The Best Natural Flea Killer for Dogs: Does It Work? (2023)

FAQs

What kills fleas on dogs instantly naturally? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar's slightly acidic pH level creates an inhospitable environment for fleas. Mix six cups of ACV with four cups of water (use a 6:4 ratio), add a pinch of salt, and spray the mixture on your dog's coat and underbelly, making sure to avoid their eyes and any wounds they may have.

Natural Solutions

Using a natural preventative is far safer and effective than conventional means. In using chemical treatments, these are designed to kill the parasite once on the host, whereas the natural prevention aims to repel fleas and ticks, so your cat or dog doesn't even become a host.

Treat your pet's flea infestation with Comfortis, the #1 recommended prescription flea-only medication. Comfortis is the FDA-approved chewable, beef-flavored tablet that kills fleas and prevents flea infestations on dogs and cats for a full month.

Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen.

You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, which is both effective in dealing with pests. Mixing essential oils like cedar or lavender can make the solution powerful. You can damp cloth with a vinegar solution on infested areas and on your pets to ensure that all fleas will be gone for good.

Salt. Much like baking soda, salt is a great natural flea home remedy when accompanied by vacuuming. Salt acts as a dehydration agent, helping to get rid of adult fleas. To treat fleas with this natural remedy take some salt (finely ground works best) and sprinkle it all over your carpets in each room.

Best Overall: Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray for Pets + Home

Wondericide Flea and Tick Spray is mild enough to be applied directly to your dog or cat's fur as well as bedding, furniture, rugs, and carpet.

His recommendations: Bravecto, NexGard and Simparica. Each of these come in chewable form and can be ordered through your vet or online through Chewy.com, which collects your pet's prescription information upon checkout.

Do fleas ever fully go away? ›

You might be asking yourself will fleas eventually go away? While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.

Not treating often enough

Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.

Hot Water. Washing linens and bedding in water that is 140 degrees or hotter will be effective to destroy most flea eggs that have made their way into fabrics and upholstery. Steam cleaning carpets after vacuuming can also help to kill remaining flea eggs.

Some essential oils make for excellent flea remedies for dogs. Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary will all naturally repel fleas. If your dog doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil into a 300ml-400ml of water and spray directly onto your dog's coat.

You can also use a flea shampoo or a fast-acting chemical treatment, such as a flea pill that kills the fleas on your dog within hours. Again, it's important to ask your dog's veterinarian for recommendations.

DIY Homemade Flea Spray for Dogs (3 Cheap, Natural Recipes)

Home Pest Control : How to Kill Fleas in 24 Hours - YouTube

Seresto is the most effective flea collar for dogs on the market, veterinarians say. It kills fleas and ticks without having to expose your dog to flea bites. One collar offers protection for 8 months and you don't need a prescription from your veterinarian.

How do I clean my house if my pets have fleas? ›

Once you have vacuumed your floors and upholstery, consider using a steamer or washing coverings in hot water. The heat will kill any additional fleas that may have been left behind. Other surfaces such as countertops and tables can also be cleaned with hot water.

If you do see fleas and they are moving slow enough to catch – success – they are busy dying!

Using the flea comb, brush against the pet's hair so that you can see your pet's skin. Start with the back and work your way down. Make sure you check your pet's toes, around the ears, armpits, tail and head as well. These are often popular places for the fleas to hide and hang out.

You can also use a flea shampoo or a fast-acting chemical treatment, such as a flea pill that kills the fleas on your dog within hours. Again, it's important to ask your dog's veterinarian for recommendations.

DIY Homemade Flea Spray for Dogs (3 Cheap, Natural Recipes)

The most effective products to kill flea eggs include insect growth regulators (IGRs). These compounds, called isoxazolines, are safe for pets. They work by mimicking a hormone that stops fleas from maturing into adults—including preventing eggs from hatching.

Thoroughly clean areas where fleas frequently breed. This includes washing bedding, rugs, and pet bedding, and thoroughly vacuuming and sweeping floors and carpeted areas and along the edges of walls. Pet treatment. Every pet in the home must be treated.

Home Pest Control : How to Kill Fleas in 24 Hours - YouTube

Apple cider vinegar can't kill fleas, but it can help to repel them. Fleas don't like the smell or taste of it, so they're likely to avoid your pet if they have it on their fur. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add it to a spray bottle.

Does vinegar get rid of fleas on dogs? ›

In short: using vinegar solution or white vinegar on your pet's fur or in their drinking water will not kill fleas. There is a chance ACV could repel fleas because they don't like the taste, but it is only a mild detergent and is not the best flea remedy. ACV should not be your first choice for natural flea treatment.

Using Vinegar

Like many pests, fleas hate the smell and taste of vinegar, so they'll do their best to avoid it. Use this information to your advantage by making a vinegar-based flea spray to use on your pet. To make your homemade flea spray, you'll need white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Hot, soapy water kills fleas, so wash your cat or dog's bed every week. And if your pets sleep in your bed or with your kids, make sure to wash everyone else's bedding, too.

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth

Once the diatomaceous earth attaches to the flea's body, it absorbs all moisture causing the flea to dry up and die. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth on your carpet is a highly effective way of killing fleas, and it's safe to use around humans and pets.

Can Dawn Kill Flea Eggs? Dawn can potentially kill flea eggs, but they won't prevent them. If your pet has any flea eggs on them, they will easily be washed off and rinsed down the drain because flea eggs are entirely smooth and don't stick to the skin or fur very well.