How to Make a Natural Flea Remedy with Apple Cider Vinegar

Many pet owners swear by apple cider vinegar as a natural alternative to flea repellent. But what’s the right way to use it, and is it actually effective? If you’re looking for the answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a complete guide on how to use apple cider vinegar on fleas, including advice from veterinarians, dog trainers, and pest control experts. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Does apple cider vinegar kill fleas?

No, apple cider vinegar doesn’t kill fleas. However, since fleas don’t like the smell or taste, it can repel them. You can make a spray with ACV and water to prevent fleas on pets, but there are some risks to this method. The ACV may cause skin irritation or stomach problems, so make sure to check with your vet first.

Section 1 of 6:

Effectiveness of Apple Cider Vinegar for Fleas

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Apple cider vinegar doesn’t kill fleas, but it may repel them. Fleas don’t like the smell or taste of apple cider vinegar, so applying a diluted ACV and water solution may prevent fleas from making a home in your pet’s fur.^{[1]
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Research source} It’s important to note, however, that many veterinarians recommend using traditional flea repellant methods instead. “Medications are the most effective method to remove fleas and prevent them from returning,” explains veterinarian Ray Spragley, DVM.
- Safety may also be an issue. Although apple cider vinegar isn’t toxic to dogs or cats, it can sometimes cause skin irritation.
- Additionally, if your pet licks their skin and accidentally ingests the ACV solution, it may cause stomach issues like diarrhea or vomiting, especially for pets with sensitive stomachs.^{[2]
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- The bottom line? ACV could work as a natural flea repellant, and it is non-toxic. There are some risks, however, so it’s a good idea to consult your vet first. Below, we’ll go over some ways to use ACV against fleas if you and your vet decide it’s the right method for you.

Section 2 of 6:

Making & Applying an ACV Flea Spray

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Mix apple cider vinegar, castile soap, and water to make a flea spray. Putting straight vinegar directly onto your pet can irritate their skin, so you’ll need to make a diluted solution. Mix up 1 cup of ACV, 1 quart warm water, and 1 ounce of castile soap. This diluted solution is powerful enough to deal with fleas, but not so strong that you will be able to smell it.
- If you’re treating a dog, you can add 2-3 drops of lavender or cedar oil to the mixture for added flea-fighting power. The scent of the oil will help keep the fleas and ticks off and also give the solution a pleasant smell.^{[3]
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- Essential oils are NOT safe for cats, however, so don’t add them if you’re treating a cat for fleas.
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Wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing. Fleas can bite humans too, which may cause itching and inflamed skin, so it's important to protect yourself when you treat your pet.^{[4]
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Go to source} Wear rubber gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants to avoid getting bitten.
- You may want to tie your pants around the ankles to prevent fleas from biting you there.
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Apply the solution directly on your pet’s fur. Apply the ACV wash solution onto your pet, using your fingers to work it into their fur like you would regular pet shampoo. The Castile soap should lather a bit at this point, so rub the suds into their skin as well. Let the solution sit for ten minutes.
- Make sure you don't get the solution into their eyes or ears, as the ACV can cause irritation in these sensitive areas.
- Be careful not to get the solution in their mouth as well, since the ACV can cause an upset stomach if they ingest it.
- Don’t apply the solution if your pet has any broken skin from scratching.
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Comb through your pet’s fur with a flea comb. Before you rinse your pet, comb through their wet fur with a flea comb, working section by section to remove all the fleas. Each time you comb through a section of fur, dip your comb in a bowl of soapy water to get rid of the fleas on the comb, then continue on. The fleas should come off your pet's fur easily, since they are repelled by the taste of the ACV.^{[5]
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Research source} Once you finish combing your pet, rinse the wash out with warm water.
- If your pet has particularly thick fur, you may have to go over their body twice with the comb. After the first combing, rinse your pet and apply a second round of ACV treatment. Wait ten minutes, then start again.
- Make sure you use a comb designed for flea removal. Fleas are very small, so a very tight special comb is needed to remove the fleas and their eggs, explains dog trainer David Schmucker.
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Repeat the ACV treatment in a few days. Fleas have a life cycle that lasts a few weeks, so if you missed any fleas the first time around, they may lay more eggs in your home and cause a reinfestation. You'll have to keep giving your pet the ACV treatment every few days until you no longer see any signs of fleas. This will likely take 2 or more treatments over a 5-10 day period.

Section 3 of 6:

Getting Rid of Fleas in Your Home

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Clean your pet's bedding, your bedding, and rugs. Unfortunately, fleas can live for days or even weeks on fabrics, so you’ll need to clean everything your pet has come into contact with. “Use a washing machine to wash all bedding, rugs, and pet bedding, which are common areas fleas breed,” says pest management expert Luke Lewis. You should do this a few times as you’re fighting the infestation to really make sure you get all the fleas and stop the spread in its tracks.
- This prevents your pet from getting re-infected with fleas from their environment as you’re working on getting the infestation under control.
- You should also wash any throw pillows or throw blankets your pet has come into contact with, as well as any soft toys they play with.^{[6]
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Thoroughly vacuum your home. “Thoroughly vacuum floors to manually remove flea eggs, and be sure to empty the vacuum bag outdoors,” says Lewis. This is especially important if you have carpet in your home, since flea eggs can infest carpet in the same way they can infest bedding and other fabrics. A good thorough vacuuming session can help you get rid of these eggs and any live fleas that may be hiding.
- Additionally, make sure you vacuum upholstered couches and chairs, crevices in your furniture, corners of the room, and any place that your pet has been.^{[7]
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Make a natural ACV spray and apply it to household items. Once you vacuum and launder all washable materials, make a spray similar to your bathing solution to further repel fleas. Combine a gallon of ACV, 1/2 gallon of water, 16 ounces of lemon juice, and 8 ounces (230 g) of witch hazel. Fill a large spray bottle with this solution, then spray carpets, wood floors, crevices and corners, windowsills, and furniture in a thick coating of the spray.
- You may need to repeat this method for 2-7 days depending on how bad your flea infestation is.
- If you are just trying to prevent infestation, you can do this once a month.^{[8]
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- Let the spray dry before you return objects to the wet areas.
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Make a flea trap. If you don't have a really bad flea problem but want to catch any fleas that might be lurking in your home, you can try a flea trap. Position a few night lights around the room in outlets close to the floor. Fill several containers with water and a small squirt of dish soap each, then place them under the lights.^{[9]
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- Check the dish every morning for dead fleas. Throw out the fleas and fill the dish with fresh soapy water every night.
- You can use this method to check how well the natural spray is working. Once there are no more fleas in the dish, you can stop the spray treatments.

