As soon as you bring a tiny pooch or kitty home, they become an integral part of your family and their health becomes your priority. From getting them vaccinated to training them for food and toilet, every activity needs your investment. While vaccination and training are some important aspects of having a pet, it can become draining if your pet starts showing signs of flea infestation.

Fleas are small insects that live in the bedding and coats of dogs, cats, and other animals and feed on their blood. Getting rid of a flea infestation is alarmingly important as they multiply at an accelerating rate. You have to closely examine your pet and certain corners or furniture in your house to reveal the presence of fleas if there is any. As you detect the presence of fleas around your house, you can control or treat the problem using some effective home remedies.

• Remains of fossilized algae – diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is made from the remains of fossilized algae. It is available to you in fine powder that is non-toxic to humans and a great flea remedy. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth powder over areas you think have high flea activity and leave it for two days. Vacuum the house afterwards and you will notice a significant difference. Please note that you must use the food grade option of diatomaceous earth powder and wear a mask while applying it in the house. Even though the powder is harmless to humans, it is advisable to still take precautionary measures.

• Lemon spray

There are many incredible ways to use a lemon.Alemon spray can prove to be an effective home remedy for treating flea infestation. Squeeze some lemon juice, add water, and pour it in a spray bottle that you can later spray on the infected area or furniture. It is important to let the citrus solution sit overnight before you spray it around your home. You only need to dampen the areas and not soak them wet with the solution.

• Salt

If you never knew the flea-repelling properties of salt then now will be a good time. Salt is readily available and is a natural ingredient for flea removal. Take the required amount of salt—preferably finely ground—and sprinkle it onto your carpets in all the rooms. Let the salt rest on the carpets for one to two days before you vacuum the entire house clean.

• Baking soda

Apart from being a crucial ingredient in cakes, did you know baking soda can also help you get rid of fleas? Sprinkle baking soda onto your carpets and furniture and rub it on the fabric using a hard brush. You can then vacuum the carpets and other places that have baking soda on them. This will add to the efficiency of other home remedies that you are using.

• Herbal flea spray

A very easy-to-make herbal spray to get rid of fleas can be made by mixing vinegar, two liters of water, 500ml of lemon juice, and around 250ml of witch hazel in a big spray bottle. Spray this solution in and around your house but ensure you have cleaned and vacuumed the house prior to spraying.

A bowl full of dish soap mixed with warm water can do wonders for treating flea infestations. Prepare a few bowls of this mixture and place them in areas that can contain flea activities, like corners where your pets rest often. The fleas will get trapped in the mixture due to the solution’s high viscosity. As fleas are nocturnal creatures, you can expect better results at night. Once your house is well cleaned, spray the solution on carpets, furniture, pet bedding, window sills, and floors.

• Follow up with preventive measures

Getting rid of flea infestation is important for you and your pet’s health. Once you succeed in freeing your house and pets of fleas, ensure that you continue taking preventive measures that would avoid reinfestation.