These wingless, creepy insects called fleas can give you sleepless nights! Fleas love to survive on warm vertebrates and thus your dogs, rabbits, cats and in fact, even you can be their hosts.
One reason for their overwhelming presence in your house is the fact that the eggs of fleas can get dropped anywhere inside your house. These eggs then turn into larvae and finally into fleas. What’s irritating is that flea eggs can remain dormant for over a year and that’s why sometimes when you have treated your home and felt as if it is now fleas free, they appear from nowhere! And that’s why you need to be on a regular watch and clean your home frequently once you have eliminated fleas.
Here are some effective home remedies for fleas with which you can not only kill the fleas but can also control their recurrence.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas
1. Flea Trap Remedy to Catch Fleas with Dish-washing Liquid
If you want to get rid of fleas, this seems the easiest way to catch and kill the monstrous fleas, yes a flea trap! If you give a bath to your dog with a dishwashing liquid, you’ll be able to kill the fleas on its body too. However, a flea trap will enable you to clean up your entire house of fleas.
Get this:
- Dishwashing liquid
- Dinner plates or bowls
- Tea candles
- Warm water
Do this:
- At night, place a plate or a bowl in each of your rooms, preferably in the middle of the room. Place it on the floor.
- Now fill them with warm water. If you are using a bowl, fill it partly and if using a plate, fill it to the brim.
- Now add dishwashing liquid to this water. Use a good amount of it, about a capful.
- Place one tea candle in the centre of each plate. If using the bowl, you may not be able to place the candle inside it. You can place the candle near the bowl.
- Now light the candles.
- The fleas get attracted towards the light. When they jump towards the light, they will get stuck in the high viscosity of the liquid with soap. This way, fleas will get trapped and die.
- You may dispose off the bodies in the morning.
- If your house is badly infected with fleas, you may continue to do this for 3-4 nights.
Warning: As you are using fire at night when applying this home remedy to trap fleas, you should be extra cautious. You may like to stay awake till all the candles get extinguished. Also, do not let your pets and children roam freely when you have laid a trap with soapy water and lit candles in the middle of each room.
2. Herbal Flea Spray to Get Rid of Fleas from Your House
If you have been thinking of a flea bomb loaded with chemicals to eliminate fleas from your house, you must reconsider once and give a try to this herbal spray instead. This homemade flea spray uses such ingredients as lemon juice and witch hazel. They are entirely safe for your pets and kids. Here’s the recipe for this herbal flea spray.
Get this:
- Vinegar- 1 gallon (a little less than 4 litres)
- Water- ½ gallon (a little less than 2 litres)
- Lemon juice- 16 oz. (a little less than 500 ml)
- Witch hazel- 8 oz. (a little less than 250 ml)
- Fresh vacuum bag- 1
- Home and Garden Sprayer- 1 (this sprayer should be able to hold at least 6-7 litres at a time)
Do this:
You need to do the vacuuming and then spraying with the flea spray.
- Collect everything that cannot be vacuumed and wash it at the hottest setting of your washer. This kills even the larvae and eggs of fleas.
- Now vacuum properly. Vacuum each corner, upholstery as well as services with the help of various vacuum attachments. Use the fresh vacuum bag. This ensures unrestricted air flow. Debris that collects from earlier vacuuming may hamper smooth air flow.
- Now mix vinegar, water, lemon juice and witch hazel.
- Fill this liquid mix into the garden sprayer.
- Spray using a heavy spray.
- Spray your carpets, furniture, pet bedding, window sills, floors, every nook and corner of your house.
- Do this daily for at least 2-7 days depending upon how bad is the flea infestation in your home.
- When fleas become less noticeable, you may then repeat every 3-4 days and thereafter once a week throughout the flea season.
If you start using this non-toxic spray just when the flu season is approaching, you will need to spray only once a week throughout the flea season.
3. Salt Remedy to Get Rid of Fleas
As common an ingredient as salt can get you rid of tough fleas, especially from your carpets. How does it happen? Salt becomes a dehydration agent for fleas and dries out their bodies. So, how to use this inexpensive way to control fleas? Here’s what you need to do.
Get this:
- Table salt or any of the sea salts (you will need lots of it depending on the size of an area where you need to sprinkle salt to kill fleas)
- Large spice bottle with a shaker top
Do this:
- See if your salt is finely ground or not. If not, grind it to get a fine salt powder.
- Fill up your spice bottle with this salt leaving a little room on the top so that you can shake and sprinkle the salt with it.
- Sprinkle the salt over your carpets in each room. The salt should cover the area evenly.
- Leave for 12 to 48 hours.
- After 1-2 days, vacuum thoroughly.
4. Boric Acid Remedy to Get Rid of Fleas
Boric acid, more or less, works like salt when it comes to eliminating fleas. It acts as a desiccant or a dehydrating agent which causes severe dehydration in fleas due to which they are killed. You need to sprinkle boric acid wherever you doubt there may be fleas, their larvae or eggs.
Get this:
- Boric acid
- A shaker (like one that is used for spices or Castor sugar)
You may even like to make your own shaker by taking an empty container with plastic lid. If doing so, prick the lid with a pointed needle or a similar tool to make holes in it. Place some pebbles into the container to prevent caking of boric acid when it is stored away. Now fill 2/3 of this container with boric acid and your homemade shaker filled with boric acid is ready! Don’t forget to label it in bold with ‘BORIC ACID’
Do this
- Fill the shaker with boric acid. The rule for label applies here too. Anyone can take boric acid for some look-alike kitchen ingredient. So, label it as ‘Boric acid’ before using it.
