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Beauty Tips

How to Get Rid of Fleas

Amanda Gurton 7 min read Beginner
Home remedies for fleas

Quick summary

This article explains how to break a flea infestation by treating pets and the home at the same time. For dogs it suggests thorough combing, a diluted apple-cider-vinegar and baking-soda rinse, and careful use of borax, while for cats it recommends lemon spray, flea combs with soapy water, and beneficial nematodes in the yard. The guide emphasizes hot-washing pet bedding, repeated vacuuming, and consulting a vet before using essential oils, garlic, or strong homemade mixtures on animals.

Key Takeaways

  • Treat the pet and the home at the same time to break the flea life cycle.
  • Vacuuming, hot washing, and drying pet bedding are essential steps, not optional extras.
  • Home remedies can irritate or poison pets if they are too strong or used incorrectly.
  • Persistent fleas, skin wounds, weakness, or heavy scratching should be handled with veterinary advice.

Fleas not only affect pets such as dogs and cats, they also affect little children because they like warm vertebrates hence readers should beware. Of course there are lots of home remedies for fleas but, it is vital to acknowledge that what works for me might not work for you. Moreover, it is vital to put into consideration that remedies that have been used to eradicate fleas such as cider vinegar, lemon juice, peppermint, tree oil among others can also suffocate the animals even children to death if they are left in a poorly ventilated room without proper care. If your pet has fleas then be sure that you also have fleas and in order be at peace, treatment should be done all round.  The big question is, how does one get rid of fleas naturally?

The first thing that should be observed is hygiene when getting rid of fleas at home.  Make sure that all foods are covered at all times and that there are no stagnant waters around the home that would make a breading place for insects. Moreover, grass should be kept short and good sewage system should also be put into place.

Home remedies for fleas

Home remedies for fleas on dogs

Dogs are human friends. They are also warm vertebrates that fleas won’t spare. They cause itchiness on dogs.  Well, even though dogs cannot eat garlic when raw, the owner can take the responsibility of preparing dog’s meals using garlic. But, it is vital to note that when dogs take garlic in large amounts, it affects them adversely hence care should be taken on the quantity of the garlic taken by the dogs

Fleas only survive on high temperatures of 65-80 degrees Celsius  thus why not consider creating a lower temperature of about 20 degrees to make them inactive and prevent them from moving from one host to another?  Did you know that most of the remedies that are available in the market today only focus on eradicating adult pests while forgetting their eggs, well, when the eggs are denatured too, their cycle won’t complete and that simply means that after a while, there will be no more fleas?

Fleas can also be done away with by a suitable dog comb to comb the dog thoroughly and get rid of them one by one. After combing the dog, consider washing the dog using appropriate antiseptic such as lemon juice to kill the micro-organisms that might be present such as flea eggs.

According to most veterinarians, borax detergent works best while getting rid of fleas on dogs at home.  This is because fleas do not have little or no fat on their bodies hence once they get into contact with this detergent, it goes direct into their system and believes me you, and they die without hesitation. One good thing about this detergent is that it not only kill the adult fleas, it also eradicates the eggs hence  if the procedure is repeated, there will be no more breeding for the fleas and sooner or later, they will be long gone

Another way of killing fleas on dogs is through suing a mixture of apple cider vinegar, salt, water and baking powder. Put same quantities of these products and mix properly, after which, the mixture should be applied on the dog’s hair and leave for a period of twenty to thirty minutes for the reaction.  Then rinse using warm water. This process should be repeated on a daily basis for a period of two to three weeks and there will be no more fleas.

Home remedies for fleas on cats

There is no doubt that fleas cannot cope up with the smell of lemon, fight them with what they hate most.  Using the most suitable cat comb, comb the cat while keeping in mind to fall off the fleas on soapy water. After combing, apply the citrus all over their body while keeping in mind to keep off their eyes, this scent will keep them off and they will not want to ever come back. All the same, one can extract the lemon juice, add some little amount of water into the juice them pour the mixture in a spray and spray the cat all over the body, this works best as it is appropriate and saves time.

Did you know that fleas on cats can also be fought biologically? Well, this kind of warfare has worked perfectly well for most people and today they are happy to see their cats roaming freely in their gardens without fear. Nematodes had done it before and they are still getting rid of the fleas. People will be asking how they manage to do it.  Nematodes depend on insects for survival, they are not harmful to pests and human beings, but, they do destroy flea larvae only under suitable conditions.   For one who is looking forward to reducing the fleas on their cat, it is crucial to provide these worms with moist soils.  They are simply placed near the fleas and within no time, an individual will realize the impact on the fleas’ population.

