The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Posted by Rachel (Corpus Christi, TX) on 08/16/2023 ★★★★★
I have given the raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar to both cats and dogs. I started giving some to my cats daily in their moist food. One cat that always has fleas worse than others seems to be flea free. She always has little scabs and flea droppings on her fur. She has no scabs or fleas that I can see. This has been my experience.
Posted by Kelly M. (Sallisaw OK) on 05/30/2022 ★★★★★
You have to use the dawn soap like a dip. The thick lather has to sit on the animal long enough to smother the fleas. Then follow up with ACV spray. Can also put 1 tbsp per one gallon water for drinking water. Pit Bulls especially ones that have blue coloring in their bloodline have very sensitive skin. A quality MSM supplement or sulphur can help tons if fighting skin issues due to flea allergies. - former holistic vet tech
EC: No, it's actually used as a topical treatment in the hydrogen peroxide and borax mange remedy for cats and dogs. You can find a cat mange page with posts in the pets section.
Posted by denise (skowhegan maine) on 11/08/2021 ★★★★★
I hope to get my Pitt girl into an Apple Cider Vinegar bath today! The fleas have calmed down just a little more, so I will also mix up a batch in a spray bottle. They've probaly just calmed down because of their cycle so I will have to be diligent about spraying her. I will say if it wasnt for the flea traps it would be absolutely more horrible than it is. I know because before I got the traps I was totally infested-and I believe she picked them up when I started taking her to the groomers. I'm not affiliated with these traps at all, but if I didn't have them, she and I would be in a world of big hurt. I have one in every room and it catches fleas like crazy and any other bug that tries to think about taking over my home. I cant have pans of water all around with a light bulb-I already tried that method -although it does have some success.
Posted by JLG (Williamsburg VA) on 10/09/2021 ★★★★★
We have used ACV baths when we rescue kittens and cats that are infested with fleas and Dawn and flea shampoo is not working.
We dilute it and let them soak in the water for about 5 minutes and just watch the fleas float or try to run off the cats but we are normally getting them with the flea combs.
The mixture is usually 1/2 cup to 1 quart warm water and letting the cats soak or walk in it using a cup to get the water over the head down their chin, cheeks and using my thumbs to get it under their eyes and top of their nose to ensure no runaway fleas.
We found this as a trick when we rescued the 7 week old kittens infested with fleas and no way to use flea shampoo, capstar or revolution and Dawn was not working.
20 mule power borax sprinkled into carpet and around the kitchen cabinets kills the fleas. Leave it there so when the eggs hatch in 7 days the new fleas will also die off. Also keeps bugs out of cabinets
Posted by Sgt. B (Folsom, Louisiana ) on 09/23/2020
I also use products from springtime for my animals, bug off garlic is great for them, either the tablets or the powdered garlic, plus I buy joint tablets and also use them for our horses, springtime products will send you a catalog or you can purchase online as well.
Posted by Karen (Gloucestershire, England) on 11/05/2018 1 posts ★★★★★
Hi, I've got 4 cats, 3 boys and 1 girl. 1 boy and 1 girl drink the water with what we call the Mother in I (acv) and the two other boys will not drink from the bowl. I've administered the Apple Cider Vinegar on cotton balls and washed their neck with it. What I need to know is will my two boys benefit from this? T.I.A. For a reply...
I tried many otc remedies for fleas on my dog. None kept them off. Then I remembered my Mom used AC vinegar for bugs! Duh! I mixed Apple Cider Vinegar half and half with water and sprayed my dog. Relief at last no scratching and biting! Vinegar is very cheap and isn't harmful to animals or humans. I continue to spray her every morning with no return of fleas.
I have 3 cats even Advantage 2 wasn't working I sprayed them down with a solution of water, Apple Cider Vinegar and dawn. Fleas died instantly and their fur is so soft
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I have these around my house and my dogs sometimes taste the water but that's about it, they don't drink from them. Please make sure your pet has access to fresh water should you use this type of trap.
