Using natural remedies such as
Eucalyptus is so powerful that it can kill fleas and repel them, making it a worthy tool in your arsenal during every step of the process of treating a flea problem. For the most effective pest control, a eucalyptus spray can be used around frequent flea hotspots such as pet bedding and the corners of carpets.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Fleas hate the smell of eucalyptus so it is a great option to use around the home. Eucalyptus can be added to water in a fine mist spray bottle to spray over bedding, floors, or couches to keep fleas away.
A 2017 study published by the Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases found that thyme and myrtle essential oils can repel fleas effectively. Cedarwood oil can also repel fleas from fabric, people, and pets, according to Healthline.
Clean bedding regularly and vacuum furniture, floors and skirting boards to help destroy fleas at each stage of their lifecycle. Throw away the dust bag from your vacuum after each use to prevent any flea eggs and larvae from developing.
In other words, different skin reactions, as well as the levels of gases, differs between humans depending on their genes. For example, some people may produce more carbon dioxide than others from their skin reactions, which is a common attractant to various blood-sucking insects and pests, such as fleas.
Tea Tree Oil: Adding tea tree essential oil to your shampoo can help curb flea infestation. The oil is traditionally used (in its diluted form) to eliminate fleas in pets and on carpets, couches, etc. Research suggests that tea tree oil is effective in managing fleas (1).
While fleas have an impressive sense of smell, one of the only smells they are attracted to is carbon dioxide. Many scents can repel fleas, including mint, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, and citronella. You may consider adding some pet-friendly plants that repel pests to your garden to help keep fleas at bay.
Thoroughly bathe pets with soap and water, then comb them with a flea comb. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail. Soap will act as a gentle insecticide to kill adult fleas.
Eucalyptus essential oil
Many people enjoy adding eucalyptus essential oil to an oil diffuser since its earthy scent help improve concentration and reduce stress. Besides these calming properties, it is an efficient flea repellent. Make a water solution and spray carpets and pet bedding.
This is especially helpful when it comes to mosquitoes as eucalyptus has similar effects as citronella which also deters mosquitoes. However, the oil present in eucalyptus goes even further than being a mosquito-repellent. Eucalyptus oil has been proven to repel roaches, ants, flies, spiders, lice, and more.
This fragrant plant is common in many homes because it looks pretty and smells even more decadent. Dried or fresh, eucalyptus is dangerous for your cat. Your cat can experience salivation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion and other concerning symptoms after consuming this potent houseplant.
When it has a host, an adult flea can live about 100 days. But how long can they live without a host? Those fleas typically live only one to two weeks. The entire lifespan of a flea, from egg to adulthood, can last a few weeks or even a few months.
“Therefore, if a rental unit has an untreated flea infestation but is then emptied of people and pets, the flea larvae in cocoons can remain dormant for six to 12 months, waiting until they detect a host.”
If you want ways to kill fleas naturally, salt and baking soda can dehydrate the fleas' bodies, killing them within a day or two. The bugs are also sensitive to high heat and soap, making steam cleaners, hot water and detergent, and hot cycles in the laundry extremely effective at killing them.
Will apple cider vinegar kill fleas? While Apple Cider Vinegar does not kill fleas, it may repel them because fleas dislike its smell and taste. One of the most simple ways to use this natural flea repellent is to make a solution out of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.
Lemon spray
To make this flea spray, slice a lemon thinly and add to a pint of water and bring to the boil. Let the citrus solution sit overnight and pour into a spray bottle. The next day take the citrus solution and spray it on the infested areas in your home – sofas, pet bedding, chairs etc.
It is a daily common myth that fleas will eventually just go away on their own, but this is far from correct. If you've got a flea infestation, you can't afford to wait for the problem to resolve itself – it won't.