Tips to Naturally Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home and on Your Dog
I was told this first tip by an owner of an only-natural pet store.
Recommended before going on a trip so you won’t come back to a flea-infested home.
1) Wash your dog with a natural flea soap. Leave the soap on the dog for ten to fifteen minutes. This will help suffocate fleas. When time is up, water down the dog’s coat well to drown fleas. (You can also wash your dog with regular liquid soap.)
2) After drying your dog thoroughly wash their collar with soap and water. When worn, the collar gets warm under it which helps eggs hatch.
3) Now take the dog outside. Sprinkle baking soda on ALL carpets where the dog has access (unless you or a family member has allergies then ask your doctor about doing this). Keep children out of these areas. Do not be stingy with the baking soda. Sweep baking soda into the carpet with a broom. Leave it on for six hours. If you do this in the summer and your kids are home take them on an outing.
While you’re out the fleas will suffocate from the baking soda. Vacuum up the carpet after the allotted time. In the summer months, I do this routine once a month. I find it does keep down on fleas. If you do not want to use baking soda, vacuum frequently in all areas where the dog walks and sleeps. To limit fleas on carpet keep dogs on wooden or tile floors.
4) Frequently wash dog bedding, soft dog toys, area rugs, and human bedding if the dog sleeps on beds.
Wash the dog every two weeks unless the dog has dry skin problems.
A veterinarian once told me if fleas do not have any live humans or animals to feed on they will die after seven days. Here is a tip from this same veterinarian: For houses with central heat- At the beginning of summer turn your heat way up. Leave home (no adults, kids, or animals in a hot house.) This will get flea eggs hatching. Come home in the evening, turn off the heat, and vacuum up fleas and their eggs. (NEVER leave home with a space heater on!)
Last note: From the natural pet store I have gotten both Brewers Yeast and Brewers Yeast plus Garlic to give to my dogs to rid fleas the natural way. Both only worked so so, and one of my dog’s tummy did not like the yeast. Though a chlorinated pool is not very natural, my Labrador did have fewer fleas it seemed by playing in the pool.
Also note, if you give your dog the type of flea medicine where you dab it on their back and your dog swims A LOT, my Veterinarian says it will wash off after so much swim time. So keep that in mind.
Tell a friend about these natural ways to control the flea population in your home and on your dog.