Posted by Elwy (Atlanta) on 11/05/2017 2 posts ★★★☆☆
I tried ACV and although it did repel the fleas as soon as the smell was gone the fleas came back. My dog is on Lufernuron, it's a capsule that destroys the waxy material (Chitin) flea coat is made out of. Once the Chitin is destroyed the fleas are exposed then you can easily kill them. I also use Nitenpyram the generic of Capstar (money is tight) these kill the fleas in 24hrs, I will use 1 tablet a week until my infestation is gone. Along with that I have been vacuuming along with other products for the carpet and furniture.
Posted by Kathie (Struthers, Ohio) on 09/25/2017 ★☆☆☆☆
If I could give zero stars, I would. I sprayed me poor baby with the 1/2 and 1/2 mixture. Didn't work. Watched the video and followed to the letter bathing instructions. Said you would see fleas coming off the animal. So not true. My poor baby is still scratching and biting. Taking him to the vet to get taken care of once and for all. ACV doesn't cost a lot of money. Still, don't waste yours.
Don't use DE on anything you plan to vacuum. It is highly abrasive and my Vac motor was shot after a month.
DE is good but best used outside (in dry weather) or in barns, stall, on farm animals, etc. I used it inside my fabric furniture never to escape, as well as in cracks where I would not vacuum. Slow but does work.
We are using Cedarcide right now; only a trial size, but one shot dropped a big fly in mid flight. dropped like a rock. I have high hopes for them to help with the fleas. The eggs seem to have tapered off and I also use EVO Apple Cider Vinegar, along with cheap white vinegar, on fabric but not wood.
Posted by Linda (North Bend, Oregon) on 08/17/2017
Those don't work tried all that - Bathed them put pennyroyal on the collars and still fleas. The best way I have found is a good flea comb and a once a week bath.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Try making a flea trap with a lamp. Use a small desk lamp and place it on the floor of the room you wish to treat. Place a shallow plate under the lamp and then add water and a few drops of dish soap - stir gently to mix. Turn the lights out and wait and see what you catch. Works well for fleas and many other biting bugs.
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 07/24/2017
listerine the brown one 50/50 water in spray bottle, brewers yeast internally and garlic work well together you can rub brewers yeast into coat. Fleas hate yeast
Bombs do not work well for fleas or roaches. They hide too well for the gas to reach thier hiding spaces. Also u have to wash every "living" surface down after the bomb. If u enter too soon without waiting for the air to clear, u can get respiratory problems. These can and do cause people's death. How I lost my sister.
Your better choice for inside and outside is to use food grade diatomaceous earth. Safe for u and pets to ingest, but not death. Wear dust mask until extremely fine dust settles. Do one room @a time, so u can keep your pets from breathing airborne dust. Check internet. AMAZING STUFF.
I have heard Live Nematodes (microbial worms) that are sprayed through a garden sprayer all over your yard and garden will kill any fleas and other bad insects. So many people are using them now to combat the fleas in their yards and gardens, I am getting ready to order for my yard. You can purchase them online and at Amazon. I think they come in the million amounts and I am needing about 10 million which is only about $10-$12 dollars. I will keep my fingers crossed!
Posted by Barbie (Garden Grove, Ca) on 04/08/2017 ★★★★★
ACV for cats - I remembered earth clinic from a lady I rented from so I researched for my cat who has fleas and other issues. I give a five star plus because she immediately felt better as I sprayed a lil at a time I saw larva leave her tail. I also had some my stomach issue clearing up. Thank you so much. It works it really does
Please be careful with rosemary and dogs. Some dogs react badly and have seizures from ingesting rosemary (if you spray your dog with this and he licks it).
My dog has the same and I got ACV with the mother and she is almost flea free. I have only used it for 2 days now but I was useing plain ACV without the mother.
