Fleas are a nightmare for pet owners. These tiny pests can cause endless itching and discomfort for your beloved dogs. If you suspect your furry friend has fleas, you’re probably searching for anything that might help get rid of them. You may have heard that lemon juice can kill fleas. But how true is that? Let’s dive in!
The Truth About Lemon Juice and Fleas
While lemon juice won’t kill fleas, it can be a useful deterrent. Fleas have a tough outer shell that can withstand acidic substances like lemon juice. However, the acidity can repel them to some extent.
Many cats and dogs dislike the smell of lemon. So, while you might repel fleas with your lemon juice solution, you might also be repelling your pets!
How to Make a Lemon Juice Flea Repellent Spray
If you want to try using lemon juice as a flea repellent, here’s a simple recipe:
Ingredients
- 4 slices of lemon
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 6 cups of water
Instructions
- Heat the water until it boils.
- Add the salt and fresh lemons.
- Boil everything for another two minutes.
- Remove the container from the heat.
- Allow the mixture to steep for 24 hours.
- Apply it to your dog’s coat after shampooing and washing them.
Since all the ingredients in this spray are natural and pet-friendly, you can apply it to your dog’s coat every day. Just avoid putting it near your dog’s eyes or any open wounds, and don’t let your dog lick or drink the mixture.
Other Natural Remedies to Keep Fleas Away
Coconut Oil
Applying coconut oil directly to your dog’s coat can repel fleas! It also has several health benefits for them.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Adding a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your pet’s water can help prevent fleas from the inside out, as long as it doesn’t deter your pet from drinking. You can also mix vinegar with water and apply it directly to your pet.
Lavender and Peppermint Oils
Lavender and peppermint are two dog-safe essential oils. Find a shampoo that uses either ingredient or mix the oils with water in a spray bottle to repel fleas.
Grapefruit, Orange, and Lemon Peels
Boil water with peels from grapefruit, orange, and lemon. Use this water for your pet’s regular baths. Alternatively, soak the peels in boiling water overnight, pour into a spray bottle, and mist it onto your dog.
Salt
Dilute salt with water to clean flea bite marks. Use a clean cotton ball soaked in saltwater to dab over the affected area. Rinse the diluted saltwater multiple times a day to keep your pet’s wounds clean and promote quick healing.
Signs Your Pet Has Fleas
- Frequent scratching, especially in the head and neck area
- Tiny red dots on the skin
- Skin inflammation
- Flea droppings (“flea dirt”), often resembling pepper flakes
If your pet has one or more of these problems, it’s probably time to take action.
Why You Should Use a Combination of Methods
Lemon juice can potentially repel fleas, 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.
When to Call a Professional
Home remedies and over-the-counter flea treatments can control some issues. However, expert pest control services get to the root of the problem. Pest control services for fleas use human and pet-safe applications to rid your property of these pests.