One should make good use of the fact that fleas like high temperatures and they also like light.  Well, just trap them using light and warm soapy water. This is as simple as ensuring light by placing a shallow plate with warm soapy water in place.  In return, they will hop towards the light and in the process they will be stack.

Just as discussed earlier, one solution will work for me but it won’t work for you.  This is as a result of different locations and altitudes. Moreover,  one should not give up  after trying out one remedy in vain, the other one should also be considered and so does the third idea altogether. Moreover, it is recommended that only one remedy should be considered at a time as mixing them might worsen the situation by interfering with one another.  Create a conducive environment for your pets by learning how to get rid of fleas that are roaming in the garden

Clean the home as well as the pet

To get rid fleas properly, treat the pet and the living space at the same time. Adult fleas live on animals, but eggs, larvae, and pupae often fall into carpets, bedding, sofa seams, rugs, and cracks in the floor. Wash pet bedding, blankets, cushion covers, and washable rugs in hot water, then dry them on high heat if the fabric allows. Vacuum slowly and thoroughly, especially along skirting boards, under furniture, and where pets sleep. Empty the vacuum canister or bag outside immediately so fleas are not released back indoors.

Use flea combing the right way

A fine-toothed flea comb is most useful when it is part of a daily routine. Comb from the head toward the tail, paying close attention to the neck, belly, tail base, and behind the ears. Dip the comb into warm soapy water after each pass to remove fleas and flea dirt. This will not solve a heavy infestation alone, but it helps reduce adult fleas, shows whether treatment is working, and is gentle enough for many pets when done calmly.

Be careful with home remedies

Natural does not always mean safe. Essential oils, strong citrus sprays, garlic, borax, and concentrated vinegar can irritate skin, upset breathing, or be toxic to dogs, cats, and children if used incorrectly. Cats are especially sensitive to many oils and chemicals because they groom themselves and absorb residues. If a pet has raw skin, heavy scratching, hair loss, pale gums, or signs of weakness, skip experiments and speak with a veterinarian. Use pet-labeled flea treatments exactly as directed for the animal’s species, age, and weight.

For related advice, see [10 Beauty Tips for Women](/10-beauty-tips-for-women), [11 Steps for healing a burnt tongue](/11-steps-for-healing-a-burnt-tongue) and [Acid Reflux Home Remedies](/acid-reflux-home-remedies).

Veterinarians commonly recommend an integrated approach: use a flea treatment that is labeled for the pet’s species and weight, clean the home repeatedly, and avoid harsh homemade mixtures on animal skin. This is especially important for cats, puppies, kittens, elderly pets, and any animal with irritated or broken skin.

Amanda Gurton Expert opinion

Conclusion

Getting rid of fleas takes more than removing the insects you can see. Fleas reproduce quickly, so the pet, bedding, carpets, furniture, and outdoor resting areas all need attention at the same time.

Good hygiene, regular combing, careful cleaning, and safe flea control methods can break the flea life cycle. If the infestation is heavy or your pet is uncomfortable, veterinary guidance is the safest way to choose an effective treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

It can take several weeks because eggs and pupae may keep hatching after the first cleaning or treatment. Repeated vacuuming, washing bedding, and consistent pet treatment are usually needed.
Yes. Flea eggs and larvae can settle in bedding, sofas, rugs, and carpets, especially where pets rest. Wash fabrics and vacuum soft furnishings carefully.
Lemon scent may repel some fleas, but citrus can irritate pet skin and eyes. It should not be used on broken skin, and cats are especially sensitive to strong homemade sprays.
Fleas often return because eggs, larvae, or pupae remain in the home environment. Treating only the adult fleas on the pet leaves the rest of the life cycle untouched.
Yes. If one pet has fleas, other dogs and cats in the home may also carry them even if they scratch less. Use species-appropriate products and never use dog flea treatment on cats unless the label clearly says it is safe.

Last updated

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed dermatologist or healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.

A
Amanda Gurton

Beauty & Hair Care Editor

Amanda Gurton is a beauty editor and researcher with a focus on translating dermatology and trichology insights into clear, actionable advice. She covers skincare routines, hair health, ingredient science, and everyday beauty habits.

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