How to get rid of fleas in the house using folk remedies, which recipes to use? - briefly
Apply diatomaceous earth, a mixture of equal parts salt and baking soda, and a spray of diluted white vinegar with a few drops of lemon essential oil to carpets, pet bedding, and cracks; let it dry before vacuuming. Wash all fabrics in water above 60 °C and repeat the treatment weekly until fleas disappear.
How to get rid of fleas in the house using folk remedies, which recipes to use? - in detail
Eliminating fleas from a dwelling can be achieved with a series of natural treatments that target all stages of the insect’s development. The process begins with thorough sanitation, continues with the application of homemade sprays or powders, and ends with preventive measures to stop re‑infestation.
First, remove adult insects and eggs from the environment. Vacuum carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and cracks in flooring daily for at least two weeks; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately after each use. Wash all bedding, pet blankets, and removable covers in water hotter than 60 °C (140 °F). Sprinkle a thin layer of fine salt on carpets and leave it for 12–24 hours; the salt desiccates eggs and larvae, then vacuum the residue.
Second, apply folk‑based solutions that are safe for humans and pets when used as directed.
- Diatomaceous earth (food grade) – 1 cup per 10 m² of floor space. Lightly dust the area, leave for 48 hours, then vacuum. The microscopic silica particles abrade the exoskeleton of fleas, causing dehydration.
- Baking soda and salt mixture – ½ cup baking soda + ½ cup salt per 5 m². Spread, wait 24 hours, then vacuum. Both substances absorb moisture from the insects.
- Lemon‑vinegar spray – Combine the juice of 2 lemons, 500 ml white vinegar, and 500 ml water. Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Transfer to a spray bottle, apply to pet bedding, cracks, and under furniture. The citric acid and essential oils repel adult fleas and discourage egg laying.
- Neem leaf powder – 2 tablespoons per litre of warm water. Stir until dissolved, let cool, then spray on carpet edges and pet resting spots. Neem contains azadirachtin, which interferes with flea reproduction.
- Chrysanthemum (pyrethrum) powder – 1 teaspoon per litre of water, simmer for 10 minutes, cool, and spray on indoor plant soil and floor margins. Pyrethrins act as a contact insecticide, killing larvae and adult fleas on contact.
- Borax and sugar bait – Mix ½ cup borax with ½ cup granulated sugar, place in shallow dishes near pet areas. The sugar attracts adult fleas; borax disrupts their digestive system. Keep out of reach of children and animals.
Third, maintain conditions that are hostile to flea development. Reduce indoor humidity to below 50 % using a dehumidifier; fleas thrive in moist environments. Trim grass and shrubs around the home to limit outdoor reservoirs. Treat pets with a regular regimen of natural flea‑control shampoos containing diluted apple cider vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) applied weekly.
Finally, repeat the entire cycle—cleaning, treatment, and environmental control—every two weeks for at least six weeks, which covers the complete flea life cycle from egg to adult. Consistent application of the above recipes eliminates current infestations and prevents future outbreaks without reliance on synthetic chemicals.