What Are 10 Ways You Can Kill Fleas?

Fleas are a common problem with pets and can prove difficult to eliminate. Fleas enter a home in various ways including traveling in on a human or hitching a ride on a household pet. Once inside, fleas lay multiple eggs and can easily inhabit a home for months. As fleas carry diseases and worms, it is important to handle the problem as soon as you realize you have a flea infestation. For a person dealing with a flea problem, there are several different ways to kill fleas.

  1. Sprays and Foggers

    • Many commercial sprays and foggers are available that can be used or set off in a home to effectively kill fleas and flea eggs. Typically, occupants need to leave the home for a period of time after spraying or setting off a fogger for safety reasons. Professional companies also offer this service.

    Powders

    • Flea powders, for both the pet and home, are easy to use and effective for eliminating fleas. Simply follow the directions on the package and sprinkle the powder in areas where fleas might be hiding. Make sure the powder is marked as safe to use on your type of pet.

    Dips

    • Flea dip, or flea bath, treatments are beneficial for immediate flea problems and are available at most pet stores. These treatments are used directly on your infected pet. Dips are ideal for calm animals at least two years in age with no open irritations or sores. Always use a dip marked for your pet.

    Diatomaceous Earth Mixture

    • Mix 1 1/2 lbs. diatomaceous earth, 1 cup salt and 1 1/2 lbs. of natural borax. . Diatomaceous earth contains tiny, sharp particles that puncture and kill fleas, plus the salt and borax also kills fleas by absorbing their moisture. Sprinkle the mixture around the home where you have noticed fleas, let the mixture sit for a few days and then vacuum.

    Salt or Baking Soda

    • To use salt or baking soda to kill fleas around the home, vacuum the carpet, and then liberally sprinkle the carpet with salt or baking soda. Let the salt or soda sit for one day, vacuum and then throw the vacuum bag away. Do not let pets consume the salt or the baking soda.

    Hot Soapy Water

    • Simple hot, soapy water will kill flea eggs, pupae, larva and adults. Collect all dog or cat beds, rugs, curtains, bedding, drapes and anything else that is washable, and wash in hot soapy water.

    Neem Oil Shampoo

    • Bath your pet using a Neem oil shampoo. To make, mix 1 oz. Neem oil, two or three oz. white vinegar and four to six oz. of water. Soak pet in water, apply Neem oil shampoo, brush the shampoo through the fur and rinse.

    Flea Comb

    • Bathe the pet in a soapy bath and then run a flea comb through the pet's hair. This process will trap the fleas in the comb and then drown the fleas in the soapy water.

    Herbal Flea Collar

    • Try making an herbal flea collar to eliminate fleas. Mix one drop each of lavender, citronella, cedar wood and thyme oil with 1/2 tsp. rubbing alcohol and the contents of four garlic capsules. Soak a soft flea collar in the mixture, let dry and use.

    Topical Treatment

    • Topical treatments are placed on a small area of the pet's coat. The topical treatment kills fleas for up to one month. Topical treatments are available in most pet stores.