The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Diatomaceous Earth
Posted by Doglover-gsd (Morganton, Nc Burke) on 08/17/2009
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
diatomaceous earth - is a poisonous vapor producing substance.
Borax
Posted by Amym (Boulder, Co) on 08/01/2009
★☆☆☆☆
NEY-Borax was terrible. Although it did kill the fleas, it got caught in my loop carpet and I could not get it out. I steam cleaned it 3 times, carpet raked and vacumed countless times. It dried out my skin and caused a weird reaction in my ear. I had to stay with friends because I could not stay at my apartment and eventually had to replace the entire carpet so I could sleep there again. Apparently other people have also had a terrible reaction to Borax. Borax came out, took samples but refused replace my carpet because I did not keep the box.
Amethyst
Posted by WestWind (Orlando, FL) on 07/27/2009
★★★★★
Ameythest for fleas. Yea, it really works. Buy a stone from any new age shop for about $1 and put in cat's water dish. That's it. You never need to buy a new one. I first heard of this when my cat Zeus who was all cream color took off on me for almost a week. When he came home he was covered in fleas (being cream, they really showed). A friend told me that one of his friends did just what I am suggesting and her cat never has fleas. I was skeptical, but gave it a try. I don't remember exactly how long it was but it couldn't have been too long because I never remember worrying about fleas on him again (and he was an outdoor/indoor cat in Florida where the fleas are unbearable). I now have 3 other cats, one who used to go outside and two that never do and I never have any problems with fleas. They all get exposed to fleas, however, as I have a Bassett Hound who get them occasionally and brings them in the house. Obviously this doesn't work on dogs however - have no idea why. Just must be a chemistry thing.
Economical, natural and couldn't be easier. Give it a try.
Cedarwood Oil
Posted by T=Bone (San Fran, CA USA) on 07/24/2009
The above-mentioned product, food grade aromatic Red Cedar Oil is combined with melted Quartz Rock, and comes properly and proportionally pre-mixed and needs no dilution, additions, or calculations. The company also sells spray bottles and fogger machines (or look for 2nd hand on online auction sites or local garden stores) for treatment of large indoor areas (this product apparently not good for plants or gardens). They provide suggestions as to how much is needed for covering the square-footage you wish to eradicate of fleas - I usually get a little more to have on hand for incoming fleas from the outdoors or other people's pets as well as to use as mosquito repellent for myself. It is anti-bacterial and non-toxic to humans and pets of all ages. I find the smell is great BUT pretty pungent, so your human and non-human cohabitants may not wish to be present during application or for several hours after; ventilation helps reduce the intensity allowing all to return later that same day to the now flea-free area! I am not in any way affiliated with this company but endorse their product fully.
Essential Oils
Posted by Fraizer (Venice, Fl) on 07/20/2009
★★★★★
I too have been searching for a natural remedy to rid my 2 cats of fleas. I tried the Vinegar and some home remedies, but none of them worked for me. I refuse to put any pesticides or chemicals on my pets because they are really harmful to them, and my cats have had bad reactions to them. I will not mention brand names, but I finally found success with a store bought product. Go to your pet store and look for a natural flea powder or spray containing natural oils (peppermint, cloves, etc.) that will kill fleas. They are more expensive, but are non toxic to humans and pets and WORK GREAT! My girls are no longer biting & scratching. Be sure to spray or sprinkle the powder over your entire house as well. My cats smell like TEA BAGS but are no longer FLEA BAGS!!! Please do not put poison on your pets. Find a natural remedy.
Borax
Posted by Pierre (Phuket, Thailand) on 07/11/2009
★★★★★
YEA - Hi all, I have been infected by flea and teaks, now is the raining season in Thailand where I living at the moment. I owned 3 dogs and have a see what is the Flea infection , but like this one I never see before! They was there, a millions and millions!!! I take under control this infestation using Borax, mix 4 part of Borax, 1.5 part of Salt 1.5 Soda. I cover all my garden and all place they the dogs playing. Left over night plus 24 hours. I added to the drink water ACV but not much because the dogs do not liked. Finally I prepare mix Hydrogen Peroxide, ACV, Borax and spraying the dogs.
Now I am on the second week and thats work, thats more then miracle, the dogs are more calm and can sleep over night, and not toxic for the dogs and for the human.
Hope that help, Just do it. Cheers Pierre.
