DIY How to Kill Fleas

Keep you and your pets happier by killing fleas.

Treating fleas feels like a never-ending battle. The sheer number of the little parasites is overwhelming. For example, according to Earth Clinic, in three months, a single female flea lays 20,000 eggs. That means 20,000 additional fleas to breed and lay more eggs. Instead of waving the white flag, fight back and kill the fleas using do-it-yourself methods. Use one or a combination of flea-killing methods to effectively win the battle.

Things You'll Need

• 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish
• Liquid dish soap
• Desk lamp
• White sheet
• Flea brush
• Petroleum jelly
• Cup
• Liquid hand soap
• Flea shampoo
• Nematodes
• Garden sprayer
• Garden hose
• Sprinkler

Instructions

Flea Traps

1. Fill a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with 1 inch of water. Add 1 tsp. liquid dish soap. Stir to combine.

2. Position the baking dish in the middle of a room with a carpet.

3. Place a desk lamp, or other light source that allows you to adjust the position of the light. The light needs to be 3 to 4 inches above the water. Turn the lamp on.

4. Turn all other room lights off. The light and heat of the lamp attracts the fleas. As they leap to reach the lamp, they end up in the water. The soap breaks the surface tension, drowning the fleas.

5. Empty the contents of the flea trap in the morning. Dump it in the toilet and flush the fleas. Repeat nightly until the flea problem is resolved.

Grooming

1. Place your dog or cat on top of a white sheet. The white sheet makes it easier to see fleas that jump off your pet during grooming.

2. Coat a flea brush in petroleum jelly. Brush your pet. The petroleum jelly traps fleas and their eggs on the brush. Remove the jelly and fleas with your hands.

3. Place the fleas in a cup filled with one squirt liquid hand soap and water. The soap and water drowns the fleas. Dispose of the fleas in the toilet. Repeat grooming daily.

4. Bathe your pet with flea shampoo. Start at your pet's head and work your way down its body. Because fleas run to higher ground when there is water, starting at the highest point and working your way down takes away their escape route. Washing with flea shampoo drowns the fleas as they are rinsed down the drain. Repeat baths once a week for dogs and once a month for cats.

Nematodes

1. Pour a package of nematodes into a garden sprayer. Nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on flea larvae. They are available at garden supply stores.

2. Attach a garden hose to the sprayer.

3. Spray the nematodes onto your yard. Apply them to cool, shaded areas of your yard. Nematodes and fleas prefer the cool and shade.

4. Turn your sprinkler on for one to two hours to moisten the ground and the nematodes.

References

• EarthEasy: Natural Flea Control
• Dirt Works: Nematode Instructions & Information
• Garden Insects: Natural Pest Control with Beneficial Nematodes