Fleas tend to stick to just one type of species or a group of species to feed and reproduce on. However, some may feed on a different host if they have to but will not be able to reproduce. During the summer their population can grow a lot and it makes it hard to deal with them, but there are a number of ways and at Pet Care Sunday, we’ve wrapped the ins and outs for you to grasp!

The Homemade Flea Remedies.

There are a few ways to get rid of fleas from your dogs without special pesticides.

1. Try the Flea Comb.

It is a well-known and a very effective method for dealing with fleas on a dog. You should buy a comb that gets rid of fleas in all of its stages. Although their eggs or larvae will hardly be found on the host’s body, you should be sure that even if they are, the comb will take care of them too.

Also, make sure that the dog’s hair isn’t tangled and that you will not hurt it while using the comb. This method is useful and does not harm your dog whatsoever, and can be used on a couple of dogs.

2. Use Homemade Flea Shampoo or Trust the Best Products.

There are plenty of shampoos that treat fleas on the market that you can choose from. But you can also use your pet’s regular shampoo and turn it into a flea repellent shampoo. You can do that by simply adding half a cup of lemon juice and two cups of water to a half a cup of your pet’s shampoo.

Pour in the bottle and shake well. This can be used on your dog once a week. If your dog is a large breed, increase the proportions and do not let it run outside where the fleas are. You can combine this method with the comb. However, the best and 100% sure way is to combine the treatment with any of the best dog shampoos.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar Repels Fleas.

For this, you better consult with a vet because for this repelling method your dog will need to ingest diluted apple cider vinegar. The method is to add a teaspoon of the vinegar to a quarter litre of your dog’s water so it can drink it throughout the day.

The vinegar will make your dog’s skin a bit more acidic and this will repel the fleas, and even fleas. However, you should not apply the vinegar water mixture to the dog’s skin because it will irritate it. To be sure your dog is safe, ask your vet about the amount of vinegar your dog can drink based on its size and weight.

4. Wash Your Pet’s Beddings.

Every piece of fabric that is on your dog’s bed or another piece that your dog lies on often should be washed with a strong detergent and if possible, at high temperature. Also, if the fabrics can be put in a dryer, use it at maximum heat. This guarantees the elimination of all fleas, larvae and eggs. You will be surprised how effective this is.

5. Boric Acid Powder.

It is used only on places with humidity higher than 50 percent and is not exposed to much sunlight. Keep your dog away when you are dusting the area with the boric acid powder so it won't lick it off. Do not let it near the area for a couple of days. It is the time during which the eggs should dry and become neutralized, and the larvae will suffocate. When a couple of days pass, vacuum the area thoroughly to remove the powder and the dead fleas, and other debris.

6. Make Your Pet a Collar.

For this method, you can consult your pet's vet again, if you wish to be safer. In large quantities the essential oils can be harmful to pets, so consult your vet if you are not certain about the proportions. Although, no problems should be caused. To make your pet a collar that repels fleas you need to put two drops of lavender or tea tree oil, diluted in one teaspoon water, on the collar. Sprinkle or rub it on the collar and tie it around its neck. The smell of the essential oil should keep fleas and ticks at bay.

7. Vacuum the Floor and the Pet Bed Regularly.

If your dog has fleas but there is still no infestation, you should start vacuuming regularly your house because your dog goes around the house all day and carries them with itself. Regular vacuuming can prevent the multiplying of fleas in your home and garden.

Note: Check out the best pet odor neutralizers to have at hand when stinky odors occur.

Fleas can be dangerous to puppies younger than six weeks. But treating the fleas on a six-weeks-old puppy is also dangerous. What you can do about such a situation without harming the dog is to treat the mother, if the mother is with the puppy. Then treat the bedding and the area near the bed, without leaving the puppy there. Or if there are other dogs or cats in the house, treat them first. There are some homemade flea remedies.

What you can do about the puppy itself is to bathe it in warm water and dish washing soap. Dawn dish washing soap is widely recommended for such cases. It kills the fleas and their larvae quickly.

Fill the tap or your tub with warm water and immerse the puppy so its face and ears are not underwater. Pour a drop of the soap and gently massage the puppy. Make sure to go through its entire body, the neck and under the chin. Fleas tend to hide around the head of the animal because it can hardly reach it.

Rinse the puppy and if possible, keep it a bit under the water so dead fleas can float away. Then take it out and dry with a soft towel.

After drying the puppy you can use a flea comb (as mentioned above) to remove the fleas from the puppy, even if there are some left alive. You will need a bowl of boiling water nearby to put the fleas in.

