Is your dog scratching a lot? Do they have bald patches or red skin? If so, they might have fleas.
Natural methods of killing dog fleas include essential oils, apple cider vinegar, and borax. Both essential oils and apple cider vinegar are natural flea repellents, which can diluted in water and sprayed onto their coat. Borax is a natural flea killer that can be sprinkled on your dog’s bedding or added to their bathwater.
Whatever method you choose, it is important to take steps to prevent fleas from infesting your dog in the first place. This can include regularly washing your dog’s bedding, vacuuming carpets and floors, and keeping grass trimmed around the house so that fleas cannot hide out there.
37. Topical Ointments And Medicated Sprays
Finally, topical medication is easily the most effective way to deal with fleas. It doesn’t matter whether it is a cream, ointment, or even sprays. These compounds not only kill the fleas but also offer immediate relief to irritated dog skin in cases of serious dermatological complications.
Here, you have several options but none are as reliable and effective as K9 Advantix Flea Control. This topical treatment kills the fleas in as little as half a day offering your pooch quick relief from the infestation.
- Once a month topical flea treatment for dogs
- Kills 98 to 100 percent of fleas within 12 hours
- Safe for dogs 7 weeks and older and weighing 21 55 pounds
36. Oral Flea Medication
Medication is particularly necessary when dealing with heavy infestations of fleas. Drugs administered orally often work by preventing infections and reducing inflammation as a result of the pest attacks.
Others work by actually killing the fleas. Capstar Oral Flea Treatment is worth looking into in this case. It is popular for its effectiveness as well as quick results as you will notice fleas falling off dead as fast as 30 minutes after administering.
- FAST-ACTING FLEA TREATMENT: CAPSTAR (nitenpyram) starts killing adult fleas in just 30 minutes
- TACKLE FLEA INFESTATIONS FAST: With one dose of CAPSTAR, you can watch the dead fleas fall off your pet
- TREAT REINFESTATIONS FAST: If your pet gets reinfested with fleas, simply give another dose as often as once a day
35. Use Worms That Eat The Fleas
You could also fight pests with pests as a way to control fleas in your outdoor space. This biological form of control is not only effective but also safe for the environment. All you have to do is introduce other creatures that may target the fleas.
The best option here is the Steinerma carpocapsea. They feed on the larvae and eggs that the fleas lay on the ground. The best part is that they are themselves not harmful to the plants or your doggy.
34. Cultivate Flea Repellant Plants
Another highly effective group and agents of biological warfare against fleas in your backyard are flea-repellant plants. These produce chemicals and unique scents that fleas tend to avoid.
They are also a fantastic way to spruce up your backyard while helping your pooch enjoy their outdoor time without getting attacked.
Here are a few of the most popular plants for this case:
- Catnip
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
- Chamomile
33. Pour Cedar Chips On Flea Hotspots
Cedar chips are useful in controlling several outdoor pests including fleas. They contain natural fragrances that repel pests. For the best results, sprinkle them around places where the fleas tend to gravitate to including bases of trees and hedges where there is a lot of shade and moisture.
Once there is any contact between the shavings and moisture the repelling natural oils are released and this discourages the settling of the fleas.
32. Vacuum On A Regular Basis
When it comes to getting rid of fleas indoors, vacuuming is by far your best weapon. This is one of the few techniques that help get rid of both the fleas and their eggs. Make sure to focus your efforts on spots in the house where your dog spends a lot of time.
It also helps to switch out vacuum heads for optimum access to spots like corners and under furniture where the pests may hide.
Speaking of hard-to-reach spaces, the Shark APEX DuoClean Upright Vacuum comes with a crevice tool to target such spaces. This can well be the next item on your shopping list!
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31. Machine Wash And Dry Dog Bedding
Using a washing machine to clean your dog’s bedding and clothes is another highly effective way of getting rid of fleas inside the house. The heat generated in the cleaning and drying processes helps kill most of the fleas and their eggs.
The tumbling motion also helps them drop off the fabric in case there were any survivors. You should also subject any removable furniture covers to the same cleaning routine to cover all your bases.
30. Sprinkle Baking Soda On The Carpet
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book when it comes to dealing with dog pests, especially fleas. All you have to do is sprinkle baking soda on carpets, upholstery, and any other spots inside the home where your furry little buddy likes to hang out.
This works by dehydrating flea eggs and the surfaces where they are laid. For the best results, mix the baking soda with equal parts salt for more effective dehydration. Get the Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Shaker and start sprinkling today!