- Vacuum the carpets, upholstery etc. where you want to sprinkle boric acid and remove all the objects like bags, toys, shoes, etc from the scene.
- Sprinkle the boric acid powder in thin layers. For this, shake the container and apply a little powder on the area like on the carpet. Now take a soft brush and work the acid into the carpet pile. For upholstery, you can use hand brush and work down into the gaps. Remember, boric acid can discolour fabrics. So, test it before you apply this remedy. Don’t forget to sprinkle the furniture.
- Leave for 12-48 hours.
- Now vacuum all the areas and surfaces treated with boric acid.
- Keep on vacuuming regularly. As you have worked the acid down into the carpets and upholstery, it will continue to kill the fleas.
- After a month or so, you can wash your carpets, upholstery etc.
Precaution: Although boric acid is low in toxicity for human beings and pets too, it should be used cautiously when kids and pets are around. Keep it away from food items and also out of reach of kids. Don’t sprinkle boric acid on counter-tops, especially in the kitchen where food is prepared.
5. Use Diatomaceous Earth to Control Fleas
Now, what is this Diatomaceous Earth (DE)? It is the microscopic remains of fossilized algae, diatoms. It is a very fine powder, just like flour. Diatoms are the type of algae that can be found in freshwater as well as in saltwater. But how does this Diatomaceous Earth kill fleas?The cell walls of Diatom are made of silica which in turn is a component of glass. The exoskeleton or the hard shell of fleas or such other insects are vulnerable to the sharp edges of microscopic diatoms. The silica shards in DE cut through the hard shell of fleas and dry them out. This leads to the death of fleas as well as of their larvae. What is more important is that DE is non-toxic to human beings and animals. But the only one which belongs to food grade category and not the one used for pool filtration systems.
How to use Diatomaceous earth to get rid of fleas?
Here are the steps that you should follow to use Diatomaceous earth to kill fleas.
- Brush off all your carpets and vacuum thoroughly. Wash off everything that you can’t vacuum, with hot water in your washer.
- Now wherever you think the fleas or their larvae might hide, sprinkle the DE in thin layers. You can safely sprinkle DE on your carpets, pet beddings etc.
- Leave the Diatomaceous earth in all these places for about 12-48 hours. While fleas start dying 4-6 hours after you treat your home with DE, it’s still better to leave the thing for longer.
- Now vacuum away all the powder and remember to discard the vacuum bag.
- You may even use this Diatomaceous earth in your yard but this will need a large quantity of the powder.
Precaution: Always buy the food grade DE. While this Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic, it is still a fine powder that may get messy and irritate your eyes or throat. So, it is desirable to wear a face mask while working with any such fine talc-like powder. Don’t ever buy DE used for pool filtration systems as they are hazardous when breathed in. Diatomaceous Earth, however, is not so effective in humid environments and also when it is wet. Use it in dry form only. Try to avoid DE from coming in contact with the skin of your pets as this may dry out their skin.
6. Use Pennyroyal Herb to Repel Fleas
There are many varieties of the pennyroyal herb. European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and American pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegiodes) have been traditionally used to deter fleas. However, pennyroyal which belongs to the mint family is dangerous for human and animal health. Native Americans had been using this herb for abortion. Dogs and cats too can face fertility problems if this herb is used for them. They may even die if the pennyroyal essential oil is licked by them or its leaves are chewed by them. However, when you don’t want to kill fleas and just want to repel them, you may like to use pennyroyal. But use it with all precautions.
Ways to use pennyroyal for fleas
- Grow pennyroyal plant around your yard, especially where your dogs love to be. However, safeguard them in a way that they stay out of their reach.
- Crush a handful of fresh pennyroyal leaves in a mortar and pestle till the leaves release oil and aroma. Tie this paste of pennyroyal leaves in a cheesecloth. Be careful about not dropping any juice of the leaves. Hang this cheesecloth in your room or any other place which is badly infested by fleas. Ensure to keep it out of reach of the children and pets. Also, let your family members know about this herb and how you are using it so that they do not try to experiment with it in any way.
- Pour 1-3 drops of pennyroyal essential oil onto your dog’s collar. Tie this collar to around your dog’s neck in such a way that oil doesn’t come in contact with your pet’s skin. If you see the dog itching or any other sign of allergy, remove the collar.
- Place a small amount of dried pennyroyal herb into some tea bags. Leave these tea bags on the floor. If you have kids and pets around, keep them at a height where they cannot reach these tea bags.
- You may sew cloth tubes filled with dried pennyroyal and use them as collars for your cat.
7. Use Rosemary for Flea Control
If your house is not badly infested by fleas but yes if it’s irritating due to even a mild flea infestation, you can use the herb rosemary for controlling such flea problem in your home. You can use rosemary for flea control in several ways, as a powder, a rinse, or an oil. While dogs can be washed with rosemary water (made by boiling rosemary leaves in water), cats should not be given this treatment due to certain reactions in them. Rosemary oil can be poured (only a couple of drops) in your pet’s collar. However, because we are discussing flea control for the overall house, here’s a recipe for rosemary powder that you can use anywhere in your home.
How to make rosemary herbal flea powder at home?
Get this:
Equal parts of:
- Rosemary
- Rue
- Wormwood
- Fennel
- Peppermint
- Coffee grinder or mortar and pestle
Do this:
- Take all the herbs and grind them together using a mortar and pestle or in a coffee grinder.
- Grind them till they become the fine powder.
