HELP - we've got fleas

[Beccadoula]

Are there any good, natural remedies for the flea problem? I'm very concerned about spraying in the house, but my son came in with them last night and this afternoon ALL the house has them. We've been invaded!!!

[cristeen]

Any animals?

I know salt sprinkled by the handful over carpeting and allowed to sit (overnight?) and then vacuumed up will deal with the carpets. Anything that can be machine washed should be - and vacuum the crap out of any upholstered furniture (since letting salt sit on it overnight is probably not feasible).

[jojoboy]

Salt is a good flea killer. Sprinkle it everywhere - including under as much furniture as you can and leave it. Use it on carpet and hardwood - fleas lay eggs in the crevices in a hardwood floor and along floorboards. I sprinkled our sofa too. I usually leave mine for at least 24 hours. Then vacuum up. The cheap table salt works fine. If you use that, the vacuum won't get all of it up, but I usually just vacuum until I'm satisfied. A little salt will be left in the carpet to prevent further flea issues. Then throw out the vacuum bag!!! Fleas can climb back out. Yea, they're sneaky little suckers.

Water will encourage flea eggs to hatch - so no washing the carpet, or mopping for a little while, or if you need to, mop with strong salt water. It will leave a residue, but I always preferred that to the fleas.

Good luck. Once I started using the salt trick on our dog beds and main living areas, I haven't had a problem.

[es1967]

We had them recently but luckily we have tile everywhere. Still took me a few wks. Most days I vacuumed 2x. Took up all carpets and either trashed them or washed them. Washed all bedding,slipcovers etc etc. I can't imagine having carpet. That would be really tough. I also washed my floors alot with soapy water and EO's that Fleas don't like I think its peppermint,lemongrass and Eucalyptus. We have a dog so I had to bathe him as well and use advantage which I hate using in him. I feel like I'm poisoning him.
Good luck. I did read about something called dimeacteous earth-not sure of spelling but it sounded good.

this had some good links attached for natural flea control

http://www.all-pets-info.com/fleacontrol/

[transformed]

if you have animals - comfortis is the only way to go.

[bobandjess99]

We had to break down and use the poison. Twice. We tried everything else, vacuuming constantly, washing, salt, borax, EO, ...everything anyone recommended. In then end, after our cat was killed by an allergic reaction to the Advantage, and i recoverd from the horror of seeing my cat seize and die in front of me, we bombed the entire house. twice.

[BerryMac]

Diatomaceous Earth. You sprinkle it everywhere, like the salt method. It has jagged little edges on each piece that punctures the shell of the flea (and any other exoskeleton-type insect) and the thing dies. Safe around pets and kids, just make sure you use food-grade. Good luck.