I was told by my local SPCA that Frontline and other topical treatments are completely ineffective in the flea battle this year. The fleas are immune to them. Was told that revolution is working but I am afraid of that one. I heard that cats were having seizures and some died....so I am trying the vinegar for my animals.
Apple cider vinegar for fleas. It works 5 stars. I have been dying from the infestation of fleas on my two cats( below the age of 5 months) they were fine! Gave regular baths as needed in dawn dish soap, was seeming to work. Than boom 2 weeks later no bathing took place my whole upstairs became infested. (Not to mention downstairs my mother in-laws pooch under 3 pounds is also covered). I tried everything from lemon juice flea combing with lemon juice and water. Blah no real results but for maybe a couple hours. Boom infested once again! Mind u I havent bombed yet! I recommend if you choose to bomb to do an extra bomb for each room IF you are infested and when airing out the house remain gone an additional hour. Anyways. 'Ive tried everything to no avail. Than I tried spraying them with Apple cider vinegar. Worked like magic. I did find though that mixing it with water and dawn worked well. But I prefer it straight, my cats didn't mind it and it worked in seconds! Please consider trying it!
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I don't use chemical flea products on my pack. I fight fleas by keeping grass trimmed in the dog areas to reduce their habitat. I will treat the dog areas with a simple green cleaning solution for odors, which also discourages fleas in those areas. I check my dogs for parasites regularly and use a flea comb to remove any fleas I do find. I use floor lamp flea traps in the house to catch any hitchhikers. If we go for a walk in the woods everyone goes into the tub for a bath and flea comb when we get home. If I *had* to use a topical flea deterrent I would consider an essential oil spray - google recipes for home made topical flea sprays using essential oils like cedar or geranium. Spray down the feet and feathering and under carriage before walks - fleas and ticks do not want to hitchhike on a pet that smells like cedar! I do think that a healthy pet is simply not as appealing to a parasite than an unhealthy host. So having your dog in top condition, on great groceries and on a rotating water schedule with baking soda to alkalize goes a long way at deterring fleas. I hope something here helps you! Fingers crossed for a killing frost [followed up by weeks of Indian Summer, yes?].
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
It surely is flea season in MN right now. Try the lamp flea trap - I have them deployed right now and they are very effective at catching fleas that your pets bring into the house. Search EC pages for the details on the lamp flea trap.
Posted by Matthew (Onamia, Mn) on 10/01/2016 ★★★☆☆
Well lately I have been using apple cider vinegar as a spray to help with my 2 dogs, but it seems it only relieves there scratching and chewing for a few hours and see no signs of the fleas going away. Heck I even clean the house everyday and they still get them really bad (used the baking soda/salt trick) and giving them baths every other day to 3 days.
The only ACV we got is the plain stuff you get at the store, and I don't see an organic brand in our grocery store.
I used apple cider vinegar on a little kitten that was covered in fleas but too young for traditional flea medicine. It worked perfectly. Now my kitten is happy and flea free. I used a 1/2 apple cider vinegar + 1/2 water solution.
Treating with an equivalent of Frontline for 2 dogs and a cat. Bought from PetSmart store. The flea cycle does not seem to be breaking. We had a lot of success years ago with Frontline but not this time. I am seeing baby fleas all over...particularly hitching a ride on my socks! I am going to try some of these ideas. My husband bought ACV last week to make a spray but I really want to kill the cycle. Will ACV help?
I feel your frustration. My old cat, several years back, also was allergic to flea bites and he would get wobbly, start drooling & pant from a flea bite! Then a nice expensive trip to the vet ER :(
Fighting fleas sucks, but if you wage an all out attack immediately, it gets things in control. This is what I did, and it was very effective.
1. Bath the cat in flea shampoo. And SATURATE the cat! And let the flea shampoo set in the fur 5+ minutes then rinse.
2. AFTER the cat is bathed & dry, use a spot treatment like Frontline or Advantage. Don't apply this before the bath or it simply gets washed off.
