Getting Rid of Fleas without Chemicals

Fleas are small parasites with exceptionally long hind legs—about 200 times their own body length—making them excellent jumpers. And for those who might think, "Oh. There're only a few of them, just leave them alone," consider this: not only can fleas procreate at an alarming rate and quickly infest a host, they can infest an entire home if left unchecked, and are carriers of disease. Fleas were the culprit behind the bubonic plague, transmitting the virus between rodents and humans, and they can also transmit tapeworm and typhus fever.

Given those facts, it's wise to eradicate fleas the first time you see one. Here are some ways to get rid of fleas without using chemicals:

• Since boric acid is extremely low in toxicity to mammals, yet highly fatal when applied to fleas, it is the favored flea control method for carpeted areas. Purchase inexpensive 20 Mule Team® Borax and sprinkle it generously into your carpets. Use a stiff broom to distribute it further into the pile, and then thoroughly vacuum.
• Steam clean your carpets to get rid of fleas. The water will drown most of them, and the heat will kill the rest, while the suction will remove the adults, larva, and eggs.
• Mix 1 part salt with 4 parts Borax and sprinkle into the carpet, allowing it to sit for a few days, and then vacuum away.
• Trap and drown fleas using soap. Place a pie plate into the center of a room and then fill it halfway with water. Add 4 drops of liquid dish detergent, place a goose-necked lamp over the plate as close to the water as possible without allowing it to fall over, and then turn off all of the lights except for that lamp. During the night, the fleas will be attracted to the light, jump into the water, and won't be able to escape the slippery soap. Dispose of the dead fleas in the morning and reset the trap until you can't see any more dead fleas.

Don't forget to remove fleas from your pets, their bedding, and all bedding in the house. Wash bedding in hot water and then dry in your dryer on the highest heat setting. Use non-toxic dog and cat flea collars and treatments.