Fleas can affect any dog, any home, and any pet owner. A stubborn pest, they can invade your pet and every area of your home at any time, and in the right conditions they can thrive. Once you see the first one crawling or jumping on your dog, just know that will soon be hundreds more making your home, their home. Fleas in particular are typically known to be difficult to kill and get rid of.

Signs and symptoms of fleas in your pet may include non-stop itching, red and swollen skin, hives, hair loss in areas where they are biting or over-grooming, dry or irritated skin, hotspots, and flea dirt. Luckily, it is possible to rid your pet and household of fleas:

1. Clean house

One of the best and easiest ways to stop the cycle of the fleas and rid them from your home is to clean. Keeping your house clean will also keep the fleas from being able to breed and continue with this brutal cycle. Vacuuming daily will help to trap the fleas and their eggs inside the vacuum. Once you are done, be sure to empty the vacuum bag or clean your vacuum completely if you use a bagless vacuum.

2. DIY flea bath or flea dip

Using a DIY flea bath or dip can help you get rid of fleas. It is also completely natural and won’t harm your dog. The first time you soak them, the adult fleas will be killed, as well as any larvae or eggs. Doing regular baths and dips will help disrupt the flea life cycle. Below is an easy recipe to use with ingredients you likely have on hand. Repeat this bath every week to 10 days to rid your dog of the fleas. Repeat every 2 weeks to prevent fleas from reoccurring. A good flea bath recipe includes:

• ½ cup of lemon, freshly squeezed
• 1 ½ cups of water, warm
• ¼ cup of pet shampoo
• Empty bottle or jar

Combine all ingredients into the bottle or jar, shake well to mix and apply it to your dog. Rub in and allow to sit on your dog for 3-5 minutes. Rinse well.

3. DIY flea collar

Flea collars are usually a pet owner’s first go to when it comes to preventing fleas. Many collars contain chemicals and ingredients you may not want on your dog. You can make a natural flea collar with just lavender oil and water. Here’s how:

• Drop 3-5 drops of lavender into a small bowl of warm water.
• Take your dog’s collar and put the mixture on both sides of the collar.
• Be careful to only wet the collar, not soak it. Rub mixture in so you can be sure each side is covered.
• Put the collar back on your dog and you are done.
• Repeat the process once a week to prevent fleas.

With these three tips, you will be rid of the fleas in no time and your pup will be back to their happy, healthy selves very soon!