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29. Put On Insect-Repellent Clothes On The Dog
This comes in particularly handy if you have other pets in the house or you want to get rid of the fleas in the home without having your dog reintroduce them. By putting on things like dog sweaters and onesies you prevent fleas from jumping on and off the dog’s body.
The Insect Shield Premium Tee is an excellent option in this case. It is comfortable and offers fantastic coverage to minimize exposure to the creatures. Treated with an odorless and potent insect-repellent technology, it can serve as a strong alternative for pooches with sensitive skin.
- Premium Tees are treated with Insect Shield, an invisible, odorless, and effective insect-repellent technology
- Offers protection against ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects
- Made of comfortable, lightweight fabric in a sporty design
28. Spray Flea Repellant On Upholstery
Spraying flea repellants on upholstery and carpeting is a great way to ensure faster results when it comes to dealing with fleas hiding indoors. They love to hide in fabrics like these because of the warmth and airiness. They also tend to lay most of their eggs on such surfaces.
Investing in a good spray like the PETARMOR Home and Carpet Spray is a wonderful way to deal with the problem as they attack the fleas at all stages of life.
- PetArmor Home and Carpet Spray continuously kills ticks, fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae for up to 7 months
- This flea and tick home spray reaches fleas hidden in carpets, rugs, drapes, baseboards, upholstered furniture, closets,...
- Flea and tick control also effectively kills bedbugs, lice, and dust mites
27. Steam Cleaning Furniture And The Carpet
While vacuuming does do a fantastic job of getting rid of adult fleas in the house it is not particularly the best method for complete eradication. This is because different stages of the pest including eggs and larvae tend to stick onto fabric fibers and are therefore not sucked up by the vacuum.
Consider investing in getting your carpets and furniture professionally cleaned. Steam cleaning specifically goes a long way towards ensuring that you get rid not only of the adults but also the eggs and larvae. Bissell ProHeat Revolution Max does this very effectively.
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26. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a type of rock sediment that is commonly used to get rid of several household pests from mites and bedbugs to silverfish. It is particularly effective when it comes to dealing with flea infestations indoors. Just sprinkle some on furniture corners, on carpeting, and in corners.
It works by dehydrating eggs and also destroying the exoskeleton of adults. It is therefore an excellent alternative for dealing with all life stages of the flea.
25. Set Up Flea Traps
Flea traps are an easy and effective way of getting rid of the critters as it is designed to bypass their leaping escape strategies. You could always make one at home by adding dish soap to a bowl of water and leaving it out where they tend to nest. Once they leap in they get coated with the stuff and drown.
You could also go with a professional flea trap which tends to be more effective. In this case, Victor 11 M231 Ultimate Flea Trap is worth looking into.
24. Declutter Spaces Frequented By The Dog
As with your outdoor space, dealing with clutter will go a long way toward ensuring that you minimize the presence of fleas in your home. It could be anything from dirty laundry and old books to unused boxes.
The fleas take advantage of the darkness and warmth to lay their eggs and hide. By getting rid of this junk the fleas will have nowhere to hide and are therefore easier to deal with.
23. Deep Clean Cracks And Crevices
Like many other household pests associated with dogs, fleas love to hide out in tight spaces. These include cracks, crevices, and dark corners. Vacuuming is a really good way to help get rid of them in this hiding spot. However, if you really want to get rid of all remnants including eggs and larvae in cocoons then you will have to deep clean. In this case, steam or hot water are the best choices for an effective job.
22. Aromatherapy
You could also employ aromatherapy techniques in your fight against the fleas that call your pooch home. This works great for small spaces like cars, dog crates, or their bedrooms. All you need to do is to invest in the right diffuser.
Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Ultrasonic Diffuser from Sierra Modern Home is awesome for use at home. It will offer you up to 12 hours of runtime releasing a continuous flea-repellent mist. You will also enjoy its wide base design which prevents the pooch from toppling it over.
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21. Commercial Flea Repellant Sprays
This is easily one of the most effective ways to deal with fleas that are on your furry best buddy. These are specially formulated to either kill or simply repel the bugs without causing any harm whatsoever to the dog itself.
Isabella’s Clearly Flea And Tick Repellant is one of the best options on the market in this case. It is organic and features a blend of fragrant essential oils that repel fleas.
