Fleas are back – and they’ve brought the whole itchy family.
Whether you’re finding them on your pets, in your carpet, or crawling across your sanity, getting rid of fleas naturally can feel impossible. But before you douse your dog in lemon water and hope for the best (spoiler: don’t), let’s break down the flea remedies that actually work – and the ones that just waste your time.
Here’s your no-fluff, tested-by-desperation guide to natural home flea treatments.
Natural Flea treatments / Home Remedies.
Now, natural treatments and home remedies are a tricky business. Some solutions work, and some are old wives’ tales. It’s important to note that the remedies we recommend are based on treating your home. There are a few home remedies that you can use on your pet, and I wouldn’t recommend adding concoctions to your pet without seeking a vet’s opinion.
Ok, so we’ve got that out of the way, let’s look at some.
Lemon Spray – A common but useless flea remedy
Verdict: Doesn’t work
This one shows up in natural remedy lists all the time, but let’s be honest – lemon spray isn’t doing much.
The idea is that citric acid repels fleas. Maybe. But when I tried spraying chopped lemon water around the house, the fleas threw a party instead. They don’t smell well enough for this to be effective, and there isn’t enough citric acid in a DIY spray to make a difference.
Bicarbonate of soda & salt
Verdict: Works
Bicarbonate of soda is an interesting home flea treatment.
This one surprised me. Sprinkle a mix of bicarbonate of soda and table salt on your carpets and upholstery, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then vacuum it all up. The idea? It dehydrates the flea eggs and larvae. While it may not murder adult fleas on sight, it hits their future generations hard.
Pro tip: Empty your vacuum immediately after, or you’re just giving the fleas a scenic tour of your home.
Dish Soap Traps – flea graveyard (But only if you help)
Verdict: Only works with traps
Spraying dish soap on your furniture? Nope. But using dish soap traps? That’s a little different. Fill a shallow dish or ramekin with water and a drop of dish soap. Place it near a night light or lamp. Fleas are attracted to the light, jump in, and then get trapped by the soap.
Use this alongside a flea comb for best results. Don’t smear Fairy on your dog! Keep that for your dish
Vacuuming – Simple but effective
Verdict: Works!
It’s not fancy, but it works. Fleas hide in cracks, under rugs, behind furniture – basically, wherever your vacuum hasn’t been lately. Vacuum like you’re being paid for it. Daily. With drama.
Nice and simple, and a super effective flea treatment.
Flea Baths – And not the relaxing soak on a Friday night.
Verdict: WORKS
Just to be clear, we’re talking about showering your pet.
Water alone won’t kill fleas instantly, but it slows them down long enough for a flea comb to finish the job. Use a natural flea shampoo (chamomile or lavender-based), and be patient. If your dog loves water, great. If not, short, frequent baths can still help.
Flea Remedies to Avoid!
We’ve put these in because we’ve seen these recommended! DO NOT USE THEM!
- Essential Oils: Many are toxic to pets. Don’t guess. Ask your vet.
- Vinegar Sprays: Smells bad, works worse.
- Rubbing Alcohol Sprays: Fire hazard, skin irritant, and not effective.
Conclusion
Fleas are the worst roommates imaginable. But with a little consistency (and a lot of vacuuming), you can kick them out naturally. Just remember – if your pet seems uncomfortable or you’re not seeing results, it’s time to talk to your vet.
Got a weird flea remedy that worked? Share it below so we can judge it together. you MUST CONSULT YOUR VET!