- Sprinkle this herbal powder on your carpet, furniture, pet’s bedding, below furniture, window sills or anywhere else where you think there may be fleas.
- This is a natural flea repellent and not a way to kill fleas.
8. Homemade Flea Spray for Flea Control
While you can get lots of flea spray in the market, they all contain chemicals that can be hazardous in a long term. You can make your own herbal flea spray with such natural ingredients as lemons, rosemary and certain essential oil. Here’s the recipe.
Get this:
- Lemons (thinly sliced)- 6
- Rosemary leaves- from a handful of sprigs
- Boiling water- 1 litre
- Geranium essential oil- 3-4 drops
- Spraying bottle- 1
Do this:
- Take a large bowl and place lemon slices in it.
- Take off the rosemary leaves from sprigs and chop them.
- Add the chopped rosemary leaves to the lemon slices in the bowl and also add boiling water and geranium oil
- Cover and leave overnight.
- In the morning, strain the water and fill it in the sprayer.
- Your homemade citrus flea spray is ready to be used.
- Spray the solution on your furniture, bedding and anywhere you want to. As it is a safe herbal solution, you can even use it for your dog’s bedding. This spray will repel the fleas.
9. Citronella Essential Oil for Flea Control in Home
Citronella oil has been used traditionally as a natural flea repellent. It is a volatile oil derived from the stem of the plant Cymbopogon nardus (Ceylon citronella) or Cymbopogon winteratus (Java type citronella) along with greenish blue lemon-scented leaves. It is a safe oil to be used not only for pets but also for human beings. Citronella oil effectively repels insects such as fleas and ticks, mosquitoes, black flies etc. You can mop your floors with a mixture of essential oils with citronella oil as one of the key ingredients. This will keep fleas away from your home.
How to use citronella essential oil for flea control?
Get this:
- Citronella oil- 20 drops
- Tea tree oil- 10 drops
- Lemongrass oil- 10 drops
- Geranium oil- 5 drops
- Warm water- 1 gallon
Do this:
- Vacuum your entire house properly and discard the vacuum bag.
- Take the warm water and mix all the essential oils with this.
- Mop the floors of your house with this water.
- For the first few days, mop every day with this scented water. Thereafter, you can do once a week to keep the fleas as well as mosquitoes away from your home.
10. Horse Apples for Flea Control
Horse apple (Maclura pomifera) belongs to the mulberry family and is commonly known as Osage orange. The other names of horse apple include hedge apple, monkey ball, bois d’arc, bodark, or bodock. Traditionally, horse apples have been used for repelling insects. You may also try this out.
Do this:
- You may take whole horse apples or cut them into halves or sections.
- Place the fruit or the pieces all around your house, in rooms, hallway, window sills and even in yards.
- Place one fruit in each room.
- This fruit lasts for about two to three months in the air-conditioned environment.
- Some say the ripe horse apple works better and others say the raw ones do well. Forgetting the best out of the fruit, use the green ones and let them be there till they dry out. They continue to be effective even when they are wholly dried out.
- These fruits not only control fleas but also other insects and rodents including field mouse, grass snake etc.
Whatever home remedies for flea control you decide to apply, it’s better to begin with the arrival of flea season or even before this season starts.
Once your home gets infested with fleas, it becomes harder to get rid of them. Preventing the fleas from developing at the first instance will help you a lot in your efforts for flea control.
Most Common Question And Answers:
Q: When is flea season?
Ans: Fleas get activated by heat and humidity. The season will start in May and goes through to winter. However September, October and November is the worst time of the year for the fleas to attack but when once the temperature is consistently below the freezing point, we will get rid of these fleas.
Q: Which dawn soap kills fleas?
Ans: Dawn dish detergent is recommended for killing the fleas why because it is safe and non-toxic for cats and dogs. Dawn contains surfactants that effectively lower the surface tension of the water and thereby the fleas will be cleared.
Dawn Simply Clean is what we recommend for washing your pets to get rid of fleas. Simply place your pet in a bath of water and apply this dawn dish soap. Lather this soap into the fur and rinse it off thoroughly with water.
Q: How do you get rid of fleas naturally?
Ans: There are many natural home remedies that help not only to kill the fleas but also to control their recurrence. For this, you can use dish soap, sprinkle baking soda or salt on the carpets and other fleas affected areas, boric acid, food grade diatomaceous earth, pennyroyal plant (acts as repelling to fleas), essential oils (like rosemary oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass or citronella), etc.
Q: What repels fleas?
Ans: There are many herbs like pennyroyal, lavender, chrysanthemums, spearmint, citronella oil, horse apples, rosemary, sage, etc. acts as fleas repelling herbs.
Q: Can fleas live in your hair?
Ans: Fleas not only considered as pet specific parasite but also infest human being. Fleas in human hair will become a big issue to deal with it but there are various natural remedies that help you to get rid of this problem.
Baking soda water, tea tree oil based shampoos and other shampoos made specifically for lice and hair mites, lemon scented dish soap, apple cider vinegar, etc. are some best remedies for clearing fleas on the human hair.
Q: What kills fleas instantly in the house?
Ans: The usage of dishwashing liquids, vinegar, salt, boric acid, rosemary, citronella and the homemade flea spray (prepared by mixing rosemary leaves, lemon slices and 3 – 4 drops of geranium oil in 1 litre of boiling water. Let steep for overnight and strain to spray on the furniture and bedding).
Other than following these remedies, you should inspect your home and pets regularly to control this flea’s infestation.
