While you love your pets, you may not be too thrilled with the fleas they carry into your home. If you have discovered that you have an infestation, you may want to get rid of it but not want to use harmful chemicals. Below is a three-step natural flea treatment using household ingredients.

Step 1:  Sprinkle Salt On Your Carpet

The first step for treating your flea infestation involves sprinkling table salt on your carpets. Fill a spice or cheese shaker halfway with salt. Then, liberally sprinkle it onto your carpets. Let the salt remain for a full 24 hours to give it time to work. When the fleas come into contact with the salt, it will dry them out and kill them. When the time is up (after step 2), vacuum the salt and dead insects up. 

Step 2:  Put Out Saucers Of Water And Dish Detergent

For the best results, this step should be done right after you sprinkle your carpets with salt. Because the flea will be thirsty from the dehydrating effects of the salt, they will navigate towards the water. When they jump in, the dish detergent will coat them and make them sink.

You can use either saucers or aluminum pie pans for this portion of the treatment. Fill your container with water and add two tablespoons of dish detergent. Place them on your floors to give the fleas easy access to them.

Before you vacuum your carpets, pick up the containers and flush the water and dead fleas down the toilet. After vacuuming, go onto the third step.

Step 3:  Use A Homemade Flea Spray On Your Fabrics And Pets

This homemade flea spray will keep any new fleas out of your carpets and furniture. It is also safe to use on your pets. However, you will want to spray your pets outside so that the fleas do not jump off in your home.

You will need a plastic spray bottle, two tablespoons of lemon juice, a half a cup of warm water, a quarter cup of white distilled vinegar, and ten drops of pine essential oil. You can find the oil in pharmacies and health food stores.

Mix the ingredients together in the spray bottle. Then, spray any surface you want to treat, as well as your pets. If you are unsure if the color of a fabric will fade, test a small, hidden part for colorfastness.

Doing the above treatment regimen every three days for a month should help you get rid of your flea problem. However, if you cannot seem to get rid of them on your own, you may want to contact a pest control service, such as City Service Exterminator Co Inc. They can inspect your home and recommend the best options for killing your unwanted residents.