20. Apple Cider Vinegar Spray
If you want a quick and effective at-home spray to deal with fleas then the apple cider vinegar spray should do the job. Like many other non-chemical sprays, this method does not necessarily kill fleas. It does, however, repel them, thereby relieving your dog of the discomfort of hosting the pests. This is because fleas do not like the smell or the taste of apple cider vinegar and will tend to stay away.
19. Herbal Concoction Sprays
Another awesome homemade solution when it comes to flea repellant sprays is herbal mixes. The principle is the same here where the sprays work by releasing fragrances that the fleas do not like. Some of the most effective herbs, in this case, include mint, rosemary, and eucalyptus.
To make these sprays, just get one or more of these and other herbs like it, boil them in water to infuse and let them cool. You can then spray the concoction onto the dog and it will offer great relief.
18. Essential Oil Sprays
These are often sold as deodorant sprays for your doggy. The best part is that they are organic and free of harsh chemicals that could aggravate complications of flea infestation including irritated skin. In this case, you have several options on the market to choose from including HONEYDEW Lavender Pet Spray. It features natural ingredients including lavender and primrose which in addition to odor control help by repelling fleas from your doggy.
17. Rub Lemon On Grooming Brushes
Proper grooming goes a long way towards ensuring that you effectively deal with a flea infestation on your dog. The very act of brushing gets rid of several of the pests and offers relief to the dog. You could rub lemon or vinegar on the grooming brush to spread the fragrance through the coat and repel the fleas.
It is also important in this case to use high-quality grooming tools in which case the Freewindo Dog Grooming Kit is one of the best options on the market.
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16. Use A Special Flea Comb
For the best results when it comes to grooming your dog to get rid of fleas, your best chance at great results is to invest in a flea comb. The Hartz Groomer’s Flea Comb is worth looking into for its combination of optimum functionality and ease of use. The double-sided combs feature fine teeth with narrow spacing. These come in handy when it comes to combing out both the fleas and their eggs.
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- Specially designed to work for cats and dogs with all coat types
- Doubles as a grooming tool to detangle mats around delicate areas
You could also use the Tick Twister Tick Remover to remove larger fleas clinging on as well as any other pests you may encounter when grooming.
- It removes the tick without squeezing it, reducing the risk of infection
- It doesn't leave the mouthparts of the tick in the skin
- It removes small and large ticks
15. Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Apple cider to the rescue one more time. This time, you can get fantastic benefits for your pooch by having them drink some of it. The effects on acidity as well as the resulting smell repel the fleas.
Apple cider vinegar is not the tastiest of drinks. In order to get your pooch to actually try it, you could mix it in with their water and maybe throw in a nice treat afterward for conditioning and motivation.
14. Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast has an indirect effect on flea control for doggies but it can be very effective. When consumed correctly and consistently, it promotes the growth of healthy and glossy hair. The smoother the fur is the harder it will be for fleas to hold on when they attack the dog.
This alone will not work but if combined with other techniques we have discussed it will make a huge difference and definitely increase the chances of success.
13. Essential Oil Flea Collar
These are ideal for a long-term release of the repelling essential oils. That way, even if your dog rubs off the initial layer or sweats it off there will be a consistent supply of the stuff to keep the little bugs at bay.
The Seresto flea and tick collar is a premade dog flea collar that contains two active ingredients, namely, Imidacloprid for controlling flea infestations, and Flumethrin for repelling and killing ticks. They both are released slowly in low concentrations, as long as it remains on the pooch’s neck.
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12. Vodka Flea Collar
You could also make your own doggy flea collar at home. All you need is a piece of cloth that can soak up the repellant and tie it around your dog’s neck. It could be a bandana, a scarf, or even an old cloth leash.
Just soak it in something pungent in which case apple cider vinegar, lemon, or even vodka are the most popular options to help ward off the little bugs.
11. Coconut Oil Massage
Coconut oil serves two purposes when it comes to dealing with fleas on dogs. The first is to repel the fleas. It does this through the presence of a compound known as lauric acid. Fleas do not like the smell or taste of this and will stay away from your dog if you rub coconut oil on them.
The oil also has soothing properties which help with recovery in case there is serious skin irritation and damage from the flea infestation.
10. Flea Powder Sachets
These are way better than many other options for one main reason. This is the fact that they tend to remain on the fur for longer offering a consistent layer of protection from the bugs. The powders are made of different stuff and work differently depending on the contents.
Some are designed to kill fleas and their eggs through dehydration or poisoning. Others repel them through their fragrances. Whatever the case, they are very effective long-acting options.