Q: Can I use Dawn dish soap to wash my dog?
Ans: Yes, you can use this soap to wash your dog. Prepare your pet for bathing and for this, run enough warm water in a tub and lather your pet with plenty of this dawn dish soap. Scrub their fur gently for several minutes to clear the fleas and other insects, which are hiding on their skin.
If you have a pet brush on hand then simply use it to get deep into their hair and to remove these fleas. Finally, rinse your pet well using warm water. Make sure that these fleas will run to the head to hide, so pour a tiny drop of detergent on their head and face. Rinse off thoroughly.
Q: Can fleas die in the washing machine?
Ans: We can control these fleas by washing the household items on a hot cycle followed by a spin in the dryer. So, wash your flea infested items and clothes in a washing machine by adding laundry detergent along with hot water.
If fortunately, any flea happens to live then it will be killed off in the dryer where the flea has to face more turbulence and heat. Other than this, you have to wash each and everything (like pet bedding, pet toys, etc.), vacuum (by focusing more on the areas like carpets, furniture and pets sleeping place) and natural insecticides.
Q: Is it safe to wash a cat with Dawn dish soap?
Ans: Yes, you can use Dawn Simply Clean to wash your cat. Pour 2 – 3 teaspoons of dawn dish soap in a bowl filled with mildly warm water. Stir well by using a spoon or fork until its bubbly. Soak a clean washcloth in this soap mixture and squeeze out the excess water.
Gently start rubbing the head down to the neck, toes, belly, back, tail and all over the body. Thicken the mixture and scrub all over. Leave it for 5 – 8 minutes and rinse your cat thoroughly. Dry it with a towel and comb their fur to clear fleas (if left any). Repeat the process for once a week regularly.
Or you can follow another method by simply brushing your pet with a flea comb and dip the fleas in the bowl of soapy water. Continue this brushing for a few times until you see no more fleas on your cat.
Q: Can salt get rid of fleas?
Ans: Salt acts as a dehydrating agent that helps to dry out the body of fleas and thereby clear them. All you need is to sprinkle some finely ground salt all over the carpets, furniture and pet bedding areas. Let the salt stay for 1 – 2 days and after that vacuum you’re home thoroughly. Make sure to empty the contents in an outside trash can.
For killing fleas on cat/dog, you have to add a drop of water to a pinch of salt and use this mix to massage on the affected area. Rinse off after a few minutes. Repeat the same in every alternate day till the infestation is cleared completely.
Q: What kind of plants keeps fleas away?
Ans: There are some specific plants that help to repel these fleas and other insects with its specific chemicals and oils. All you need is to use these plants around the home to control this flea infestation.
Some flea repelling plants are lavender, chrysanthemums, spearmint, pennyroyal, sage, etc.
Q: Are fleas attracted to light?
Ans: Yes, fleas get attracted towards a light. So, you can use this light to trap the fleas by simply placing soapy water down the light and the fleas will jump towards light then they stick in the high viscosity of the liquid with soap and die off.
Q: How fast do fleas spread?
Ans: Fleas multiply and spread quickly. A female flea can produce between 500 – 2000 eggs through the course of her lifespan (an average of 20 – 30 eggs per day) after acquiring a host. In a study, it is stated that these fleas can spread easily in 3 ways – through humans, animals and furniture.
Fleas cling to the clothes and shoes of human beings and make their way to enter the home and get multiplied. Animals also play an important role, as the flea eggs attached to the fur and feathers of the pets. Even furniture will spread these insects, as the fleas hide in subtle place in the house and get transferred through furniture.
Also, remember that you won’t be carrying adult fleas but you do carry its eggs, larvae and pupas which develop into fleas and cause an infestation.
Q: How can garlic help get rid of fleas?
Ans: Fleas and many insects won’t like the flavour of garlic. So, most people think that mixing garlic and yeast with the pet’s food will render their blood unpalatable to fleas. But there are some risks associated with garlic. The intake of garlic (or food from its family) will affect cats and some breeds of dogs and it is not recommended to feed the concentrated amounts of garlic to your pets.
Garlic, in small quantities like a clove of raw garlic, will cause some severe toxicity to your pets. It causes damage to feline red blood cells and thereby results in hemolytic anaemia and finally leads to death. But you can use to kill fleas on the furniture and carpets by simply preparing a spray solution. Stir 2 bulbs of peeled and minced garlic in 1 quart of boiling water and leave for overnight. Strain it to use as a spray solution on the fleas infested areas.
Q: How long do fleas live?
Ans: Fleas can live for about 2 – 3 months but if the flea didn’t find a host then it will obviously die sooner. If they feed on the host then it gets multiplied. They increase in number when there is a suitable environment to thrive and getting a good source of blood and lot of moisture.
Q: Do flea eggs die in the dryer?
Ans: Yes, washing the clothes, bedding and other flea-infested clothes is the effective way to clear the fleas in any of the four life stages. The heat and turbulence in a dryer (hottest setting) will may the flea eggs die in the dryer.
Q: Can fleas drown in water?
Ans: There are many types of insects that survive when immersed under water and fleas will come under this category. The secret behind this is they sit on the surface of water without breaking the surface tension. But flea can easily die in water when you add some dish soap to the water which makes them sink and drown. Also, washing the flea infested items in clothes washing machine along with laundry detergent and heat and turbulence of the wash cycle will clear the fleas effectively.
Q: How long does it take for a flea to die without a host?
