Fleas are a pet owner’s worst nightmare. Not only are they difficult to eliminate, but they’re pretty gross, too. If you suspect your pet may have fleas, you’re probably searching high and low for anything in the house that might get rid of them. In your research, you may have stumbled across claims that lemon juice can kill fleas, and now you’re wondering how true that is.
While lemon juice cannot kill fleas, it can be useful as a deterrent. Read on to learn more.
Can Lemon Juice Kill Fleas?
Unfortunately, lemon juice itself is not known for its flea-killing qualities. Fleas have a tough exoskeleton that allows them to withstand acidic substances like lemon juice. However, because of its acidic nature, it can work to repel fleas to some extent.
However, although lemon juice is pretty safe to use around your pets, many cats and dogs really dislike the smell. So at the same time you’re repelling fleas with your spray bottle full of lemon juice solution, you might also be repelling your pets!
Home Remedies for Dealing With Fleas
If you are looking for some more natural methods to deal with fleas in your home, especially if it’s a bit of an emergency, you can try some of the suggestions below:
1. Bathe Your Pet
Using lukewarm water and mild soap can remove fleas from your pet’s coat and skin.
If you plan on using a flea shampoo, speak with your vet first. Not all shampoos are created equal, and some can strip the oils from your pet’s fur and harm their skin.
Note: It is okay to skip this step if you know bathing your pet will cause too much stress.
2. Use a Flea Comb
Comb your pet’s fur with a flea comb. These combs are designed to trap fleas while allowing your pet’s coat to go through the bristles. If you dip the comb in a mixture of water and dish soap, it can help you catch the insects and prevent them from jumping away, but don’t use dish soap directly on your pet. If you see fleas on the comb, dunk it into hot, soapy water to kill them.
3. Disinfect Your Space
Your vacuum cleaner will be your best friend at this stage, but make sure you’re disposing of the bag as soon as you’re finished. When you’re done vacuuming, take your machine outside and empty the contents into another bag before disposing of it. Be sure to pay particular attention to dark, warm nooks and crannies, and once you’ve finished with the carpets, go ahead and do them again – often vacuuming will bring fleas and eggs to the surface, and going back over it can really help. If you have some baking soda in the cupboard, brush this into the carpets, rugs, and corners before doing a second vacuum.
4. Launder Everything
Fleas, their eggs, and larvae can be found everywhere in your home after a bad infestation. The best way to eliminate the flea in all its life stages is to launder everything – linens, bedding, towels, drapery, clothing, pet beds, etc. Use a hot water cycle in your washer and the highest dryer temperature possible to ensure the job is done.
Effective Elimination of Fleas
The above methods can be useful in a pinch, but you will likely still have a bit of a flea problem. Eggs and larvae are pretty resilient and difficult to eradicate completely using these methods, and most natural remedies that are strong enough to eradicate them in the environment will pose a risk to your pets.
If you find yourself up against a severe infestation, or the fleas just keep coming back, we recommend talking to your vet about the best ways to get rid of fleas on your pet and in your home. The most effective flea treatments are available only with a veterinary prescription. Here are some recommended flea & tick treatments for dogs as well as options formulated for cats.
Once you have good control of the problem, you may find that some of the more natural products are enough to keep the situation under control.
Final Thoughts
While you can potentially repel fleas with lemon juice, it’s not dependable for controlling or killing an infestation. If your pet has fleas, you’ll need to use a combination of methods to get rid of the ones on your pet, and remove the infestation from your home. Time is of the essence when you’re dealing with fleas, so the sooner you can kill them, the sooner you can switch to prevention mode.
Featured Image Credit: Andy M., Pixbay