Salt
Posted by Fae (Henderson, North Carolina, USA) on 07/01/2009
★★★★★
Table Salt to rid your carpets of fleas--Instantly!! It sounds goofy, but it's true!!! My rugs were infested with fleas!! But this home remedy is not only inexpensive (price of table salt), it works like a charm!!
Just use regular table salt that you buy at the grocery store, or dollar store. Buy the container that is about the size of a small coffee can.
Sprinkle it on your carpets. It should look like it snowed in your living room! Depending on the size of your room, may need to buy several containers. Be liberal with it, it won't hurt.
It's ok. You can walk on it; it won't hurt. No need to leave it on there overnight or anything like that. Just vacuum it up and poof!! No more fleas in carpets!! How cool is THAT?!!
Gotta love grandma and those old remedies!!
Garlic
Posted by Daphne (Myrtle Beach , SC) on 06/23/2009
I contacted our vet, and was told Garlic was not good for pets, so we never tried it, but I will be trying the ACV in a spray and drinking water.
Lye Soap
Posted by Helen (Cynthiana, Kentucky) on 06/03/2009
★★★★★
if you have dogs like we do use homemade lye soap and give them a bath in it every 10 to 14 days apart after the first oneand give them all natural dog treats and then after about a week if they are still scratching some rub some aloe vera on their coats and their stomach and it works thank you. Helen
Brewer's Yeast
Posted by Fran Lord (Union Point, Ga.) on 06/03/2009
Having problems with fleas on our dog. The vet said the dog was alergic to fleas. The liquid my daughter puts on his neck makes the dog sleepy. I am going to try apple cider vinegar and brewer`s yeast but what is ACV you talk about. Fran Lord
EC: ACV is short for Apple Cider Vinegar.
Dish Soap
Posted by Tammie (Hickman, KY) on 05/23/2009
★★★★★
I TRIED THE DISH SOAP AN IT WORKED. IT KILLED THE FLEAS BUT THE FLEAS WERE HARD TO GET OFF. ALL I DID WAS WET MY BABY AN PUT ALOT OF DISH SOAP ON HER AN LET IT SET FOR 10MINS. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO GET THE FLEAS OFF HER THANKS
Dish Soap
Posted by Stacy (The Woodlands, Texas) on 05/15/2009
★★★★★
We just bathed our 5.5m old puppy with a mixture of Dawn, Joy Lemon and three drops of lemon essential oil. I mixed about 1.5 tablespoons but prob only used a couple of teaspoons. The fleas were jumping off of him onto my dress as I bathed him. We dried him on a white towel that became full of dead fleas. We scanned him and all but one of the fleas we found were dead on his body. He is a very tiny chihuahua, weiner, schnauzer mix and prob doesnt even weigh 5 lbs. I doubt it took longer than 5 minutes to totally bathe him.
Dish Soap, Garlic and Lemon
Posted by Jami (Largo, Fl) on 05/15/2009
What is the mixture for the lemon juice spray. Where can I get the Neem shampoo, oil
Cedarwood Oil
Posted by Jamie (Largo, Fl) on 05/15/2009
How much and how was this used??
Black Walnut
Posted by vlccairo (Cairo, Egypt) on 05/12/2009
★★★★★
If you have access to a black walnut tree, you can get rid of fleas in the house by putting the leaves around the edges of each room. My mother was told this by a wise old country woman in Georgia many years ago and it worked for her. Much later, I came back after a long absence to a severe infestation of fleas in my apartment (also in GA). Black walnut leaves did the trick again. I left them long after they had dried up, a couple of months, and then swept them up and tossed them out. The fleas were long gone from both the cats and the apartment by this time and never came back. I've often wondered if the thick green/yellow nut cases (not the shells) would also work, as they have the same strong, staining oil as the leaves, but I've never tried it.
Borax
Posted by Pkt2313 (Collierville, Tn) on 05/03/2009
great information, i am going to try these remedies.
Brewer's Yeast
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 04/29/2009
★★★★★
I had the worst flea infestation EVER, last year. I have two Dogs, and I live in Ohio, right near the lake, so the humidity here is terrible. The infestation was so bad, my 2 year old was getting bitten all over. I didn't know what to do. I tried ACV, in their water, and It didn't really improve anything. Although, I think I was a little impatient, I read that you have to wait 6 weeks for results. Tried Garlic, the kind you get in the jar in olive oil, AND powedered. Did not workat all.