Ans: When talking about the relation of fleas (its life stages) and host, the adult fleas survive up to 2 weeks without a fresh blood meal but they need to feed on the fresh blood of the host in order to survive. Whereas the other life stages of flea do not need a host to live. Flea eggs can survive in the fibres of the carpets or inner recesses of the couch.
Flea larvae can feed on the various types of organic matter (half digested blood particles that discarded by adult fleas) and flea pupae can survive for months in a dormant state before maturing into adults. So, finally the adult flea will die if they didn’t find any host.
Q: What does a flea egg look like?
Ans: Most of the flea eggs are colourless but some have pearly white or yellow colour. They are very tiny and we can’t view them without the help of a magnifying glass.
Q: Can fleas jump?
Ans: Yes, they can but don’t think they have wings. The fleas will use their powerful hind legs for jumping. In a study, it is showed that some fleas can jump 150 times their own length, which compares to 300 meters of human jumping. They simply jump from one host to another for their survival.
Q: Can fleas lay their eggs on humans?
Ans: They are some uncommon species known as a human flea which actively search for a human host but won’t lay eggs on the human. These human fleas or Pulex irritans will mostly inhabit human who doesn’t have good hygiene and in the places where they like to hide in furry, soft and dark places.
Q: What stops fleas from biting you?
Ans: Keeping your skin, pets and surrounding areas clean and dry will definitely help you to stop the fleas from biting you. Extreme hot or cold will help to keep these fleas away from the home. Always, clean your household items and pets regularly to get rid of this infestation.
Q: How do you get rid of fleas in your bed?
Ans: Whenever you came to know about flea infestation in the home, you should immediately counteract to avoid worsening the problem and to get relief from these fleas. Here are a few steps that help you to get rid of fleas in the bed.
Washing of beddings – Regularly rinse the bed sheets, pillowcases, comforters and blankets with laundry detergent on a hot cycle and then run them in the dryer.
Vacuuming – Make sure to vacuum your mattress, pillows, rugs and sheets on a daily basis which helps not only to clear fleas but also their eggs and other life cycles. Also, be sure to dispose of the vacuum bags to prevent the infestation.
Use Flea Powder – The usage of flea powder during vacuuming process will help to eliminate the bed fleas but be sure to check that this powder is free from toxic chemicals and safe to use on the pillows and bed or else it may cause harm to one’s health.
Say no to pets in the bed – Remember that don’t allow your pets until the flea infestation is cleared on the beds.
Q: Can fleas live in carpets?
Ans: Fleas do live in carpets. Do you know that 80% of fleas (other than adult fleas) develop within carpeting? Flea eggs develop in carpets which offer a warm, humid microclimate to hide and grow. Flea larvae and flea pupae will grow in carpets.
Q: How do you get rid of fleas in your carpet?
To get rid of these fleas in carpets you should vacuum the carpet thoroughly and throw out the vacuum cleaner bag. Also, steam clean your carpets and furniture along with your pet bedding to get rid of fleas on the carpet.
Q: What does a flea bite look like on a person?
Flea bites are easy to identify. It appears as small, red, slightly raised and itching spot surrounded by a red halo. It causes a lot of irritation and a great discomfort without any swelling in the bitten area.
Scratching on the bitten area will cause bleeding and intense pain. The flea bites can occur on anywhere on the body but the most common areas are the lower legs and ankles.
Q: What measures should follow while suffering from fleabites on the human?
Ans: Whenever you find a flea-bitten on your skin then immediately rinse the affected area with a mild soap and cold water. Then apply some cold compress to reduce the itching and irritation. Avoid scratching the itchy area and apply anti-itch topical cream to reduce the pain and inflammation. Also, apply a few drops of calamine lotion on the affected skin area for faster relief.
Q: Can I use baby shampoo to wash my cat or dog?
Ans: Yes, you can use the baby shampoo (but not any other human shampoo) to rinse your pets (cat or dog). The baby shampoos are designed for sensitive skin without containing any harmful chemicals or fragrances. This will be designed to maintain proper skin’s pH level and thereby leaves the skin well moisturized with a protective barrier. Make sure to rinse your pets thoroughly after using this baby shampoo.
Q: Can I use body wash to wash my dog?
Ans: No, the usage of human shampoos or body wash will destroy the acid mantle of the dog and thereby the microorganisms are left to run rampant. Then you will find the dog’s skin will be peeled off, dried and itchy, which becomes more irritating. So, always use products designed for dogs which are gentle on their and clean them thoroughly.
Q: Can fleas live in your clothes?
Ans: Fleas don’t like to stay on human body or clothes for a longer time. When once they feed on human blood then they jump off to a better spot in the house. They also won’t lay eggs on the clothes why because these bug love to live in an environment where it has the stable supply of moisture and humidity.
Robert Curry says
Rubbing alcohol 70% kills fleas dead!!!!
Joy DeHart Thomas Ayers says
GET RID OF ROACHES – HOW?
Cathy Vinci says
I read that feeding your dog a quarter tsp ( a pinch ) of powdered sulfur orally,every 10 days,will eliminate chiggers,ticks bited,mosquito and flea bites.For what its worth. I plan on doing this.
Rick-Michelle Luttrull says
Last year we had a flea problem and learned that salt does not work. Do not use salt on your carpets, it is the worst thing you can do to them. Salt absorbs moisture and the carpet turns wet, sticky, and any metal that sits on it (furniture leg tabs etc.) will leave rust spots. We learned the hard way about salt. The DE works great and we used the dish soap water in a bowl with a light over it, safer then a candle. The dish soap and light works great for all bugs that are attracted to light, (flies, mosquito's, fleas, etc.) Vacuum day and night till fleas are gone.
