A flea infestation is more than just a nuisance; it’s a serious health hazard to anyone living inside the home. Fleas are known to transmit numerous diseases, including the Bubonic Plaque. This is why it’s important for homeowners to take immediate action at the first sign of an infestation. If not properly treated, the fleas will continue to reproduce and spread, making extermination even more difficult.
Unfortunately, most of the flea treatment products available for sale are riddled with harsh pesticide chemicals. While there’s no direct evidence linking these chemicals to illness or other related health problems, several experts claim they are unsafe to use inside the home. But if you aren’t supposed to use chemical-based flea treatment products inside the home, how are you supposed to eliminate these blood-sucking parasites?
Diamataceous Earth
There are several safe and effective all-natural methods for killing fleas, one of which involves the use of Diamataceous Earth. We’ve discussed this previously on our blog, but in case this is your first time hearing about it let me explain: Diamataceous Earth (abbreviated DE) is a powder-like substance that’s comprised of the fossilized remains of algae known as diatoms. To the naked eye it looks like standard baby powder. If you were to view it under a microscope, however, you’d notice it contains crystallized shards. These shards essentially stab any fleas than walk over it, killing them almost instantly.
Baking Soda and Salt
Another all-natural flea treatment is a mixture of baking soda and salt. Pour about one cup baking soda and one cup table salt in a pitcher or medium-sized bowl. Next, sprinkle the solution throughout your home, applying extra in areas of high flea activity. After a couple of days, the flea infestation should begin to subside, at which point you can vacuum up the remaining solution.
So, how is baking soda and salt able to kill fleas? Unlike DE, it doesn’t work by stabbing them, but instead it kills fleas through dehydration. Both baking soda and salt are known to extract moisture content, which subsequently dehydrates small organisms like fleas.
Both DE and the baking soda plus salt solution are highly effective ways to kill fleas. Even though they are considered all-natural, though, you should still keep any pets you own away. If you own a dog or cat, confine them to a separate room while the DE or baking soda and salt works its magic.
Did we leave any out any other all-natural flea treatments? Let us know in the comments section below!