How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally in 6 Easy Steps

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 - 6 hrs
  • Total Time: 1 - 6 hrs
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $20 to 50

Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with itchy, scratchy fleas, especially during the hot summer. If you're dealing with a flea problem inside, this guide will help you know exactly what to do without overcomplicating things.

How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally

The Spruce / Candra Huff

To adequately address an indoor flea problem, you'll need to come prepared to investigate, do some cleaning, and maybe even hop on a ladder or enter the crawlspace. Things could get dirty, so dress accordingly.

Before You Begin

You'll need to gather some tools and supplies if you're going to have success tackling a flea problem.

The first step will be identifying where the flea issue is coming from. Start by asking yourself if fleas are a once-in-a-while issue in your house or a serious and recurring problem. Naturally, fleas come and go with the seasons—and you're likely to see them here and there if you have pets that go outside—but certain flea problems are much worse than others.

If the fleas in your home are not severe, you probably won't need to go into the attic or crawlspace, and you can skip grabbing a ladder. However, you may check the attic with a flashlight if the infestation becomes severe.

Tip

A high-quality vacuum is always beneficial for homes with pets, especially during a flea infestation. A HEPA filter is a great vacuum feature to look for. Do your research to find the best option for your needs.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 bright flashlight or headlamp (300+ lumens)
  • 1 drill
  • 1 ladder
  • 1 vacuum
  • 1 bucket or large jug

Materials

  • 1 1/4 inch mesh screen
  • 2 screws
  • 1 bottle 'Skin-So-Soft' bath oil
  • 1 bottle of flea medication (optional)

Instructions

Materials needed to make DIY flea repellent

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally

  1. Identify the Source of the Fleas

    This step could be as simple as your pet being the source. Pets often bring fleas in from outside. If your yard has a recurring wildlife issue, this could create a recurring flea issue.

    • Rodents carry fleas that could spread to your dog or cat. Remove items from along the foundation of your house, including pallets, woodpiles, dense vegetation, and areas that provide cover for rodents right up against your home's foundation.
    • Consider rodent removal methods (other than your housecat).
    Finding the source of the fleas

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  2. Screen Off Gaps and Vents

    Under your home is a crawlspace area that is especially appealing to wildlife. When hot outside, this space provides shade; when it's cold, it provides shelter and warmth. Fleas peak in summer, and popular animal hangout zones can be a haven for fleas. If your pet can access this space, they will likely pick up fleas at that spot.

    Inspect the vents and screens around your home's foundation and the roofline. These screens aren't designed to keep fleas out, but they are designed to keep wildlife out. Look for knocked-out corners and other holes or damage. These should be repaired or screened off by screwing pieces of 1/4" mesh cut down to size. When damaged, these areas can become entry points for flea-carrying wildlife like:

    • Mice
    • Rats
    • Squirrels
    • Raccoons
    • Birds

    Tip

    Avoid sealing gaps with spray foam. Most animals, including rats, can chew through spray foam easily. Screening off holes is the best way to handle it, but you could also pack smaller holes and gaps tightly with steel wool.

    Inspecting screens and entry points

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  3. Clean Pet Resting Areas

    Fleas lay their eggs on their host (your pet), but their eggs do not stick to your pet's hair. Instead, the eggs easily fall off and will pile up most where your pet spends time resting and relaxing.

    • Wash and dry your pet's bedding regularly and vacuum your pet's resting areas frequently. Often, dog houses are forgotten, but if you're working hard to get rid of fleas inside and your dog goes out and picks up more flea eggs in their doghouse, that will be a problem when it comes to your flea control efforts.
    • Flea eggs are especially prone to piling up inside the cracks of sofas. If your dog or cat is allowed on the furniture, vacuum the cushions of your couch, remove them, and then vacuum all the cracks and crevices of your sofa.
    Person vacuuming pet bed

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Tip

    If you are dealing with sand fleas or biting midges, these bugs live in hot sandy areas. If you have sand underneath your home, it could be the source of these annoying pests. Seal off these areas restricting your pets from having access to these spaces.

  4. Vacuum Thoroughly and Frequently

    It can't be said enough for flea control: vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Flea eggs can lie dormant and hidden until movement triggers eggs to hatch. The vacuum will help solve this problem, so leave no nook or cranny unvacuumed.

    • Vacuum all parts of the house. Don't just focus on pet resting areas. While pet beds should be addressed regularly, flea eggs can fall off your pet and into various places, especially between the baseboard and the floorboard.
    • Dispose of your vacuum bag when you're finished.
    Person vacuuming the house

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  5. Wash Your Pet with Bath Oil

    Bathing your pet should be a regular event if you're trying to eliminate fleas inside. While there are medicated shampoos that can be used for fleas, you could also try other products like Skin-So-Soft bath oil.

    To use Skin-So-Soft to get rid of fleas on your pet:

    1. Mix 1.5 oz of Skin-So-Soft with 1 gallon of water.
    2. Use this solution on your pet during baths.
    3. Bathe your pet frequently while you are trying to get rid of fleas.

    Certain studies showed a 31-62% reduction in fleas when animals were bathed with this solution, but the key is soaking them frequently enough that the fleas can't repopulate on your pet. This step will not work well if pet resting areas are not cleaned, and other flea sources aren't addressed.

    Mixing a pet oil bath solution

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  6. Treat Your Pet For Fleas

    Many pet owners want to avoid this step when possible, but in some instances, it's unavoidable, and flea treatment will be necessary.

    A good quality over-the-counter flea treatment can work wonders if you're comfortable treating your furry friend on your own or if there are flea treatment options your vet can provide. Talk to your vet about the best options for your pets. Treatments include:

    • Flea bath and flea comb
    • A topical application product
    • An ingestible flea prevention medication can also control ticks and worms
    Treating a pet for fleas

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

How to Remove Fleas Fast

A very effective, natural insect killer is diatomaceous earth, killing fleas within four hours. It is non-toxic to pets and humans, but it's fine dust, and like any particulate matter, it should not be inhaled. You may want to avoid being around the dust and keep your pet away, or consider wearing a respirator when using or vacuuming the powder.

It is a naturally occurring powder made from the microscopic remains of diatom algae. The shells of diatoms are made out of silica, soft to the touch for humans but razor-sharp to insects by penetrating their exoskeleton and dehydrating the insect. Never use diatomaceous earth for pool or aquarium use; it's been treated with chemicals and may be unsafe for pets and humans.

When to Call a Professional

Whether you call a professional or not, you must follow the six steps above to deal with fleas.

A pest professional can help when you cannot identify the source of your flea issue or if you're doing everything right and still can't get rid of them. Avoid companies that are too eager to sell a chemical application. While targeted chemical treatment can be necessary to get rid of severe flea problems, it's a band-aid solution if the source of the fleas isn't addressed.

Originally written by
Erin Huffstetler

Erin Huffstetler is a frugal living expert who has been writing for over 10 years about easy ways to save money at home.

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  1. Fleas. UMN Extension.

  2. Flea Control and Prevention. University of Kentucky

  3. Mallis, Arnold. Handbook of Pest Control. 1982.