A DIY Flea Control Guide
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Wave Goodbye to Flea Bites
It’s safe to say that everyone hates flea bites. The best flea control is to get rid of them before they have a chance to infest your home. However, sometimes it’s too late for that. We know a lot of our readers care for feral cats and stray dogs. And unfortunately, sometimes that kind of compassion comes with cat fleas and fleas on dogs. Read on to learn more about how to get rid of fleas after they’ve already made themselves at home!
How to Get Rid of Fleas With a Homemade Flea Trap
“Help, my dog has fleas!” is something no one wants to hear themselves say. Flea bites are no fun for pets and owners alike. And here’s a terrifying flea fact: For every one flea that you see, there are statistically about 80 others that you don’t see, so fleas on dogs or fleas on cats are no joke. If you have flea bites, your home might definitely be infested.
But what if you can’t afford to hire a pest control specialist? You can always try DIY flea control. And you’re in luck, because you can build your own homemade flea trap. Here’s how to get rid of fleas using inexpensive items – some of which you may already own. To make a homemade flea trap, you will need:
- Several pie plates or some kind of large bowl with low sides
- Dish soap
- A candle, tea light, nightlight or other light source
Once you’ve collected those materials it’s time to start building your flea trap. Follow these three steps:
- Fill the pie plates with water
- Add approximately 2 tablespoons of dish soap to the water.
- Depending on what light source you are using, place the candle in the center of the plate or shine the light directly above the plate. Be extra careful when using water and electricity in close proximity!
The idea is fleas are attracted to the light source so it lures them into the trap. The fleas then enter the soapy water, get trapped and drown. When used in conjunction with other methods, this trap is very effective at getting rid of fleas before they can reproduce – particularly adult fleas.
Which Flea Control Traps Should You Buy?
The best way to combat fleas is by combining several methods. Fleas go through four life stages: eggs, larvae, pupae and adult. To effectively eradicate them, you’ll need to take a different approach to deal with each different stage. We’re a big fan of My Flea Trap. This eco-friendly device utilizes a LED light and sticky pads to trap fleas. We also love the Victor M230 Ultimate Flea Trap. It uses color, heat, light, scent and sticky pads to lure and kill fleas.
