How to Make a Lemon Flea Spray

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 2, 2022 References Approved

Lemon is a great way to repel and kill fleas if you have trouble with them in your home. Many natural flea sprays contain a citrus extract called D-limonene, which repels and kills these biting bugs. Making your own homemade flea spray with lemon is simple, and with it you can keep these pesky little insects away from your home and family.

Ingredients

3 lemons
3 cups (711 ml) water
1 ½ cups (356 ml) vinegar

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making the Flea Spray

1
Gather your ingredients and supplies. Making a homemade lemon flea spray is easy, and you don’t need a lot of ingredients or supplies. You will need several hours, however, because the lemons have to steep in the water overnight. The only supplies you'll need are:
- Knife
- Fork
- Large pot with a lid
- Strainer
- Large bowl
- Funnel
- Large spray bottle
2
Cut and juice the lemons. Slice the lemons into disks that are one-eighth inch (3 mm) thick.^{[1]
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Research source} Place the slices into a large pot. Use a fork to mash the lemons a little so they release some of their juices.
- The active ingredient in citrus fruits that deters and kills fleas is found in the rinds, and juicing the fruit with a fork will also help to break up the rinds.
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3
Boil the lemons in water. Add the water to the pot with the lemons. Put on the lid, and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. When the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and let the lemons simmer in the water for 30 minutes.^{[2]
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4
Steep the lemons. When the lemons have simmered in the water for 30 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and set it aside. Let the lemons soak in the water overnight, or for about eight hours.^{[3]
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5
Strain out the lemons. When the lemon water has cooled and soaked overnight, remove the lemons from the water. Set a strainer over a bowl and pour the lemon water through the strainer.
- Once the lemons have been strained, you can discard them.
6
Add the vinegar before bottling. Pour the vinegar into the bowl with the lemon water and stir to combine. Place a funnel inside the neck of an open spray bottle, and pour the mixture into the bottle. Attach the spray top for easy application. Shake before each use.
- The best vinegar to use in this recipe is either distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Killing Fleas Around the House

1
Launder everything you can. Fleas, eggs, and larvae can be found all over your house, and one of the best ways to get rid of them is by washing everything. This includes linens and bedding, towels, drapes, clothes, toys, and pet beds and mats. Run them through the washing machine using hot water.
- When you dry the loads, use the highest temperature settings to ensure you kill everything.^{[4]
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2
Vacuum what you can't wash. Another effective way of removing flea eggs and larvae inside is by vacuuming. Use nozzles and attachments to get into nooks and corners. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately after vacuuming. Vacuum everything you can, including:^{[5]
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- Carpets
- Furniture
- Beds
- Floors
- Cracks between hardwood floors
- Along walls
3
Spray the furniture. After washing and vacuuming, spray your entire house with your homemade lemon flea spray. Pay particular attention to furniture, drapes, and areas where your pet spends time.
- For the first week, spray the house in the morning and in the evening.
- Once the fleas are gone, continue spraying the house every few days to deter them from coming back.^{[6]
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- Be thoughtful in deciding where and how much of the lemon flea spray to use, because components of lemon rind can can be toxic to animals if ingested. Limit or avoid spraying areas and especially items that your pet might lick or chew.
- Lemon juice is often used as a stain-removing ingredient, but it’s best to test the spray on an inconspicuous area of furniture and drapes to test for color-fastness. If the area isn't discolored by the lemon juice, spray the mixture liberally.
4
Spray outside as well. Fleas also thrive in many outdoor areas, particularly in moist and shady places like tall grass, shrubs, trees, and leaves. Spray your flea spray in areas that fleas might like, and especially near entrances to the house and where pets or people play.^{[7]
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- You can also help prevent fleas by maintaining your yard, keeping the grass short, and not having bushes and shrubs near doors and windows.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Treating Pets for Fleas

1
Comb the flea spray through your pet’s fur. For this task you'll need a flea comb, a bucket of soapy water, and your flea spray. When possible, comb your pet with the flea comb outside so that eggs and larvae don’t fall off inside.
- Spray a small patch of fur near the head and ears with the flea spray. Use the flea comb to comb through that section of fur, working in the spray and picking up fleas as you go.
- Swirl the comb around in the soapy water any time you pull off fleas in the comb.^{[8]
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- Work your way from the head to the tail, spraying and combing in small sections as you go.
- When you get to the tail, repeat the spraying and combing.
- Hose down the area when you're finished to kill any fleas that jumped away. If you combed inside, vacuum the area thoroughly.
- Repeat these steps daily until there are no fleas left.
2
Rinse your pet after applying the lemon flea spray. The ingredient in citrus that repels insects is also toxic to many animals, including dogs and cats. After you comb the flea spray through your pet’s fur every day, shampoo and rinse your pet to wash away excess lemon spray.
- Limonene can cause liver damage in animals, but it’s only found in the rind of citrus fruits. Lemon juice itself isn't toxic to your pet, but it’s best to err on the side of caution with the flea spray.^{[9]
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3
Spray and wash your animal’s bedding. When your pets get fleas, it’s important to treat them and everything they come into contact with. This includes their beds, blankets, bedding, rugs, or any other fabric where your pet spends time.
- Spray all the bedding with the lemon flea spray and hang it to dry.
- Run all the bedding through a hot cycle in the washing machine, followed by a hot cycle in the dryer. This will ensure the fleas are gone and all traces of the lemon spray are removed.
4
Clean all pet toys and bowls. Collect all your pet’s toys, dishes, and bowls. Wash the bowls and dishes in the dishwasher or in the sink with hot, soapy water. Place fabric toys in the washing machine with the bedding, and hand wash all other toys.
- Toys such as tennis balls and stuffed animals can be washed in the machine.
- Avoid using the lemon flea spray on pet toys, or anything else they might ingest.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I store homemade lemon flea spray?

Community Answer

The vinegar in the recipe will help to keep the spray stable, so you don't have to refrigerate it. Store the spray in the pantry or cupboard, or in the fridge if you prefer.
Question

How much apple cider vinegar is added to the lemon mixture?

Community Answer

3 lemons + 3 cups (711 ml) water + 1 ½ cups (356 ml) vinegar. So, for every 3 cups of water and 3 lemons, you need 1.5 cups of distilled white or apple cider vinegar.
Question

Can I use bottled lemon concentrate instead of boiling real lemons?

Crystal031305

Community Answer

Only if it's 100 percent lemon juice with nothing added. If it isn't, it won't be natural, and might harm your dog.

Warnings

Don’t use essential oils in any flea sprays that you'll be using on pets. Many essential oils are toxic to animals.

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