3. Throw everything possible, that the cat has slept or laid on, into the wash with HOT water. Then completely dry it on high. It's the intense dry heat from the dryer that actually kills the fleas and dehydrates any eggs.
4. Use a spray, like Advantage Carpet & Upholstry spray. Spray the cats bed, carpets, sofa, chairs, anything that cat goes on. Fleas hate sun so a well lit room is unlikely to have many fleas.
5. VACUUM VACUUM VACUUM. Take a cheap flea collar, such as Hartz, and cut it into pieces and put it in your vacuum bag. Any fleas that you vacuum up then will be killed in the bag and you don't have to worry about them hatching & coming out. Vacuum 2x each day for week 1.
Also, an excellent way to tell if they are gone, & to kill fleas, take a white bowl, fill with a couple inches of water and add a teaspoon of dish soap. Set it in a room that has a lot of fleas, and put it on the floor under an outlet. Put a nightlight in the outlet above the bowl. At night, fleas are attracted to the light. They jump toward the night light, fall into the bowl of soapy water, and can't escape. Once you no longer are seeing flees in the bowl each morning, you can pretty much know your flea problem is in control.
If needed, you can completely repeat all the steps on week 2, only don't bath the cat again & don't reapply flea treatment as it can only applied once/month on the cat.
Put 5 tea bags in 2 cups hot water with 5 aspirin set overnite and strain in am use in spray bottle for any wounds and it will heal in 3 days ..Tannin in tea dries wound and aspirin soothes and cures open wounds fast..I use this on my Golden that gets hot spots and they are better within 3 days ..
Try 1 and 1/8 of a cup of food grade coconut oil and one cup of Brewers yeast, mix it up, then pour it into molds I've used a cup cake tin, placing one tablespoon of mix per 10 pounds of weight of your dog. Chill in the fridge or freezer and so I'm told will last up to six months. This can be given once a day if heavily burdened with fleas then down to one every two to three days once it has calmed down.
Posted by Patricia (Downsville, New York) on 07/24/2016 42 posts
Theresa,
Wow! Thank you for that DE process. The downstairs of this house is one large open space except for the bathroom and a bedroom that is stuffed with boxes so I couldn't shut off a room at a time. I'd have to move out.
The flea trap I have been using is a hockey puck shaped light hanging down from its cord over a glass pan filled with Dawn dish soap. I try to remember to change the water every 24 hours.
I have read so many people talk about their success with organic ACV that I started treating my cat with it yesterday. I then sprayed the area around the flea trap (its a rug) with the raw ACV. I had been getting about a dozen fleas in the trap every 24 hours and I just checked the trap after the ACV spray and there are 0 fleas. I think that may mean that the fleas around the trap were killed by the ACV. Is that correct?
Does the light at the wall have to be bright or hot to draw the fleas?
I know this is probably a stupid question but do you have any idea how far from the light will the fleas travel? I mean will they travel from the center of the room to the light on the wall?
I didn't think that the trap would eventually get them all, but maybe with the help of the ACV, I am wrong in my belief. Do you continue the use of the traps after your whole house DE, borax or salt treatment?
Patricia, just an afterthought - after you have sprinkled salt over carpet, leave overnight. Keep animals out of area, vaccuum in morning and make sure you empty vaccuum straight away as salt has a little moisture in it. I think my mum swept it out if I remember rightly.
Patricia I suggested salt, when I was a kid my mother used this and it seemed to work and its cheap, now flea bombs if you dont make a habit of it works real good but you need to leave with your animals for a whole day, I have had cats in the past I have used it probably half a dozen times over the years no bad outcome, but don't forget fleas are not good for health either, I used a bomb when we had cockys in car and they never came back again
Posted by Patricia (Downsville, New York) on 07/22/2016 42 posts
Theresa,
You may have hit on the reason why the Cedarcide seems to have worked this time. I cooked squash in baking soda water and mashed it and have been giving it to my cat for about three days. Also have been giving her ACV and honey.