Section 4 of 6:

Preventing Future Infestations with ACV

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Spray your pet with an ACV and water solution after baths. A solution of equal parts ACV and water can help repel fleas and ticks, and it should be gentle enough to use on a regular basis. Spray your pet with the solution to completely cover their coat, then rub the solution into their fur and let it dry. The smell of the vinegar should go away once it dries.
- Make sure you avoid your pet’s face when you spray them. ACV can be drying and irritating to their ears, so you'll need to steer clear of this area.^{[10]
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- Try to spray your pet every one to two weeks, especially during seasons when your pet spends a lot of time outdoors.^{[11]
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- Cats and some dogs may not like the feeling of being sprayed. If your pet is sensitive, treat their fur by saturating a clean washcloth with the ACV solution and using the cloth to apply it gently.
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Clean your house with ACV solution. The smell of your ACV solution may also keep fleas and ticks from taking up residence in your home. Luckily, you can simply use the same one you use on your pet to clean everything from floors to countertops in your home. It's a completely safe and natural cleaning solution, and it can also kill bacteria and germs.^{[12]
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- You can spray your carpets as well to continue to help keep the fleas off.^{[13]
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- Your home will smell like vinegar until the solution dries. As soon as it dries, the smell should go away.

Section 5 of 6:

Other Treatment & Prevention Options For Fleas

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Topical medicines Products like Frontline are meant to treat active flea infestations, and they’re applied directly to your pet’s fur to kill fleas. After you use the topical medicine, you’ll still need to give your pet a bath and go through their fur with a flea comb.^{[14]
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Oral medications There are over-the-counter and prescription oral medications available for dogs and cats. Some are meant to prevent fleas, and others are treatments for active flea infestations.^{[15]
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Flea collars Collars like Seresto are a preventative measure against fleas. They contain topical treatments that actively repel fleas and ticks from attaching to your pet in the first place, and all you need to do is put them on your pet like a regular collar.^{[16]
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A bath and flea comb It's not safe to give very young puppies the same flea medication as older dogs. In these cases, “Your puppy should receive a thorough bath, then a flea comb can be used to remove fleas,” says Spragley.
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Diatomaceous earth This method isn’t a direct flea treatment for pets, but it can be a helpful method to get rid of fleas around your house (and in turn prevent them from infesting your pet). If you sprinkle it around your yard, “it essentially physically kills the fleas by cutting up their exoskeletons,” explains pest control expert Chris Parker.

EXPERT TIP

Chikezie Onyianta
Pest Control Specialist
Chikezie Onyianta is a Pest Control Specialist and the Owner of EcoFusion Pest Control, serving communities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. With over 5 years of experience, he specializes in pest control in both residential and commercial spaces. A graduate of Essex County College, Chikezie and EcoFusion assist in rodent, roach, and ant pest control as well as bed bug services.

Chikezie Onyianta
Pest Control Specialist

Keep your lawn mowed and treat it with a pesticide to eliminate fleas. They reproduce quickly, so for full control, you want something with an insect growth regulator. If they can't grow out of their life cycle and reproduce, this will help control the population.

Section 6 of 6:

When to See a Vet

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If your flea infestation is persistent, call your vet. Fleas aren’t usually a medical emergency for pets, and in many cases, you’ll be able to get the infestation under control with over the counter flea treatments. However, if you’re dealing with a persistent case of fleas, it’s best to reach out to your vet so they can prescribe medicine for your pet.^{[17]
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Research source} You should also contact your vet if you notice any symptoms that suggest your pet might also have a tapeworm or other parasitic infection in addition to the fleas. These symptoms include:
- Excessive sleepiness or lethargy
- Unexpected weight loss
- Pale gums
- Vomiting
- ½ inch (12 mm) long white segments that look like grains of rice in their stool
- Dragging their bottom on the ground to scoot across the floor^{[18]
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Can part of the solution be replaced with white vinegar if I don't have enough apple cider vinegar?

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No. Regular vinegar is not the same. Apple cider vinegar is made from natural rotting apples, which is much stronger and a more natural compound.

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Where can I find castille soap?

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In the soap isle of any grocery store. I've even seen it at the dollar store.

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How do I get rid of the smell after my dog was infested with ticks and fleas?

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Give them a bath and then you can spray them with the ACV mixture with lavender or peppermint.

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Be prepared to use chemical based repellents in case they are suggested by your vet.

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These methods are not fool proof. You should always check with your veterinarian to make sure you have the flea and tick problem with your pet under control.

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If you find that the natural method is not working, ask your vet about alternative options.

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Warnings

If you do decide to use a commercial flea treatment product, read the label carefully to make sure it’s safe for your pet. Some products are only safe for dogs (not cats), while others are only safe for older pets (not puppies or kittens).

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