Penny Waller says
Food Grade DE kills roaches, tractor supply carries this.
Debbie Jurek-Zarowny says
If you plug in a nightlight place a sticky mouse trap under it. During the night or in dark places they jump and get stuck. Safe.and VERY EFFECTIVE. Just watch small children and where you walk. Peanut butter works to get clue off or get unstuck..
Denise Madison says
Dog gone Fleas!
Helen Marie Daff says
do you spray it on carpet and animals?
Jade Inez Carlisle says
does this work?
Cathy Vinci says
Jade Inez Carlisle Havent found the sulfer and will buy some soon.My dog for some reason hasnt had any prob this year as previous yrs. Its worth a try.
Yvonne Sundby says
also helps hot spots on dogs.
Rachel Sanchez says
I had no problem with flees till I brought home my two baby kittens. As of later all four of my cats, including myself are fighting flees. Please help!!! I don't know what to do!!
Stephanie Demos says
Helen Marie Daff most certainly not on cats, who lick and ingest everything that is on their bodies
Tena Feack says
How do u get ride of torches
Mike Auckram says
Cockroach bait works great
Carmel RavensFan Mount says
I have hard wood too, so in anxious about trying this.
Desirhea Williams says
Where do you purchase it
Andrew John Winson says
Wats de we can't get rid of these
Teri Baker says
Move! Raid paiste comes in a tube and looks like peanut butter. It really works good.
Mike Auckram says
I just bought a few cans of bomb n let it rip inside the house and it took care of 90% of fleas for me and dog
Felicity Griffits says
It does but it's also toxic if too much is inhaled so be careful not spray it around your pets and make sure the room is well ventilated.
Lydia Garza-Koshfam says
I'm having good results with the candle and soapy water remedy. It's so satisfying to find dead little fleas in the water. Don't we all just hate them?!
Wim De Villiers says
Get one of those electric zappers that looks like a racquet…stroke it at an angle over the bed or affected area. It take some time but is very effective. Don't stroke your dog or yourself with it please!!!! :))
Celeste Henkelman says
Helen Marie Daff No! Do not use alcohol on your animal. It will irritate and dry out their skin. (This is also why human shampoo should not be used on your 4-legged friend. It dries out their skin.)
Patricia Sue Boling says
P.S. The reason why salt, and all those other "remedies" don't cure the flea problem is they only kill ADULT fleas. There are still flea eggs and larvae continually hatching out. Advantage II kills ALL stages of fleas.
Pamela Perry Smith says
boric acid is not caustic. I use boric acid, alcohol and gentian violet solution mixed together for my dogs ears. I spent a fortune at vets and over the counter for ear meds. The boric acid is actually what soothes the ear.
Chrissy Snoeberger says
I tried the earth stuff. Followed the directions on line and the bottle. It didn't help at all. It actually made a huge mess and clogged up my sweeper filter. I have to buy a new sweeper.
SaKiya Moon says
Salt worked perfectly fine for me. doused my carpets and whole home in it, left it for three days then vacuumed it up, and repeated two more times. Worked like a charm and definitely do not have a negative thing to say. This was done last year. Perhaps you did it wrong.
Misty Lane says
Baby oil works great for getting things unstuck from sticky mouse traps.
Cozy Comfort says
I dissolve a tbsp of regular salt in a 16oz spray bottle and fill the bottle with warm water to dissolve. Then I spray a light mist in all the carpet areas where my pets like to lay – both dogs and cats – and underneath and behind furniture where fleas might hide. Also spray in main walkways. The flea activity is usually under control by the next day and I only spray once a week because the salt stays active for several days, and I have never had a problem with damaged furniture or carpet discoloration. I vacuum once a week and shampoo once a month. I am deathly allergic to pesticides so was so happy when I learned about the salt method three years ago, and I have been using it ever since. At the first sign of fleas I give the dogs a bath in tea tree oil shampoo and strip the bedding and put it in the dryer if it is newly cleaned, if not I wash it first. I am devoted to my salt remedy, it is cheap works well, and a small amount does the trick!
Cozy Comfort says
What different does it make as long as it works and isn't harmful? Why nit pick?
Cozy Comfort says
Bombs are harmful to pets, people, and the environment….
Cozy Comfort says
The toxic residue from those bombs can cause all kinds of health issues down the road, even cancer 10 years after you've used it….
Cozy Comfort says
Rubbing alcohol can cause eye and skin irritation for people and pets, not to mention respiratory and digestion issues as well.
Brandi Lea says
U know I spent like $20 on a bottle of advantage flea spray and it smells like straight up alcohol glad I payed that much for rubbing alcohol
Helena Squires says
Put boric acid on all corners and base boards of the house. ESPECALLY, behind the fridge, stove, and any other stand/furniture you have in your kitchen. Wipe the walls and floors with deleted bleach to get rid of their trail and before you know it their all gone. You can also put some Roach motels down in corners and under things. When I first moved into my place the people before me didn't care so they didn't clean and this place was infested. The owner bombed but didn't realize how bad they were until I moved in and started moving stuff around. That's when I did the combination of the 3 above. Its been 6 months and no bugs. Yay.. Also you do have to clean on a regular. Just try subsuting bleach water when wiping down walls and floors. Don't smell to good but you know its clean
Stephanie Wilson Walter says
salt that makes sense thank you. found some flea's on my kitty and I have been getting bit for weeks and thought it was just my disease pfffft! I have some homemade cleaner of whte vinegar soaked citrus peels for months that I dilute with water, so I added salt and dissolved it, since vinegar (apple cider) citrus deter's and kills fleas along with peppermint. soo I mixed that, sprayed my house, then sprayed some in my hands and rubbed on my kitty then sprayed some in a kitty brush and brushed her with it spray brush spray brush. I also make my own carpet fresh with baking soda cinnamon and clove just added some salt to it and sprinkled my carpets yea. nip that in the bud I hope no more. so thanks for your help.