It could be the baking soda, squash and ACV and honey not the Cedarcide working against the fleas.
I am going to give the borax treatment one more try.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I used Diatomaceous Earth/DE. I have not used salt or borax for fleas; I cannot imagine the amount of salt needed to dehydrate a flea, and the borax needs to be eaten to kill the flea -so not my first choice in eliminating fleas from the home. My first choice is the lamp flea trap. I posted this on another thread and reposted here about using DE:
20 years ago I had many cats who went in and out - and in the fall fleas jumped on my many cats and hitched a ride indoors to wait out the winter - not fun! And since my cats lived everywhere in the house, everywhere needed to be treated - this is what I did.
I used food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - it is light and cheap and 10 pounds will last you decades. I started with my bed room - I stripped the bed, and dusted the room wearing a face mask. I worked the DE into the crevices of the mattress, under the mattress, into the floor boards, against the wall where the wooden molding edges the floor - everywhere; the room was one billowing cloud of dust when I left and closed the door. I let it sit for 24 hours, and in the mean time I used another bedroom to sleep in. Once I had established a 'ground zero' I stood the mattress up and gently beat off the excess DE and again the room was a dust bowl. I gave it a few hours and let the dust settle and then gently swept up the excess, leaving plenty behind in the cracks and crevices in both the mattress and the floor boards. The floor was still very dusty - you could feel it on your feet if you walked bear foot. I then laundered the bedding and dried it thoroughly and back on the bed; no cats were allowed to sleep on the bed during this process, as to avoid re-infesting the room. I then did the second room and created another 'ground zero' space. Into this now cleared room went freshly flea bathed cats with sanitized liter boxes and all fresh laundered kitty bedding. The cats were not allowed to leave this room until treatment was completed. Then room by room I did the same - I dusted the couch cushions and put them into large plastic bags, dust and all, and let them sit for 24-48 hours. I had to put a bag over the electronics with moving parts to avoid getting DE dust in them as it is very hard on moving parts - in fact I am sure sucking up all the excess DE shortened the life of my vacuum cleaner. I left the DE sit for 24-48 hours - this a time frame I thought was sufficient exposure to any fleas in the area, and in the mean time washed every piece of bedding, every rug, anything the cats could encounter. I had carpeting in one room and I sprinkled the DE on and worked it deep into the carpet fibers with a broom. Again, wear a face mask as you will be working in a billowing cloud of dust that will irritate your sinuses and mucous membranes. After the wait time/exposure time was up I gently swept and brushed off the carpet, taking care to leave plenty behind deep in the carpet fibers and in all floor cracks and crevices; for under the couch and under the couch cushions I didn't even bother to vacuum, I just left it down - in fact anyplace that I could not see, or had to lift up furniture to get under, I just left the DE down. Doing all laundry at the same time is crucial, so I bagged up items until I could process them. A proper flea bath is crucial to the process as well. I used dish soap, starting with the cat in a dry bath tub [clip claws before you start] and started with soapy water and a wash cloth at the nose and worked from the nose outward; once I had the head and behind the ears saturated with the soapy water I then went on to the next cat. When all of the cats' heads were treated I filled the tub and did the bodies, again in the dish soapy water. I then drained the tub and used clear water with a cup of white vinegar to remove all traces of the dish soap and to balance the PH of the skin to avoid drying. You could see the fleas as black specks as the water drained. I followed up by blow drying the cats and flea coming. It was work, I was persistent, and the cats hated it, but I got them clean and clear and into the holding room they went while the rest of the house was treated. I want to say it took me 4 days to get the house treated and before I could release the cats. The basement and attic were not used by the cats so they were not treated. I did not have to treat the house again ever - and 10 years later I still found DE in the floor cracks. I made a point to stop letting the cats out in the late summer and fall until the first frost. I also dusted the cats with DE by putting them in a sack with DE - the head was out but it was snug at the neck so the cat was dusting ala 'shake-n-bake' style. By not letting them out during prime flea-hitch-a-ride-inside time, and by dusting the cats in the fall, plus the initial house debugging, I never had a problem again. I have since moved to a more rural location and have only 2 cats, and experienced fleas in my first year at the new house. I learned about the lamp flea traps and deployed 4-5 of them with great success: I firmly believe the lamp trap is easier to use, far less labor intensive, and just as effective as dosing the entire house in DE - or any other sprinkled substance. I suppose if you used borax or salt, aside from needing enough to penetrate the carpet and fill in the cracks, the process would be the same as I describe above using the DE. Now if I see my cat twitching the hair on her back as if she has the heebie jeebies, I dust the cat ala shake-n-bake style, and turn on the lamp traps.
