8 Natural Flea Remedies for Your Pets and Home

“Flea eggs hide in carpet fibers,” says Dr. Nichole Aldrich, veterinarian and Learning and Development manager at Lovet Pet Health Care in Surprise, Arizona. She says it’s important to vacuum often and thoroughly—along baseboards, under and behind furniture, and in all those tucked-away corners where eggs or larvae might be hiding. After all, one female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day!  

After vacuuming, empty the vacuum bag or canister right afterward—trust us, you don’t want any fleas crawling back out. Steam cleaning carpets and furniture in addition to vacuuming can help tackle any stubborn eggs, larvae, or fleas still sticking around. 

Wash your pet’s bedding in hot, soapy water. While you’re at it, wash your bedding too.  

Keeping a well-maintained lawn is a natural way to help keep fleas out of your home. Tall grasses, overwatered areas, and organic debris like leaves and brush can create breeding grounds for fleas and ticks, Dr. Aldrich says.   

According to David Price, associate certified entomologist and director of technical services at Mosquito Joe, fleas can survive outdoors year-round in the southern and western United States.  

In other regions, flea season typically runs from early spring through fall, though our warming climate is extending that window. When fleas are in your lawn, it’s easy for them to hitch a ride indoors on you or your pets.  

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from crushed fossilized algae. When insects come into contact with it and the powder sticks to them, absorbing oils and fats. This causes pests to dry out and die.  

While diatomaceous earth can be a natural alternative to chemical pesticides, it shouldn’t be applied directly to pets because it can dry out their skin, irritate their eyes, or be harmful if inhaled.  

Double down on your yard maintenance by sprinkling diatomaceous earth in areas where fleas might live, like the shaded area under your deck.  

Follow up with Wondercide Natural Flea, Tick & Mosquito Yard & Garden Spray. This non-toxic, pet-safe spray uses essential oils to help repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes without harming your plants or pets.  

Indoors, you can also lightly sprinkle diatomaceous earth, but be mindful not to use it where your pet can breathe it in. 

While natural cleaning products alone won’t eliminate a flea infestation, they can help by removing flea eggs, larvae, pet dander, and organic debris, says Jason Napolski, CEO and president of A-Tex Pest Management in Austin, Texas. 

But here’s the catch: natural doesn’t always mean safe or effective. “There’s no standardized definition of ‘natural’ enforced by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency or the Federal Food and Drug Administration when it comes to household cleaning products,” Napolski explains.  

That means it’s up to you to read labels carefully: 

• Look for third-party certifications or products explicitly labeled as pet-safe 
• Avoid essential oils like tea tree, clove, citrus, and eucalyptus 
• Steer clear of phenols (common in pine cleaners), ammonia, chlorine, and formaldehyde 

“Prescription flea preventatives are the safest and most effective option,” says Dr. Dixon, who recommends trusted formulations such as Credelio, Simparica (for dogs), NexGard, and Bravecto. For an over-the-counter option, he recommends Frontline. That said, if your pet is too young for flea medications or you want to bridge the gap until you can see your vet, some natural remedies may help.  

If your pet meets the minimum age requirements (typically 12 weeks for puppies and kittens), you can bathe them with a gentle shampoo, like Advantage Flea & Tick Treatment Shampoo for dogs and for cats, ​​which kills adult fleas. 

If your pet is too young for flea medication or you need a quick way to provide some relief while waiting to see your vet, bathing with Dawn dish soap can help. “Bathing your pet in Dawn dish soap can provide a quick and safe way to kill fleas,” says Dr. Dixon. “However, this should not be used as a long-term control strategy—just as a bridge until you can see your vet for effective prevention.”​​​​​​​ 

Fleas make pets itch—a lot. Pets may start chewing at their skin or scratching so excessively that they break the skin, leading to redness and irritation.  

Often, pets with flea allergy dermatitis also need treatment for secondary skin infections, says Dr. Kelli Spiker, another veterinarian at Lovet Pet Health Care.  

After your pet has had their bath, help soothe irritated skin and reduce itching by applying a natural anti-itch remedy such as Wondercide Skin Tonic Itch + Allergy Relief Spray. 

Not sure if your pet has fleas? A flea comb—a fine-toothed grooming tool—can help you find out. Flea combs let you easily catch adult fleas, flea dirt (flea feces), and eggs in your pet’s coat, Dr. Aldrich says. They’re especially helpful for kittens and puppies who are too young for routine flea medications. 

Look for a comb like the Frisco Flea Comb, which features extra-fine, closely spaced teeth designed to trap even tiny flea eggs and dirt as you groom. “Flea combs can be used as often as daily or every other day when monitoring an active infestation, or weekly as part of routine grooming or during warmer months,” Dr. Aldrich explains.  

If you do catch fleas with the comb, drop them into isopropyl alcohol to kill them immediately. Be sure to let your veterinarian know right away. They can help you choose the right treatment plan to safely kill the fleas and prevent them from coming back. 

“Certain essential oils can be toxic to animals, particularly cats,” cautions Dr. Aldrich. Whether applied externally or internally, essential oils can pose serious health risks.  

While some claim certain oils are a natural remedy to kill fleas, there’s little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. Worse yet, using them incorrectly could put your pet at risk. 

If you’re set on trying an essential oil to repel and kill fleas, don’t mix your own. Only use a commercially formulated product from a trusted brand as directed, such as Wondercide Natural Flea, Tick & Mosquito, and always consult your veterinarian first.

Flea dips are liquid parasiticide treatments that are sponged or poured over a cat and left to dry. They were originally used on livestock and later adopted for cats and dogs.  

But today, flea dips are no longer considered safe or recommended for pets. Flea dips can be toxic, don’t provide lasting protection, and can be very stressful for pets, Dr. Aldrich says.  

Fleas aren’t just a nuisance—they can carry diseases and transmit parasites like tapeworms. In young pets, severe infestations can even be life-threatening.  

While it’s natural to want to avoid harsh chemicals, experts assure that year-round flea preventatives are safe, effective, and essential for protecting your pet.  

Q: Is there an instant homemade flea killer? 

A: There is no instant homemade flea killer that’s both safe and effective for your pet. However, if your pet is too young for flea medications or you need a temporary solution between vet visits, you can bathe them with Dawn dish soap and use a flea comb to remove fleas, flea dirt, and eggs.  

This can help kill fleas on contact during the bath but won’t provide ongoing protection, Dr. Dixon says. He recommends following up with your veterinarian for a long-term flea management plan. 

Q: What kills fleas instantly on contact? 

A: “In the clinic, when a flea comes off a patient, we typically use isopropyl alcohol to kill it immediately,” Dr. Dixon says. However, never apply alcohol directly to your pet to kill fleas. 

Q: Is there such a thing as a natural flea repellent? 

A: Some compounds and essential oils are marketed as natural flea repellents, but they’re typically not as effective or safe as veterinarian-recommended treatments.  

Prescription flea preventatives (and some over-the-counter options, like Frontline) remain the safest and most reliable way to protect your pet from fleas and other harmful parasites and disease. Always chat with your vet before trying any natural pet product.