While Apple Cider Vinegar does not kill fleas, it may repel them because fleas dislike its smell and taste. One of the most simple ways to use this natural flea repellent is to make a solution out of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.
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.
What is this? Another way to use vinegar to kill fleas is to wash your pet using DAWN® dishsoap and, while working up the lather, adding a stream of vinegar and alternating it with a stream of plain warm water while massaging the pet. Let the soap and vinegar solution stay on the pet for at least 10 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary will all naturally repel fleas. If your dog doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil into a 300ml-400ml of water and spray directly onto your dog's coat.
Raid® Flea Killer Plus Carpet & Room Spray kills adult fleas on contact and kills hatching eggs for up to four months on carpet and upholstery. Available in 16 oz.
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.
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.
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).
While some people believe that vinegar can kill fleas, this is unfortunately not true. However, fleas do intensely despise the taste and smell of vinegar and will avoid it wherever they can. Therefore, vinegar is an effective flea repellent, but it doesn't kill fleas on contact.
Both apple cider vinegar and lemon juice are great home remedies for dog fleas, but they do have a down side, which is the simple fact that you have to reapply them frequently—sometimes multiple times a day—to keep them at their optimal level of effectiveness.
Thoroughly bathe pets with soap and water, then comb them with a flea comb. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail. Soap will act as a gentle insecticide to kill adult fleas.
White vinegar.
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.
Fleas are well-known 'jumpers'. Simply keep a bowl filled with baby powder in strategic places in the house. Fleas will jump into these bowls and be trapped, thereby killing them effectively.
Get Steamy. Once you have vacuumed your floors and upholstery, consider using a steamer or washing coverings in hot water. The heat will kill any additional fleas that may have been left behind. Other surfaces such as countertops and tables can also be cleaned with hot water.
When it has a host, an adult flea can live about 100 days. But how long can they live without a host? Those fleas typically live only one to two weeks.
Flea Dirt
Small red-brown or black specks on your pet or around your home may be a sign of fleas. While it could be typical dirt or dust, it's important to inspect. Flea dirt is flea feces. It often has a reddish hue due to the digested blood.
It is also an insect repellant and kills fleas," says Jose. "This is the major substance in Vicks, aside from Vicks use in upper respiratory infections, that can be used to repel mosquitoes and even fleas."
Adult fleas die at temperatures colder than 46.4°F (8°C) and hotter than 95°F (35°C). Immature fleas, which refers to both flea eggs and larvae, are slightly more susceptible to the cold, dying at temperatures below 55.4°F (13°C).