Jordan Stokes says
Coretta Clifford Salt will cause metal to rust. Just an FYI. This is why you never purchase a car that has been up north for a long time. The salt used on the roads to deice them causes the sheet metal on the car to rust. Not saying it doesn't work for fleas but she is right if you have metal furniture I wouldn't recommend putting salt anywhere near it.
Jordan Stokes says
Patricia Sue Boling The vet just gave my dog some liquid called revolution and withing 30 minutes I could see the fleas falling off my dog. I couldn't use any over the counter liquids because she is so small. This revolution is for 0lbs and up and for dogs and cats. When we go back we are going to try Actyvil since it kills fleas, ticks, and worms. Glad you found something that works for you. It's a struggle with fleas. My vet also told me to treat year round. Fleas are worst in the fall but they still seek warmth and will come indoors for winter, they just don't breed as much.
Jordan Stokes says
Yvonne Sundby Where can you buy it? my puppy has hot spots now thanks to fleas and our continuous battle.
Ronnie Mason says
Does Ebson salt kill fleas?
Giovanni Martinez says
viscosity does increases with soap
Cheryl Ater says
Hello I have flies do I have wash everything I own in my house like clothes that's hanging up an winter clothes I have stored in my basement I c I have A lot of flies in basement for some godly reason
Cheryl Ater says
What kind of vinegar? Can I put on my dog.if so what do I mix?
Ottis Mitchell says
@jordan stokes…….. .. salt AND moisture will corrode metal and cause rust. It does NOT apply in this situation. Dust your carpets with the salt and then vacuum a day or two later. This method will NOT affect your metal furniture. I have a metal coffee table and dinningroom set. I dust my carpets with salt as a regular routine
Rocki Lee says
Did it work
Mely Flores says
Yes it did. Within a day or two.
Kimberley Griffith says
Candle and soapy water working !.. Thank You (gosh i hate fleas!)
Renee Vires Honeycutt says
if you take the filter out and wash them you should not have to buy a new one- i use the DE too but going to try the candle-
Renee Vires Honeycutt says
Mary i have hard wood floors too- just how much salt do you put in the corners
Holly Greene says
I always just used a short lamp, not a candle! Always worked, then repeat in 10-14 days. Be sure to move the bowl around the room also and the lamp.
Gloria Coulter says
The person was just trying to help with people getting rid of fleas why would it matter how he or she misspelled words, its not a grammar class just a way to get rid of those little pests……
James Thompson says
Thanks for the awesome advice on flea removal. I made sure everything was spelled right to.lol seriously.
Trisha Himm says
Mely Flores you saw lots of dead fleas in the soap??
Ginger Williams says
What a jerk… Who cares about the misspelled words
Rob Coke says
I wasn't referring to spelling mistakes. I specifically said poor use of grammar. Spelling is something which can be ignored (assuming the author used the correct their/there to/two/too your/you're.. etc). Again, I am not an author or publicist… I can afford to misspell a few words without losing my job. I'm an engineer, it's not my responsibility. But making sentences which violate basic English structure is another story… FOR EXAMPLE, this is a sentence which was directly copied from the article: "…dehydrating agent which causes severe dehydration in fleas due to which they are killed". How does this make any sense, and how is it that something like this should be tolerated by an established author? And on top of that, I'm not allowed to criticize these errors without people losing their tits, what the heck!?
Monica Lynne McEuen Perkinson says
the salt doesn't bother your pet? I have a small dog and am worried it might bother his pads.
Makenzie Rook says
Trisha Himm I have been doing this and it has been working very well. I saw a LOT of fleas in the water. Takes some time but works!
William Russ says
Fuck you Rob Coke. You're an asshole.
Social Comments Box Professional Poster says
Top 10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas, The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why
Cozy Comfort says
No it doesn't because it is such a small amount 1 tablespoon per 16 oz of water. I just got a new puppy last month who was infested and sprayed directly on his back and rubbed it in and fleas were gone by the end of the week. It didn't even redden his skin or bother his eyes unless you get it directly in the eyes. Less salt than an average serving of dog food. My vet said it was fine before I ever tried it. Salt works on lady bug infestations also – it crystalizes them by dehydration..
Cozy Comfort says
Get a life, and stop picking on others. This isn't technical writing class….
Cozy Comfort says
I bought a cheap coffee grinder to make salt powder to dust the wood floors. Just sprinkle some around the floor edges where fleas hide most.
Cameron Piper says
Ima try the salt water an da dish soap candle trick, but i dont get how dis rob guy cares so much about spellin an grammer when he has such a larg stick in his ass to worrie about, if the coyntry is so stupid and ur so incredably intelagent, u should have no problem rising to the top of the food chain and becoming what ever it is perfect people wish to b, but wait ur still relieing on people like us to do something as simple as kill flees, grow up cool guy, im sure u fall short in at least one aspect of ur life
Jodi Lutz Essary says
Yes,I did salt on my carpets about 6 months ago & let me just say the carpet is not the same!!
Jodi Lutz Essary says
How do u do that??
