When it comes to flea control, it is tempting to reach for shampoos and sprays that promise effectiveness. These solutions are, however, packed with pesticides and chemicals that could make your pets and even people sick.
Spot-on packages are especially popular, even though they are formulated with toxic chemicals like permethrin, fipronil, and pyriproxyfen.
Such compounds have been shown to cause severe health issues for animals in laboratories. When treating your pet for fleas, you should look for solutions that protect their health, including:
1. Wondercide Spray
The Wondercide Spray is formulated with naturally-derived ingredients that are just as effective as the ingredients in drops, collars, pills, and chewables. The spray is, however, safe, and it will not cause any harm to your pet.
The spray is packed with essential oils and Vitamin E to soothe any flea-infested animals. It is available in four aromatherapeutic scents, that is New peppermint, Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Cedar. The spray works by targeting fleas externally, unlike other chemical treatments that enter your pet’s bloodstream.
In addition to fleas, the spray also repels mosquitoes, ticks, and hundreds of other bugs. The spray is also very effective because it does not only kill the fleas but the larvae and eggs. Eggs make up about 50% of any flea infestation, which is why it is crucial to choose a treatment that is potent enough to kill them. In addition to using it on your pet, the solution also works on carpet and furniture.
The application of the spray is incredibly easy. Simply spray and rub it in your pet’s body in the opposite direction of growth. Ensure it gets to the animal’s entire body, especially areas like the armpits, belly, tail, and legs. Apply is on the pet’s ears and face, but do not soak them in the solution. Spritz the spray before and after your pet has been outdoors.
2. Borax
Borax has risen in popularity as a natural pesticide and cleaner. The compound is also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, and it is mined in places like California. It is a common cleaner and laundry aid in households, and it is also marketed as a relatively safe pest-control method.
Borax is sold as a liquid, tablet, spray, paste, and powder. Select a borax brand for treatment, and you can scour through pet-owners’ forums to get the best one.
To start cleaning your home, move your furniture if you can to reach any crevices and dark areas. The bottoms of closets are common flea breeding-grounds. You should also vacuum any carpets and remove cushions and any other material that could be harboring fleas.
After treating your pet with pet-safe treatments, place them in an outside shelter so that you can focus on your house. Do not feed or treat any pet with borax. Proceed to treat the area where the animal frequents and lives.
For the borax to be effective, you have to sprinkle it in places where fleas can hide like inside closets and under furniture. It should also be directed over the surface of any carpets in the house, and you can use a steel brush to mix it into the carpet. The deeper the borax gets, the more fleas and eggs it will get. There should not be any visible powder by the time you are done. Work the borax into the fabric of your furniture as well.
Work from room to room, and leave the product for 24 to 36 hours. You can then vacuum as you usually do to deal with the dead fleas, larvae, and eggs. Depending on the brand you use, you should get up to a year’s protection.
The use of borax is not without contradictions, however. You should use protective clothing when applying the product because it causes minor skin irritations.
Borax is particularly toxic to cats since it causes breathing problems. Prolonged exposure will also cause dogs to contract testicular atrophy.
Health practitioners warn against ingesting more than 5 mg of the powder to avoid any cardiovascular problems. Ensure it does not get into contact with food, especially if you have children in the house.
3. Table Salt
One surprising way to deal with fleas is by using the salt in your kitchen cabinet. Salt kills fleas through dehydration thanks to its moisture-absorbing capabilities. Since it easily dissolves through the parasite’s exoskeleton, the salt will dry out the bodies of fleas. You can either use sea salt or the household variety.
The following steps can be used to prepare a salt dip for your pet:
- Get a container to prepare the dip
- Mix a solution of one cup of salt to one liter of water. You will have to prepare the solution several times for maximum effectiveness.
- Ensure your pet’s skin is free from any open wounds since salt will cause discomfort when it interacts with an open area of skin. To ensure that your pet’s coat is saturated with the mixture, pour it from the neck to the tail.
- Dab the excessive water from the pet because the salt needs to dry up before it starts to work.
- Leave the dried salt residue on the animal for several hours because you do not want it drying their skin if left for too long. Give the pet a rinse with plain water after a while.
Salt can also be used to clean a flea-infested home. To begin treating your carpet, sprinkle some of it in an even layer and use a broom to brush down the grains deep into the fabric. The salt should get between the fibers to be effective. Leave the salt for about 12 hours before you vacuum. You should repeat the process two more times for a complete treatment. It is also a good idea to treat your couches in case there are any fleas there.
The use of salt is also cost-effective since you only need a large container of the product for an averagely-sized room.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another non-toxic way of killing fleas. It is safe to use on pets and is readily available in stores.
You can use it as a dry pet shampoo on the animal in a bid to get it deep into the fur. The residue will dehydrate the fleas if left for a while. Work the shampoo at the base of the tail and back of the neck as well as behind the ears while avoiding the face. You can also mix a baking soda bath for your dog and add other safe ingredients like peppermint oil. Get the formula deep into the dog’s fur by using a comb. If there are fleas on your cat, make a baking soda spray instead of dipping them in a bath.
Pet owners commonly mix baking soda and table salt for maximum effectiveness. Spread this mixture on flea-infested carpets and use a push broom to work the solution into the material. You can let the mixture sit for two days before you vacuum the residue. Discard the vacuum cleaner bag right after since it can harbor live fleas.
The mixture can also be used on your sofa and in the garage.
5. Boric Acid
Boric acid is packed with herbicidal, insecticidal, and fungicidal properties. It is derived from the naturally-occurring element boron, and it is commonly sold as a white powder or as crystals.
Boric acid is effective in fighting fleas because it is a proven desiccant. It will corrode the exoskeleton of an insect and kill it. It is, however, not advisable to use boric acid on its own or make a DIY solution with it. You could over-expose your pets and animals if you use more than is required. It is better to purchase an EPA-certified boric acid product and follow the instructions of use.
To use boric acid around your house, start by clearing all places that require treatment, including where your pet lives. You can pre-vacuum carpeted surfaces to leave them free of dirt and to make it easier for the powder to penetrate the material.
Brush the powder into the carpeted areas, while paying attention to areas like under furniture. A back and forth motion will work the powder deep into the carpet. Leave the boric acid for one to two days before vacuuming the room.
Does Pepper Kill Fleas?
Cayenne pepper can be used in conjunction with aloe vera juice to deal with fleas. The combination makes a potent flea-killing spray, particularly for cats.
Does Eucalyptus Oil Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs?
Eucalyptus oil functions as a flea repellent when used on dogs. It is extracted from the seeds of eucalyptus trees, and it emanates a strong scent that fleas and other insects find unbearable.
Should You Use Insecticides To Kill Fleas?
The best way to deal with a flea infestation is to interrupt the life cycle of the parasite. If the infestation is particularly severe and needs an insecticide, opt for low-toxicity products to protect your pets and yourself.
Flea-control insecticides can lead to consequences that include accidental pet poisoning, especially if ingested and exposure to toxic chemicals from pet fur. You can minimize the risk by consulting your vet, using FDA and EPA-certified products, and following the instructions on the product.
Conclusion
A flea infestation can throw any pet owner into a panic. The parasites can cause your pet to be uncomfortable and spread diseases. Thankfully, there are organic and non-toxic products you can use to deal with the problem, including boric acid, borax, salt, baking soda, and Wondercide spray.
Salt, baking soda, and Wondercide spray can be safely used on your pet while boric acid and borax are used around the household.