If you want ways to kill fleas naturally, salt and baking soda can dehydrate the fleas' bodies, killing them within a day or two. The bugs are also sensitive to high heat and soap, making steam cleaners, hot water and detergent, and hot cycles in the laundry extremely effective at killing them.
Make a homemade flea treatment by mixing six cups apple cider vinegar, four cups water, and a pinch of salt. Spray DIY treatment on the dog's coat — avoid eyes and wounds.
Will apple cider vinegar kill fleas? While Apple Cider Vinegar does not kill fleas, it may repel them because fleas dislike its smell and taste.
You can sanitise tile surfaces and floors with bleach to kill flea eggs, as well as wash fabrics at high temperatures in the washing machine and add bleach to the load. Don't forget to use a colour-safe product for non-white textiles.
Flea eggs are small, oval white specks that resemble a grain of salt. You'll find flea eggs in any and all places that your cat or dog frequents—beds, bedding, crates, couches, chairs, carpeting, floor cracks or crevices, and corners. Flea eggs can survive for approximately 10 days before hatching.
Using a DIY flea spray of apple cider vinegar on a rug or dog bed will not kill fleas of any life stage. That's because the acid in vinegar is not strong enough to penetrate the shell of flea eggs or larvae.
If fleas have spread throughout your house, you can make a white vinegar solution with equal parts water and vinegar to spray on carpet, baseboards, furniture and under furniture. Salt. When it's sprinkled on to the carpet salt will work as a drying agent to kill flea eggs and larvae.
Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar is an effective way to ensure that there are no fleas on your hard surfaces. Wash your floors and wipe your countertops and tables with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water, to get rid of fleas [source: Home Remedy Care].
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.
CAPSTAR® (nitenpyram) starts killing fleas within 30 minutes to give your pet quick relief.
First, mix dish soap with warm water. Then place a bowl containing the mixture in each room of your house and leave it there overnight. When fleas jump into the solution, the dish soap will cause them to get stuck. Then you can simply throw out the solution in the morning to get rid of the fleas.
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.
Using Citrus to Repel Fleas
Just as with apple cider vinegar, fleas are repelled by the sharp, pungent scent and flavor of citrus juices, especially lemon juice. That makes lemon juice one of the great natural home remedies for dog fleas.
Fleas can live on hardwood floors. They develop in cracks and crevices, which create a suitable micro-habitat for larvae. Tile floors are a poor habitat. Linoleum is even worse for supporting fleas, due to the lack of cracks.
Vacuuming does work, at least in terms of reducing the severity of the infestation. But fleas breed quickly, and in the case of severe flea infestations it's unlikely you'll be able to remove all of the fleas from the carpet. In addition, flea eggs are sticky and attach themselves to carpet fibers.
Apple Cider Vinegar Spray
Apple cider vinegar is a slightly acidic pH level that helps prevent fleas from living and reproducing on your pet's coat. Make a solution of six cups of ACV and four cups of water (in a 6:4 ratio).
Bathe Your Pets with White Vinegar
Do this regularly and your pets will begin to repel fleas, as these fleas will be out off by the unappealing smell from your pets caused by vinegar.
In short: using vinegar solution or white vinegar on your pet's fur or in their drinking water will not kill fleas. There is a chance ACV could repel fleas because they don't like the taste, but it is only a mild detergent and is not the best flea remedy. ACV should not be your first choice for natural flea treatment.