Ticks and fleas are common parasites that can infest homes and bite pets and humans. While there are many chemical treatments to kill these pests, there are also some effective natural methods that avoid the use of harsh toxins. This article explores the most effective ways to get rid of ticks and fleas in your house using natural, chemical, and integrated pest management techniques.
Quick Answers
Some quick answers to common questions about killing ticks and fleas in the house include:
- Diatomaceous earth kills ticks and fleas by scratching their exoskeletons and causing them to dry out.
- Borax kills ticks and fleas the same way as diatomaceous earth.
- Essential oils like peppermint, clove, and cedarwood repel ticks and fleas.
- Vacuuming thoroughly can remove ticks and fleas from carpets and furniture.
- Washing pet bedding in hot, soapy water kills ticks and fleas.
- Professional pesticide sprays are effective but expose pets and humans to toxins.
- Natural tick and flea collar ingredients like citronella and lemongrass repel the pests.
- Regular grooming and bathing of pets with flea shampoo kills fleas.
- Integrated pest management uses a combination of natural remedies and targeted chemical treatments.
How Do Ticks and Fleas Get in the House?
Ticks and fleas make their way into homes when carried in by pets or humans. Dogs and cats that spend time outdoors are especially prone to picking up these pests in grassy, wooded, or bushy areas. Ticks and fleas latch onto pets and ride into the home where they can hop off and infest carpets, furniture, bedding, and other soft surfaces.
When dealing with a tick or flea infestation, it’s important to treat not just your pets, but your home itself. This includes all upholstered furniture, rugs, pet bedding, and anywhere else fleas and ticks may be hiding out and laying eggs.
Natural Ways to Kill Ticks and Fleas
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is one of the most effective natural remedies to kill ticks and fleas in your home. This powder is made from fossilized algae and has microscopic jagged edges that scratch the waxy exoskeleton of fleas and ticks. When applied as a powder to carpets, baseboards, and other infested areas, it penetrates the shell of the pests and causes them to dry out and die within 1-2 days.
Make sure to wear a face mask when applying diatomaceous earth as you don’t want to inhale the fine powder. It can then be safely left in place on carpets or brushed into upholstery fabrics. Reapply every 2-3 weeks to kill newly hatched fleas and ticks.
Borax
Like diatomaceous earth, borax kills fleas and ticks by dehydrating them when it contacts their bodies. Borax can be sprinkled onto carpets and swept in with a broom. For upholstered furniture, liberally sprinkle borax and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming up.
Use caution when applying borax if you have small children or pets, as ingesting large amounts could cause stomach aches. Avoid getting it into their eyes or mouth.
Essential Oils
Many essential oils naturally repel ticks and fleas, including peppermint, clove, citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and cedarwood. To use essential oils as part of your integrated pest management strategy:
- Add a few drops of oil to your pet’s collar so they smell unpleasant to fleas and ticks.
- Spritz essential oil diluted in water onto carpeted areas and pet bedding.
- Use an essential oil diffuser to permeate the air with flea and tick repelling scents.
Essential oils break down over time so they need to be reapplied every few days. Spot test any oils on fabrics first to ensure they don’t stain.
Flea Traps
Sticky flea traps or flea light traps can help catch and kill adult fleas in your home without using poisonous chemicals. These traps use heat, vibrations, and/or light to attract fleas. Another option is to place a flea comb near a nightlight to trap fleas that are drawn to the light.
While flea traps alone won’t eliminate an infestation, they help cut down on the number of biting adult fleas in your home.
Chemical Treatments for Fleas and Ticks
For serious tick or flea infestations, chemical pesticides and insecticides are very effective solutions. However, they do involve introducing strong toxins into your home environment.
Professional Pest Control
Hiring professional pest control experts is the most thorough way to eliminate fleas or ticks with chemical treatments. Experts have access to powerful commercial grade pesticides that are regulated by the EPA. They also have the proper equipment to spray chemicals into cracks, crevices, baseboards, and carpeting, covering every possible hiding spot of ticks and fleas.
A reputable pest control company will create a customized plan to address the scope of your infestation across your home and yard. Expect to pay $100-$500 for tick or flea treatment from a professional, depending on the size of your home.
