Flea Facts & Remedies

Fleas are pesky and irritating. Who says that a flea circus is cute? Those little buggers take over quickly and multiply by the thousands. They will eat you and your pets alive if you don't get control. Here are some quick tips and holistic remedies for getting rid of fleas and soothing those bites.

Lifespan. Fleas live for two to three months. That's a long time for such a tiny creature.

Females. Mother fleas lay about two thousands eggs during their lifespan. They must drink blood, however, before they can lay any eggs.

Bites. They often look like a rash. Flea bites are small bumps that will turn white if you press on them. If you are allergic, watch out for a reaction that includes hives and swelling. These bites cause non-stop itching.

Scratching. Remember what mom said about not touching? It's true. Too much scratching of those flea bites can cause infection. Infection is present when you see oozing and pus.

Hydrocortisone. This over the counter cream is great for soothing the itch. Use it!

Salt and vinegar. Fleas hate salt and vinegar. These compounds are your friends, so use them. Holistic recipes and how to use them are below.

Holistic Flea Powder

Use this inside the home if you are green and don't want to use chemicals. Even if you're not green, maybe you have small children or perhaps someone has asthma or allergies. This is quick and very simple - and it won't hurt anyone but the fleas.

Take salt and sprinkle it on the carpet. Leave the salt there for twenty-four hours. Vacuum. Immediately take out the vacuum bag and discard it an outside receptacle.

Repeat as needed.

Holistic Pet Remedy

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Put the mixture into a sprayer and spray your animals. Don't get this into their eyes. Okay, your dog smells like salad but who cares if the fleas are gone?

Repeat as necessary.