Here are some plant species that repel fleas effectively.

When flea infestations happen, there’s a greater chance that such problems will be introduced through pets into homes. Now, these pests can be challenging to get rid of and there are several effective strategies to adopt in treating the problem.

One of the ways includes the use of natural means. This is what we’ll be focusing on; the use of natural methods for flea control.

Specifically, we’ll be discussing plants that repel fleas.

The natural method of repelling fleas is considered the best because it poses no harm to the environment or the user.

How Do Fleas Infest Your Home?

A better understanding of flea control using plants relies on being knowledgeable about how such infestations came about.

Now, fleas are picked up from the outdoors by humans and pets alike. These may be lying in wait on grasses or dust for possible hosts.

When pets play outside, these fleas hop onto their bodies, thus finding their ways indoors; understanding this behavior, you’ll need to act fast to contain the problem.

When using flea repellent plants, they’ll be grown both outside the home in addition to potting the same and taking them indoors.

6 Plant Species That Keep Fleas Away

If your location is prone to flea infestations, adopting natural flea control measures will serve you best.

This is because these flea repellent plants not only solve existing flea infestations but also help with prevention. Plus, your home is kept safe for as long as these plants remain.

The great news is that several plants have flea repellent properties.

For want of time and space, we’ll be focusing on a few of them. These include Catnip, Chamomile, Citronella, Chrysanthemums, Fleabane Daisy, Eucalyptus, Fleawort, and Lavender.

Additional Plants include Wormwood, Tansy Ragwort, Sweet Bay, Sage, Rue, Rosemary, Mint, Marigolds, and Lemongrass.

For details on how these plants work, how to use them, and side effects (if any), join us as we further expand on these plants below;

  1. Catnip

Catnip plants possess flea repellent properties that have successfully worked in repelling fleas from off pets especially cats. Cats love these plants and ingest them too. The essential oil contained in Catnip gives it its flea-repellent property.

This perennial plant releases a scent that fleas dislike. This plant will grow in most soil conditions and requires adequate sunlight to flourish.

  • How Catnip Plants work for Flea Control

To repel fleas effectively with catnip, you’ll need to know how it works. As earlier mentioned, catnip plants release a scent that fleas hate.

A recent study by the American Chemical Society found out that this plant is 10 times more effective than DEET which is a strong chemical added to insect repellents.

This places catnip among plants having the most potent effect on fleas which is great.

Having provided information on the workings of catnip plants in flea control, we’ll now provide information on how to use it;

  • Hot to Use Catnip Plants for Flea Control

Using catnip plants for flea control isn’t new as it has provided homeowners a natural remedy for flea problems. To effectively use catnip plants, you’ll need to target likely areas with the most flea activity or presence.

Common places include entrances, around your home’s foundation, window areas as well as wherever your pets frequent. These plants should be grown in such locations.

Potted catnip plants can be taken indoors to drive out fleas from within your surroundings.

  • Side Effects

The use of catnip plants for flea control may have side effects on some users. This will mostly be in the form of allergic reactions.

It’s best to stop using this plant whenever you notice a negative response such as rash, itchy or swollen skin due to its use.

  1. Chamomile

Asides from its nutritional value and is used in a variety of ways for consumption, chamomile plants also serve as effective flea repellents. Its beautiful yellow and white flowers add beauty to the surroundings of your home as well.

What more? This plant also possesses medicinal properties.

  • How Chamomile Repels Fleas

This plant gives off a fragrance that, though pleasing to humans is hated by fleas. This gives it its repellent characteristics and can be used successfully to ward off fleas from around your surroundings.

All you need to do is have them planted at strategic flea-infested points.

  • How to Use Chamomile for Flea Control

The workings of this plant as an effective repellent depend on how well they are used.

In other words, you’ll need to know just where to grow them. The best places to grow chamomile plants include around your windows, areas most frequented by pets, entrances, as well as around your home’s foundation.

  • Side Effects

When using chamomile or other plants for flea control, you’ll need to apply caution to avoid it. Allergic reactions are possible with certain users.