Over the Counter Sprays
There are also several effective over-the-counter pesticide sprays and foggers available to consumers that kill on contact:
- Pyrethroids: Commonly sold pesticide sprays like Raid and Hot Shot contain pyrethrin insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers.
- Insect growth regulators: These sprays kill flea larvae but tend to be less toxic to pets.
- Foggers: Chemical foggers or “bug bombs” fill a room with pesticide vapors to kill bugs.
Use foggers or sprays with caution by following all safety directions. They should not replace properly cleaning and treating infested areas.
Flea Medicine for Pets
Treating your pets with flea medication helps kill fleas on their bodies and prevents future flea infestations. There are many effective over-the-counter spot treatments, shampoos, collars, pills, and oral treatments available.
Common active ingredients in flea products for pets include:
- Pyrethroids like permethrin
- Insect growth regulators like lufenuron
- Nerve agents like imidacloprid, selamectin, or fipronil
Always consult your vet before using any flea control products on your pet.
Natural Tick and Flea Repellents
There are also many natural ingredients that effectively repel ticks and fleas when applied topically or fed to your pets:
Citronella
The citronella plant has aromatic oils that ticks and fleas dislike. Citronella scented soaps, sprays, and collars for pets can help repel infestations.
Lemongrass
Like citronella, lemongrass essential oil repels ticks and fleas due to its strong scent. Use lemongrass in sprays, soaps, and shampoos.
Plant-Based Oils
Natural plant oils like peppermint, clove, and cedar oils have flea and tick repelling properties.
Yeast and Garlic
Feeding pets brewer’s yeast or garlic supplements adds compounds to their blood that keep ticks and fleas away.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a natural flea collar ingredient that repels fleas. However, essential oils like rosemary can be toxic to cats, so avoid use on felines.
Vacuuming and Laundering
An important step in any flea or tick removal process is thoroughly vacuuming and cleaning any environments the pests may have infested. Here are some tips for vacuuming up ticks and fleas:
- Use a vacuum with a hose and attachment tools to reach into cracks and crevices.
- Concentrate on carpets, furniture, pet beds and other soft surfaces.
- Vacuum daily until the infestation is gone.
- Seal the vacuum bag tightly and dispose of it immediately.
- Follow up with carpet cleaning using borax or diatomaceous earth.
Launder all fabric items like pet beds, pillow covers, curtains, and loose carpets in hot, soapy water to kill all stages of fleas and ticks. Dry on a high heat setting.
Grooming and Bathing Pets
Bathing your pets regularly with a flea shampoo containing natural or gentle pesticide ingredients can help kill and wash away ticks and fleas on their skin. Lather up your pet and let the shampoo sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
Also brush or comb your pet frequently with a fine-toothed flea comb. This helps remove live adult fleas and their eggs.
Integrated Pest Management for Fleas and Ticks
The best approach to a tick or flea problem combines targeted chemical treatments only when necessary along with natural prevention and removal methods. Here are some tips for an integrated pest management plan:
- Apply diatomaceous earth or borax in infested areas.
- Use flea traps and monitor for live fleas.
- Vacuum and launder frequently.
- Bathe and groom pets regularly.
- Use natural repellents like essential oils, yeast, or garlic.
- Treat pets with flea and tick medicine.
- Hire professional pest control for severe infestations.
Following these tips at home along with treatment of your yard and preventative flea and tick medicine for pets will help you kick these nuisance pests out of your house for good.
Conclusion
Ticks and fleas can be difficult to fully eliminate once they infest a home, but there are many effective methods to kill and remove them naturally and safely. Diatomaceous earth, essential oils, thorough vacuuming, washing pet bedding, and using flea medicines and shampoos on pets can all help rid your house of ticks and fleas.
For severe infestations, targeted use of regulated professional pesticides or foggers may be necessary. But an integrated approach reduces the amount of toxic chemicals needed.
Controlling ticks and fleas takes diligence and repeated thorough treatment of the home and pets. But putting in the effort provides relief from the itchy irritation caused by these pests.
