Borax & Salt Recipe to Kill Fleas

Fleas commonly infest dogs.

Fleas are known for plaguing dogs and cats, causing serious itching and skin irritation. If the fleas are left unchecked in a home, they will multiply and begin biting humans. Many pesticides are effective against the flea but not always safe to use around pets and people. Stick to an all-natural flea-killing recipe such as one made from Borax and salt.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner
• Garbage bags
• Bucket
• 1/2 lb. refined salt
• 1/2 lb. Borax

Instructions

1. Vacuum every room infested with fleas. Place the vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed garbage bag and set in an outdoor trash can.

2. Combine 1/2 lb. of refined salt and 1/2 lb. of Borax in a bucket. For larger areas, simply use equal parts of salt and Borax.

3. Sprinkle a light coating of the Borax/salt mixture over the floor. The fleas will crawl over the mixture, which will pierce their exoskeletons and cause death from dehydration.

4. Wait 12 hours and vacuum up the dead fleas along with the Borax/salt mixture. Immediately remove the vacuum cleaner bag and put it in a sealed garbage bag. Set the bag in an outdoor trash can.

5. Repeat application two weeks later to kill any new fleas hatching from eggs that were not harmed by the Borax/salt mixture.

Tips & Warnings

• Treat your pet and its bedding at the same time as you treat the flooring. Your pet can be treated with a little dish soap and water, which must remain on your pet for five minutes so it can kill all of the fleas. Use your washing machine to wash the bedding in hot, soapy water.

References

• Flea Control Book; How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally; Barry Silverstein
• University of Kentucky; Ridding Your Home of Fleas; Mike Potter

Resources

• Old Fashioned Living; Ridding Your Home of Fleas; Brenda Hyde