Eco-Friendly Flea Control

For many pet owners, fleas are the worst of the worst in terms of skin parasites. Unfortunately, dealing with fleas means dealing with a plethora of chemical-based sprays, dips, shampoos, powders, collars and more. This can be an issue for those who wish to avoid the use of chemicals and would like to be a little more green and eco-friendly in their attack method. Fortunately, there are several chemical-free tips and tricks for getting rid of and keeping fleas out of your home.

Start Outside: Lawn Care to Prevent Flea Infestations

Did you know that you don't need to spray any chemicals onto your yard to kill off kills? In fact, just maintaining a healthy, well-trimmed lawn can contribute significantly to preventing fleas in your house.

Regularly mowing your lawn (even if you use a gas powered mower, though I recommend the old fashioned push clipper) is important for killing off flea larvae and flea eggs. By clipping your grass short, you're helping the sun to fully penetrate the ground, resulting in warmed soil. Flea eggs and flea larvae are unable to properly develop in the heat and subsequently die off. So keeping your lawn clipped short helps to kill off any developing fleas, which in turn: keeps them off your pets.

Chemical-Free Indoor Flea Control

Just like you don't need chemicals outside, you also don't need chemicals inside to combat fleas. To start, you should (hopefully) already be in the habit of cleaning your home regularly. Vacuuming or mopping your floors (with hot water, of course) a minimum of once a week (to break the flea life cycle) is recommended. Ideally, you should already be keeping your home clean and you can use eco-friendly cleaners and bag-less vacuums, if you're feeling guilty.

Aside from regular cleaning, there's a huge no-no that many pet parents commit. Most people wash their own sheets or get clean sheets on their bed at least once a week. But, does your pet get this same treatment? Washing your pet's bedding once a week in hot water helps to kill off eggs and flea larvae and drying the bedding on high kills off adult fleas.

Once you're in the habit of keeping things clean, you can add one more item to your to-do list. At the beginning of flea season, you should steam clean your carpet. Remember, heat kills off flea eggs and flea larvae. Plus, steam cleaning your carpet means you won't have to hire a professional to clean your carpet with chemicals.

Green Pet Care: Chemical-Free Flea Products for Pets

Of course, your pets go in and out all the time and it's important to keep the fleas off them as well. Fortunately, there are herbal products that can deter fleas without the use of harsh chemicals.

Most pet stores carry herbal flea collars and flea powders, which can be applied to your pet (according to the instructions on the label) without any worry for a chemical reaction in your pet.

You can also make your own herbal flea powder by combining some basic kitchen (though you may need to go to the store for some of these) ingredients: rosemary, fennel, eucalyptus, wormwood, yellow dock and rue. You should combine one part of each product and use as many as you can, though it is it not necessary to have every ingredient on this list. Sprinkle sparingly on your pet, his bedding or on the carpet every week or every other week to kill off developing fleas.