It may sound disgusting but if you have fleas in the house you will have them in your beds too. They can be carried there by your pet and if the fleas or flea eggs fall on or near your bed, and the eggs hatch, you might get a flea infestation.

Wash the Beddings Right Away!

When you realise what the problem is, quickly throw all beddings in the washing machine and run it at a high temperature with a strong detergent. When they are washed, if it's possible run them through the dryer. No flea will survive the hot cycle of the washer and the dryer. However, if the infestation has spread around the bed, then you will need help.

1. Vacuum the Area!: Vacuum the mattress and the pillows, around and under the bed, behind it, as well. If you have a rug in the bedroom, vacuum it as well. Vacuuming can eliminate fleas, their eggs and their larvae. Vacuum daily and after every time, empty the bag to ensure that the fleas are gone from the house.
2. Flea Powder!: After the cleaning of the area, you can try using flea powder to eliminate all fleas that have remained on-site. The powder is chemical-free and is safer to use on your bed. But since there are different products, make sure to read the label carefully before using it. Use the powder around and on the bed as well.
3. Flea Bombs!: This is where the toxic chemicals come in. If the infestation is huge or the property big, flea bomb can help. It can also take hours to work and you should vacate the property until it is clear to go back in. 

Homemade flea repellents:

To cleanup a carpet from fleas is not as easy as handling a pet-mess scenario! In order to get rid of the infestation for sure, one has to be persistent and follow the steps accordingly:

• Step 1: You should thoroughly vacuum the carpet, and if possible, use the nozzle attachment. Take more time at the corners, baseboards, under furniture. Also, focus on areas where your pets tend to sleep at or spend a lot of time at. Vacuum regularly for two weeks if the infestation is heavy. Vacuum all upholstered furniture as well. The base, under the furniture, remove cushions and vacuum.
• Step 2: Dispose of the cleaner bag, put it in a plastic bag and get it as far away from your house as possible. This is done to prevent any live fleas from returning to your home. If there is no bag but a canister, empty the canister in a plastic bag and again throw it away from your home.
• Step 3: Steam cleaning the carpet will also help a lot. You can do it on your own if you have a steam cleaner, rent one, or hire a professional cleaner to do it for you. The steam and high temperature should kill all remaining fleas and eggs and the cost is well justified and you can add.
• Step 4: Wash your dog or cat’s bedding. They should be washed with a strong detergent and in a sanitary cycle if possible. If you have a dryer, put them in the hottest possible setting (will also take care of stains)

"If the infestation is not eliminated after the first washing, wash them on repeat. Bugs are in fact resilient but nothing can survive a good 20 cycles in a row.” Sammy the Home Clean Expert.

1. Buy for a pet-safe insecticide to spray your carpet with. After spraying, wait for it to dry and vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum daily a few days after the treatment because the spray will kill the adult fleas and the vacuuming should help get rid of their eggs. After a few weeks, you can try the treatment again. “If the insecticide you are using is not pet-safe you need to keep your pet away from the area when it is sprayed. Some products may need you to stay away from the treated area for a few hours, but to be more sure, keep your dog away from the area for a few days. “ Anna from Pup How.
2. Another method is to use Borax or salt. Sprinkle one of the two on areas that your pet sits the most, under furniture, near doorways, baseboards, the carpet, upholstered furniture if necessary. Leave it overnight and vacuum diligently the next day. Do not let pets or children near the areas with Borax.
3. Vinegar-water mixture. Mix equal parts of both in a spray bottle and shake well before using it. You can use either apple cider vinegar or white vinegar; spray your carpet and if necessary near baseboards, doors, under furniture. The smell of vinegar should repel the fleas and it even may kill some adult fleas.
   The vinegar can be replaced with lemon juice. Cut a lemon into thin slices and add half a litre of water in a pot and bring them to a boil. Leave them overnight and the next day use the water to spray all areas mentioned above.
4. You can make a flea trap and try to gather all fleas in one place. All you need is water and few drops of dish soap, mix them in a bowl and put a nightlight over it. Block children and pets from entering the room with the trap. Leave the trap overnight and hopefully the next morning it should be filled with dead fleas. The light and warmth of the lamp should attract the fleas and they will land in the water where the soap will stop them from hooping out.

There also may be some flea traps sold in stores. If nothing seems to help, consult a 247 pest control company for tips and advice or even help to evaluate how bat your situation is. Infestations can be really hard to get rid of and professional advice is always worthy of consideration.