The tiny, leaping, itch-causing flea plagues pets and humans alike. According to Texas A&M University, Americans spend more than $9 million a year on flea control. While the battle rages to eliminate fleas with pesticides and chemicals, some people prefer a more organic approach. You may need to try more than one method, and use that method over several weeks to eliminate both adult fleas and stop their eggs from hatching. With persistence, you can keep your home from turning into a flea circus.
Soap and Water
Simply washing your dog or cat will drown a good number of fleas. Shampooing the carpet and upholstery will also kill fleas. Fleas will be attracted to a bowl of soapy water set on the floor overnight, with a light aimed at the bowl. In the morning you'll have a bowl full of drowned fleas.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring substance composed of the skeletons of microscopic diatoms--algae with silica cell walls. According to the University of Florida, the abrasive surface of diatomaceous earth penetrates the exoskeletons of fleas and kills them. Shake the diatomaceous earth on the carpet and other upholstered surfaces and leave it overnight before vacuuming it up. Keep pets and small children out of the room while the diatomaceous earth is on the floor, and avoid breathing in the dust as you spread the powder around. Though diatomaceous earth is considered nontoxic, the powder can irritate open wounds if it gets onto the skin, and people with asthma or allergies can react to the dust. It's available online and at many garden shops.
Pyrethrin
Pyrethrin is a natural insecticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers. It's sold as a liquid or a powder and is effective at killing fleas. However, it is a poison, so you should avoid inhaling it or getting it onto your skin, or the skin or your pet, and your pet shouldn't breathe it, either. The University of Florida recommends bathing pets after using pyrethrin on them, to prevent the animasl from licking the pyrethrin from the skin.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a naturally occurring mineral often used for cleaning. It, too, is an effective killer of fleas, but like pyrethrin, can be toxic to humans and pets if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Citrus Oil
Texas A&M University reports that the citrus oils linalool and limonene are effective at killing fleas on contact. The oils quickly evaporate and leave no residue. The oils won't kill flea eggs or newly emerging fleas, so need to be reapplied when new fleas appear. Some cats are sensitive to citrus oils, so use cautiously around cats.