For such users, we strongly advise that you discontinue its use and seek alternative options as made available in this article.

  1. Citronella

Citronella plants give off a citrus scent that fleas find irritating. This leads them to keep their distance from areas where these plants are found. A good thing about having citronella around is that its fragrance is quite pleasing.

  • How it Works

Flowers produced by citronella plants contain a natural chemical compound known as pyrethrum. This is known to effectively repel fleas and a variety of pests.

Apart from its flowers, citronella leaves are waxy and irritating to fleas and other pests.

  • How to Use Citronella for Flea Control

The most effective way of repelling fleas from your home using this plant is by planting them around your yard (most especially areas with the most infestation.

So, where exactly should these grow? It’s easy! Remember, fleas lie in wait for potential hosts.

As such, you’ll need to target likely areas where these pests are to keep them at bay. Such points include areas most visited by your pets, entryways, window areas, and foundations.

  • Side Effects

Whenever plants are used for pest control, the tendency for side effects to develop is present.

However, the good news is that such a situation isn’t frequent or too common. These are usually irritations arising from allergies. It’s best to seek medical advice and attention when this happens.

  1. Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are plants with multiple uses including flea control and ornamental plants.

When grown around your home, it enhances its beauty or appeal by the colorful flowers it sprouts in addition to keeping the pest population in check.

  • How Chrysanthemums Work

Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrin; a chemical compound that attacks the nervous system of fleas and other insects.

This disables their ability to feed which renders them ineffective. Fleas also hate the scent given off by this plant; thus serving as a deterrent to keep them at bay.

  • How to Use Chrysanthemums

Growing chrysanthemums around your home goes a long way to prevent flea encroachment. Now, fleas are known to congregate at strategic points which allow them to hitch a ride easily on their nearest host.

Therefore, you’ll need to grow chrysanthemums around windows, foundations, entryways, and places your pets love to hang out.

  • Side Effects

There’s a potential for users of this plant to experience side effects. However, such experiences aren’t so common.

When you do notice a side effect related to the use of chrysanthemums, it’s best to seek alternatives. Several have been listed in this article.

  1. Fleabane Daisy

This perennial herb also goes by the name pennyroyal. Its wide uses include medicinal and nutritional and most importantly as a flea repellent due to its relevance to our discussion.

Successful use of fleabane daisy depends on knowing its working principle and how to use it.

  • How it Works

One of the main characteristics that give this plant its repellent property is its strong aroma. Though pleasing to humans, fleas don’t find it attractive at all.

Hence, they’ll need to retreat from wherever fleabane daisy plants are present.

  • How to Use

Fleabane daisy has been proven to be effective against a wide variety of pest issues especially flea problems.

To leverage on its flea-repellent property, you’ll need to have it planted wherever fleas are found. Flea-prone locations are best treated by planting pennyroyal around such areas.

  • Side Effects

The use of fleabane daisy may result in different responses for different individuals. While most people will display no signs of negative symptoms or side effects, a few wills.

For these few, it’s best to seek alternative plants that repel fleas.

  1. Eucalyptus

One of the distinct characteristics of the Eucalyptus plant is its scent. Fleas hate this smell and would rather stay away from areas where these are planted than come close.

Eucalyptus plants are also effective against a wide variety of pests too.

  • How it Works

The minty scent given off by eucalyptus plants serves as an effective flea repellent. So also do their oils. Rubbing or crushing these plants will release their contents making them even more potent against fleas and other pests.

  • How to Use Eucalyptus

You can keep fleas at bay by having eucalyptus planted around your home’s surroundings. Not only does it help get rid of an existing flea infestation; it also serves as a preventive measure.

  • Side Effects

There’s a possibility of experiencing side effects associated with eucalyptus use. Negative side effects should signal the need for changing your strategies. In this case, you’ll need to try out any other plants listed here to combat the problem.

These are just a few of several plants that can be used as effective flea repellents. To take back control of your property, you only need to get these planted around strategic points within your yard.

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