Baking soda does not kill adult fleas and will do nothing to protect your pets. It is excellent at absorbing smells and has been suggested by some online pet sites for use as a flea killer because it “may” dry out flea eggs and larvae. But there is no evidence that using baking soda to kill fleas is effective at all.
Baking soda contains no harmful chemicals and poses no danger to children or pets unless it is ingested in large amounts. Always consult your veterinarian before using baking soda on your pet and spot test before using baking soda to clean carpets and furniture.
Make an equal mixture of salt and baking soda liberally on your carpet or affected area, and leave it overnight to dehydrate the larvae and eggs. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly and then clean your canister or bag carefully so you don't accidentally let the fleas out again.
Comb your cat with a fine-toothed metal flea comb from head to tail several times a day. This will skim off adult fleas and their eggs and ease their itching. Then, dip the comb in a mixture of warm to hot water and liquid dish detergent to kill the fleas.
You can also use salt alone, but it is not as effective as using baking soda on its own. Baking soda kills fleas eggs and larva by dehydrating them. However, it may not be as effective for adult fleas.
Grooming/brushing: Combing daily, especially with a flea comb, can remove live and dead fleas from your cat. Concentrate on areas where fleas like to hide, like the neck, armpits, groin, and the base of your cat's tail.
Try a shampoo with a low concentration of natural oils known to repel fleas, such as cedar, lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus. A diluted solution of apple cider vinegar may also help get rid of fleas.
Hot Water. Washing linens and bedding in water that is 140 degrees or hotter will be effective to destroy most flea eggs. Steam cleaning carpets after vacuuming can also help to kill remaining flea eggs.
Create a flea spray by mixing 4 liters of vinegar, 2 liters of water, 500 ml of lemon juice and 250 ml of witch hazel in a large spray bottle. Before applying the product around your home, you should vacuum properly, emptying the contents into an outside bin, and wash any bedding/cushions that could be infested.
We don't recommend immersing your cat in water, salty or otherwise. It's also said that salt can be sprinkled across your carpet to dehydrate fleas and can help kill the fleas. A good flea spray is likely to be less messy and more effective.
The underlying theory here is simple: the powder dehydrates the fleas (and their eggs), leading to them drying out and dying. Similarly, you may want to keep animals and children out of the room when you're using baking soda on your carpets. Give it a go!
Small amounts of baking soda may not cause any problems at all for some cats while it can be quite sickening to others. The amount which is considered toxic to your cat is greater than a third of a tablespoon (or about 1 teaspoon).
When a cat ingests a toxic amount of baking soda, symptoms show up within three hours of ingestion and usually include vomiting as the first sign. If left untreated, a baking soda toxic episode can lead to diarrhea, lethargy, seizures, and shortness of breath, among other symptoms.
Note that while many people use scented litter or air freshener to mask litter box odors, these odors can be off-putting to cats. A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat.
This apple cider vinegar (ACV) solution is an inexpensive alternative to commercial repellent. Apple cider vinegar (ACV, acetic acid) is acidic and acts as an irritant. It is a flea repellent that does not kill fleas. Hence, it is not a very effective remedy against fleas.
Eucalyptus is so powerful that it can kill fleas and repel them, making it a worthy tool in your arsenal during every step of the process of treating a flea problem. For the most effective pest control, a eucalyptus spray can be used around frequent flea hotspots such as pet bedding and the corners of carpets.
Apple cider vinegar can't kill fleas, but it can help to repel them. Fleas don't like the smell or taste of it, so they're likely to avoid your pet if they have it on their fur. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add it to a spray bottle.
Mix 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar with 3/4 cup water in a spray bottle for a homemade flea spray. Use the spray on any water safe surfaces you've noticed fleas on. You can also add vinegar to the wash when cleaning color safe pet beds and linens.
Bathe your cat or kitten with a specially formulated flea shampoo to kill fleas on contact. Flea sprays can be a good option for water-averse cats. Repeat treatment as needed and recommended on the label.
Because of the high level of citric acid, lemons are one of the most effective and natural ways to kill fleas. By spraying or brushing lemons onto your cat's coat to help get rid of the fleas. Slice a lemon and let it steep in boiling water then drain the water when cooled into a spray bottle.
You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, which is both effective in dealing with pests. Mixing essential oils like cedar or lavender can make the solution powerful. You can damp cloth with a vinegar solution on infested areas and on your pets to ensure that all fleas will be gone for good.
Cats are quite adept at keeping themselves clean, but sometimes they need a little extra help from their humans. If your kitty has fleas, you definitely want to take that extra step and bathe him.