couch, remove them, and then vacuum all the cracks and crevices of your sofa.
     

   

   Tip

   If you are dealing with sand fleas or biting midges, these bugs live in hot sandy areas. If you have sand underneath your home, it could be the source of these annoying pests. Seal off these areas restricting your pets from having access to these spaces.
   

4. Vacuum Thoroughly and Frequently

   It can't be said enough for flea control: vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Flea eggs can lie dormant and hidden until movement triggers eggs to hatch. The vacuum will help solve this problem, so leave no nook or cranny unvacuumed.

   • Vacuum all parts of the house. Don't just focus on pet resting areas. While pet beds should be addressed regularly, flea eggs can fall off your pet and into various places, especially between the baseboard and the floorboard.
   • Dispose of your vacuum bag when you're finished.
     

   

5. Wash Your Pet with Bath Oil

   Bathing your pet should be a regular event if you're trying to eliminate fleas inside. While there are medicated shampoos that can be used for fleas, you could also try other products like Skin-So-Soft bath oil.

   To use Skin-So-Soft to get rid of fleas on your pet:

   1. Mix 1.5 oz of Skin-So-Soft with 1 gallon of water.
   2. Use this solution on your pet during baths.
   3. Bathe your pet frequently while you are trying to get rid of fleas.

   Certain studies showed a 31-62% reduction in fleas when animals were bathed with this solution, but the key is soaking them frequently enough that the fleas can't repopulate on your pet. This step will not work well if pet resting areas are not cleaned, and other flea sources aren't addressed.

   

6. Treat Your Pet For Fleas

   Many pet owners want to avoid this step when possible, but in some instances, it's unavoidable, and flea treatment will be necessary.

   A good quality over-the-counter flea treatment can work wonders if you're comfortable treating your furry friend on your own or if there are flea treatment options your vet can provide. Talk to your vet about the best options for your pets. Treatments include:

   • Flea bath and flea comb
   • A topical application product
   • An ingestible flea prevention medication can also control ticks and worms

   

How to Remove Fleas Fast

A very effective, natural insect killer is diatomaceous earth, killing fleas within four hours. It is non-toxic to pets and humans, but it's fine dust, and like any particulate matter, it should not be inhaled. You may want to avoid being around the dust and keep your pet away, or consider wearing a respirator when using or vacuuming the powder.

Itis a naturally occurring powder made from the microscopic remains of diatom algae. The shells of diatoms are made out of silica, soft to the touch for humans but razor-sharp to insects by penetrating their exoskeleton and dehydrating the insect. Never use diatomaceous earth for pool or aquarium use; it's been treated with chemicals and may be unsafe for pets and humans.

When to Call a Professional

Whether you call a professional or not, you must follow the six steps above to deal with fleas.

A pest professional can help when you cannot identify the source of your flea issue or if you're doing everything right and still can't get rid of them. Avoid companies that are too eager to sell a chemical application. While targeted chemical treatment can be necessary to get rid of severe flea problems, it's a band-aid solution if the source of the fleas isn't addressed.