Brewers yeast seems to be working well, so far. I started in March, now it is almost May. They are a lot better now then last year at this time. I also use flea collars, because, I have to do something aggressive for these dogs, they suffered so much last year. My German Shepherd actually liked off all of her hair on her hind side, and was bald. I used Tea tree oil, about a dropperful in some Castile soap for their baths last year, but this year, I'm planning on trying Neem Oil. I'm going to try rubbing it on their fur as a repellent as well. See how that goes. Wish me luck!!
Brewer's Yeast
Posted by Kathy (Watsontown, PA) on 04/16/2009
★★★★★
I've used brewers yeast[debittered powder] for fleas successfuly.I sprinkle it on my cats food every day[like cinnamon toast].they like it & their coats are very nice too. does anyone know if "nutritional" yeast flakes work for fleas too? ? it's a little cheaper.
Rubbing Alcohol for Flea Infestations
Posted by Michelle (Milford, OH) on 03/24/2009
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
A word of Warning: Rubbing Alcohol can discolor certain wood stains and some paint. We used it and it left streaks on our woodstained doors and walls. Test it out on a small area before you spray the whole floor!
Coconut Oil
Posted by John (Orlando, Florida) on 03/19/2009
★★★★★
Flea removal remedy: Our indoor Yorkie got several fleas in her fur and they moved so fast that when we tried to catch and kill them they would scurry or hop away. Finally in desperation I rubbed some coconut oil in her fur and the oil literally reduced the fleas to slow motion where we could easily pick them out and kill them. We found that the oil would cause them to stick to the teeth of a very fine comb making them easier to immobilize and kill. I have only used coconut oil so far but feel reasonably sure that almost any cream would work as well.
Cedar Chips, Dish Soap
Posted by Jerry (Chillicothe, Illinois/usa) on 03/13/2009
★★★★★
I have had dogs as pets for more than 50 years and they are inside pets, but are let out to a fenced area constantly during all year and I have found that at spring before the first mowing. I will go to Walmart and get 2 large 0.5 cubic ft bags of cedar chips or bedding and sprinkle it throughout the areas where the dogs will be. I do this before the first mowing and after I mow the yard it will scatter the chips even better and finer.
I never have fleas and to check occasionly, I will fill small bowls with water and a few drops of dishsoap , place them under a wall outlet with a nightlight on overnite and in the morning if there were any fleas in the house, they will be dead and in the bowls. I always do this ritual every year faithfully and never have a flea problem in my yard.
Dish Soap
Posted by Brenda (Columbus, Ms) on 01/27/2009
★★★★★
I was told about JOY dish soap for fleas. I have used it several times on my dogs and it worked great. During bath time, I found dead fleas in the water. I haven't noticed any drying of the skin. I only used it 2 times for one week. You can also use lavender oil to keep fleas off your pets and their bedding. Just rub a cotton ball with lavender oil down their back. This works for me and it smells nice too.
Dish Soap
Posted by KENDRA (Anjung-ri, South Korea) on 01/26/2009
★★★★★
my husband just recently rescued a stray dog from a vet. the dog is about two months old and has been living with us for a week now. i just recently noticed black specs all over the dog in its fur. so i kept searching and i found a flea... i read to use ___ dish soap so i did. i only found two dead fleas and that one that was alive, so it worked.... but i have hard wood floors so i swept and mopped with water, pinesol, and dawn dish soap... i also washed all the bedding in the house. we couldn't find any dead fleas or alive ones on the floor. do you think we could possibly have a flea problem on our hands... what should we do??? should we use frontline on our puppy and our other dog who doesn't have fleas??? also is there some type of lotion i can put on the dogs skin because it seemed to dry his skin out??? thank you so much for your time!!!
Dish Soap
Posted by Mary (Birmingham, AL) on 01/26/2009
Do natural dish soaps work as well, or is it something specific to Dawn dish soap? I use seventh generation dish soap and my kitty has fleas. thanks!
Salt
Posted by T (Maryland, USA) on 01/11/2009
Try diatomaceous earth, which can be found at the big name home improvement stores in the lawn and garden section.
Also, when you vacuum, if using a bag be sure to seal and dispose of it EVERY time you vacuum. Bagless vacs can have the canisters thoroughly washed in hot soapy water - wash the filters too, every time. Fleas/eggs stuck in there will perpetuate the problem if you don't.