9. Use Infused Doggy Wipes
Doggy wipes allow you to give your pooch a clean without having to deal with all the drama that comes with full-on baths or showers. In addition to helping with odor control and getting rid of general grime, it could help a lot with the eradication of fleas.
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Wipes is one of the best options here. The wipes are infused with flea-repellant essential oils including peppermint and clover extracts. In addition to repelling the fleas, the dog-friendly formulation kills larvae and eggs that may be stuck on the pooch’s coat.
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8. Put Some Salt In Their Bath Water
Image from Instagram:@belovedminerals
With this technique, the aim is to dry out any eggs or fleas that didn’t manage to jump off during the bathing process. With time, the salt dehydrates them and kills them. It is important to note that this method works best with baths and may not be as effective if you are giving your pooch a shower or cleaning them with something like a water hose.
7. Neem Bath
You could also help reduce flea infestation for your beloved doggy by adding a bit of neem oil into their bathwater. This fragrant extract repels fleas that do not like the smell of the stuff.
The best part is that the scent sticks on the pooch even after the shower and continues to offer them protection from the pests for a while. You could also rub this on the dog’s coat during shower or hose washing for the same effects.
6. Lemon Water Bath
Fleas do not like the taste or the smell of lemon. Therefore, infusing the dog’s bathwater with the stuff definitely works well when it comes to getting rid of the bests.
It also has a corrosive and drying effect which helps to get rid of eggs and larvae that may be stuck on the dog’s body. Finally, the lemon water in correct proportions could offer relief to irritated skin after heavy flea infestations.
5. Rosemary Bath
Rosemary is one of the most effective herbs when it comes to dealing with fleas. Whether it is an essential oil in a diffuser or a plant keeping the fleas out of your yard, it works wonders when it comes to flea control.
You could also use it directly on the pooch to get rid of any fleas hiding there. They hate the smell of the pungent herps and will often leap off as soon as the dog is in the bathwater infused with rosemary.
4. Use High-Quality, Organic Shampoos
Sometimes, all it takes is a good shampoo to help you deal with your dog’s flea problem. The process of lathering and rinsing helps to get rid of most stages of the fleas. It also conditions the fur making it smoother and therefore more difficult for the fleas to hold onto.
When choosing the right shampoo for the job, it is important to remember that you are dealing with incredibly irritated skin. So avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals that will only make matters worse for the pooch.
3. Try Flea-Specific Shampoos
These come in handy when dealing with serious flea infestations especially when there is major skin irritation and associated infections. A fantastic example, in this case, would be the Smiling Paws Pets Antibacterial & Antifungal Shampoo.
It contains antibacterial and antifungal compounds which help to prevent skin infections as a result of flea bites or scratch marks from heavy infestations. The shampoo itself also kills the fleas and their eggs due to its specific chemical formulation.
2. Avoid Overwatering The Lawn
These bugs also tend to thrive in moist outdoor spaces. They particularly love wet earth after the lawn has been mowed. Completely not watering the grass may not be the best idea. However, keep it to a minimum with just enough for the grass to survive.
That way, the soil does not get waterlogged and ends up inviting the problematic pests that will, later on, terrorize your furry bestie.
1. Keep The Plantation Properly Trimmed
Fleas like to hide in warm and cluttered spaces even when it comes to outdoor setups. One of the best ways to get rid of them in your yard is by limiting the number of spaces they have to run around and hide in.
You can do this by keeping the plantation trimmed. It could be anything from grass and bushes to small trees and hedge fences so the fleas have no choice but to move.
Related Questions
What Kills Fleas On Dogs Instantly?
The problem with dealing with fleas is that once a flea-killing product on the dog or your household surfaces, they tend to jump away. There are therefore very few, if any, products out there that can kill the little critters instantly. Fortunately, there are several fast-acting options out there that get the job done quickly enough. These include chemical products in commercial flea sprays and powders.
Are Fleas Visible? Fleas are not technically invisible.
They are just really hard to pick out. This is mainly because of their small size and brown to red hues that allow them to blend in with most dog coats and furniture upholstery. They also tend to move around quickly by leaping great distances which can make spotting one even harder.
How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Fleas?
The most obvious sign that a dog is suffering from flea infestation is insistent scratching. The pests trigger skin irritation which in addition to causing itchiness will result in issues like skin bruising and deteriorating coat health. You may also feel the little bugs jumping around on your feet where the dog spends a lot of its time.