How to get the best nutrition says
Top 10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas, Only in the case of the Negro has the melting pot failed to bring a minority into the full stream of American life
Dayton Taylor says
Fleas won't stay on wood or laminate bc it's too cool for them… Warm fabrics furniture pets bodies…
Merle Hanna says
Yep, a small lamp or light will draw them as well and I am sure would make one feel a bit safer.
Nita Graham-Nixon says
Lord help our imperfections! We strive fore more advance punkuation!! Lmbo
Barb Brewer says
I thought this article was about getting rid of fleas. Did I miss something?
Nancy Damiani says
Just wondering if baking soda would do the same? Its already a powder and its very salty!. Anyone here know if it would work the same?
The Hype says
There is a serious problem with a human being that would make a comment like this. Grow up, you're an adult. You had no reason whatsoever to make these statements. You are definitely NOT the better person. Who do you think you are, anyway? Cult? Are you some kind of stupid? It's apparent that you didn't have much schooling to begin with, since your grammar is atrocious. Please turn off your computer and learn some social skills.
Dani Marie says
" article, but if constructing faultless sentences is a struggle, perhaps resort to pictures next time?"
Since you're so concerned with grammar, I thought you might like to know something regarding the excerpt from your comment above. Your comma should appear after but, not before. Your sentence is a statement which warrants a period.
Our country is made worse only by the wonderful folks who point fingers and highlight the mistakes of others in an effort to cover up their own.
Get a life.
Janet Prugel says
I don't think that I know anyone that is perfect Rob so I would say that when you are perfect then you can make comments until then I would suggest you just read articles and take what you want from them and ignore the incorrect grammar and misspelled words. No need to put people down. I give them credit for trying to help people. NOW YOU CAN COMMENT ON MY GRAMMAR AND SPELLING BECAUSE I KNOW I AM NOT PERFECT AND MAKE MISTAKES THANK YOU
Julie Rogers says
Crank
Amber Mustard says
Did u try #2 listed above??
Amber Mustard says
Did u try #2 listed above??
Janet Mann Sanford says
On the off subject grammar issues, I understand since I am usually an out of work editor! No one cares anymore!! I cringe at the same issue!
Ronnin Dela Cerna Macasinag says
IT'S AWESOME 🙂
Alice Heinen Ketchum says
OMG!!!!
Holly Greene says
using real fire is not a good idea, a short lamp works just as well.
David Diaz says
I just moved in my New house an it's fool of them how do I get kill them the fastest way
Leelee Aponte says
sprinkle salt all over the house.. leave for a couple days then vacuum or sweep.. salt dries fleas from inside and kills them.. en espanol.. Usa la sal que tu usas para comer, pon por toda la casa.. en el piso.. dejalo asi por dos dias como son muchas y despues limpias el piso con el vacum. la sal mata las fleas por dentro, secandolas.. it works.. 🙂
James Davis says
*squints* huh?
really, stupid? and you are who again? like we give a rats butt what you think of our grammer… we want to kill fleas… but your chafing us worse… your so inteligent, why are you here? you have fleas? kick rocks braniac!
Aleera Faye says
I'm so glad I found this. I get fleas really bad because I have 6 cats. I hate using gross chemicals around them because I worry about their health, not to mention I have asthma. I was wondering if you can make that herbal flea spray with the vinegar, lemon, and witch hazel in a smaller batch. would it make a difference if you cut the amounts in half or even in fourths.? if anyone has done this can you please let me know.
Clint Taggart says
you mean epsom salt i believe.
Christy Kali says
Where can I find the tea tree shampoo at
Serena Keller Undercofler says
WTF do the three comments below have to do with getting rid of fleas? o_O
Lisa Miljour says
Good ideas
Crystal Middleton says
i have it bad in my yard and under my house i need help
Robert Rice says
I came to this site to inform people of the dish soap and plate method but I see it's the first remedy on the list. My place was infested from the prior residents having a cat in the apt. and an emergency room dr. told me about this and I just leave it around all the time now. You need not bother with anything else and this costs about 1 cent. I used a lamp positioned overhead about 6 inches, and this is better than having an unattended fire going while you are sleeping(what a maroon). After 3 days there were about 50 of the biting pests on the whipped cream lid I used.Better than Terminix for sure.
Robert Rice says
Read what I posted above and you'll never be bothered by fleas again.
Robert Rice says
So you came to a bug removal site and this is what came to mind?LOL
Lesa Parker Reed says
Since you are so intelligent, would you please develop something that will automatically delete off topic subjects like casting spells on cheating men and grammatical errors, so that busy people do not have to sift through random thoughts that no one cares about!
Saundra Robinson says
Me too. My English teachers would slap me if I spoke or wrote the things I see here. If I see that I made a mistake, I go back and edit it. As a former legal proofreader, I wonder how some books get published,
Julia Hulston says
I cant wait to try the soapy water tonight. ..hopefully no more fleas…
Peggy Tennant Alguire says
Robert Rice… THANKYOU very much.. You just made my decision for me, on my flea problem.. I wasn't keen on the candle idea either..
Peggy Tennant Alguire says
Thanks Robert.. I'm going to try it your way
Will Hamz Wally says
does it have to be a tea light candle or can it be just any candle ?
Misty Dawn Rogers says
I use a night light. Put the plate of soapy water under the night light.
Kaile Lacourciere says
Do Not use the salt remedy if it is humid. Your rug will suck in moisture and you will end up with a damp, salty rug that now has fleas And needs to be dried out/cleaned!