Flea infestations are a common nightmare for each and every pet owner. It has been estimated that about 90% of pets can be attacked by fleas which can then invade your entire home just in a short time. Generally, many people will use chemicals to treat this problem; however, most of these products are fairly expensive and not good for your health or the planet. There are, however, several less toxic substances that can help you deal with the worry of a flea infestation. Today we’ll explain to you how to get rid of fleas with baking soda, a well-known home remedy.
How to get rid of fleas with baking soda on pets
The source of fleas will usually be your dogs or cats, so you need to start with them in order to deal with the problem at the root. A mixture of baking soda and water is a good remedy for the itching caused by fleas. Pets can be treated with a paste made from 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a little water to prevent itching and scratching. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a little water and apply the thin paste onto the flea bites. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture to the affected areas. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. Do not use baking soda on broken skin or open wounds.
In case your pet is itching all over and you desire to get rid of all the fleas, you can give your pet a bath with half to one cup of baking soda mixed into its bath water. Wash your pet with the mixture, beginning at the neck, and working your way to the tail. Keep the mixture on your pet for a few minutes before rinsing. As you rinse, you can clean away any dead fleas. Use a clean towel to dry your pet. Next, utilize a flea comb to remove any fleas that may remain on your pet. Keep fleas from invading your home again by keeping your pet indoors or by using nontoxic, preventative flea control products like a flea collar
How to get rid of fleas with baking soda and salt on carpets
The carpets in your house are places where these annoying insects like to hide and multiply. As we all know, baking soda and salt, these common kitchen ingredients, are not only safe and healthy for pets and babies but are inexpensive as well. Why don’t we take advantage of them instead of spending a fortune on toxic exterminatory products? More importantly, this natural remedy allows you to not only get rid of adult fleas, but also their eggs and larvae.
To get started, you’ll need the following: a box of baking soda, salt, a vacuum cleaner and a good stiff broom.
First, remove as much furniture as you can give yourself a free space to work on the entire carpet. In addition, remove your pets and children far from the treated areas because baking soda and salt can cause irritation to open wounds on their skin.
Second, mix an equal portion of baking soda and salt. A reasonable starting quantity is one cup of baking soda and one cup of salt. Mix enough to cover every inch of your carpet, as well as under the furniture, in the corners of the room, on upholstered furnishings and so on. Another way to do it is to use the baking soda and salt separately. In this method, freely sprinkle salt on the carpet from left to right so as to cover all areas. Next, sprinkle baking soda as you did the salt, however, the amount of baking soda can be less than of salt since soda is easier to spread. Besides, a large amount of soda may lead to trouble with sweeping it with the broom.
Third, take a broom and sweep the carpet vigorously. This ensures that the baking soda and salt mix completely with each other. Moreover, doing this is a way to help these effective products go deep inside every carpet fiber and then choke the fleas to death. During this period, these pesky insects will try their utmost to get away from the treatment, so you will probably see them jumping on your feet and legs. It is therefore highly recommended that you protect these parts with a pair of socks or slippers.
Fourth, leave your mixture in the carpets for at least 12 hours or longer, depending on how serious the level of infestation is. A good time to do it is if you’re going away for the weekend or on holiday.
Last but not least, vacuum all treated areas thoroughly to remove all the dying and dead fleas. Just one remaining flea egg lurking deep in the carpet fibers can result in a huge problem in the long run. Therefore, make sure you regularly vacuum your home and repeat the whole process twice a week until the problem has been resolved.
How to get rid of fleas with baking soda and vinegar
Did you know that a combination of baking soda and vinegar is also a highly effective flea remedy? Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup warm water
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- 5 drops essential oil
- 1 spray bottle
Step by step to mix all the ingredients:
- Place ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of baking soda into the measuring cup.
- Add 5 drops of essential oil.
- Slowly pour ½ cup of warm water into the cup.
- Gently pour 1 cup of cider vinegar into the cup. You will see a hissing and foaming reaction.
- Pour your mixture into the spray bottle and shake.
How to spray it onto your pets and infested areas:
- Make sure that your pets are not allergic to the essential oils before spraying. Spray your pets down from a distance of 6 inches away. Avoid the area of the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Rub it into their coats with your fingertips.
- Directly apply this mixture onto floors and places where fleas would hide.
- Store the remainder in the fridge.
To sum up
Before you turn to toxic chemical products for solutions to your flea problems, do remember to always try natural remedies like these ones first. They will save you a lot of money and health issues. They are also friendlier to the environment. We do hope that after reading this information, you have more insight into how to get rid of fleas with baking soda and how to apply it correctly.
Thanks for reading!