Posted by Patricia (Downsville, New York) on 07/22/2016 42 posts
The borax didn't work because the flea trap has at least a dozen fleas each day.
She went under the deck today and came back with more fleas. I sprayed her with Cedarcide and combed her tonight and she looks like I might have gotten them.
Are there any bombs that won't leave a residue that my cat will lick off her feet?
Barbara, when you vacuum, put a flea collar inside cleaner in dust compartment or sprinkle a little borax to kill fleas so they dont escape, because they can.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
If the fleas are impervious to the smell of the ACV, you might try a cedar oil spray or other insect repelling essential oils.
Ideas:
Apple Cider Vinegar – The smell of vinegar alone, is enough to repel a mosquito, but apple cider vinegar is more than just a repellent. It is a natural conditioner to the skin and hair. It is also great for adding shine and luster to the coat. A really great way to utilize ACV to repel bugs, is to steep apple cider vinegar in rosemary, lavender, neem leaf, and/or other bug repelling herbs for two weeks, shaking the jar daily. Strain herbs from the ACV and spray onto your dog. Allow to dry and do not rinse! Works great on people too and is safe on and around children as well.
Essential Oils – There are many essential oils that help repel all sorts of bugs and are safe to use in dog sprays! You can substitute these essential oils into your dog's homemade Flea & Tick spray, based off of what you have on hand. PLEASE REMEMBER – dogs should be thought of like babies when it comes to essential oils and the amount to use. Not only do they have sensitive noses but they also have smaller organs than we do. Some of the essential oils you can safely use on dogs for flea and tick prevention are: lavender, lemon, citronella, sage/clary sage, bergamot, cedarwood, lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, geranium, sweet orange, and rosemary.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I have no experience with using baking soda, salt or borax in dry applications, so cannot comment there. I just wanted to agree with your vet - vacuuming daily is key to staying on top of an infestation, as well as daily washing of the bedding. Also, place those lamp traps in the heavy traffic areas and by the kitty beds. Please report back!
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 07/18/2016
What a resistant lot of fleas you have: tea tree eucalyptus or penny royal oil, add to shampoo and bathe once a week, a tea made from lemon, lime, pour one pint boiling water over them, put a lid on leave overnight and spray on animal and let dry. You can add lavender as well if you want. Please report back
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
20 years ago I had many cats who went in and out - and in the fall fleas jumped on my many cats and hitched a ride indoors to wait out the winter - not fun! And since my cats lived everywhere in the house, everywhere needed to be treated - this is what I did.
I used food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - it is light and cheap and 10 pounds will last you decades. I started with my bed room - I stripped the bed, and dusted the room wearing a face mask. I worked - pounded - the DE into the crevices of the mattress, under the mattress, into the floor boards, against the wall where the wooden molding edges the floor - everywhere; the room was one billowing cloud of dust when I left and closed the door. I let it sit for 25 hours, and in the mean time I used another bedroom. Once I had established a 'ground zero' I stood the mattress up and gently beat off the excess DE and again the room was a dust bowl. I gave it a few hours and let the dust settle and then gently swept up the excess, leaving plenty behind in the cracks and crevices in both the mattress and the floor boards. The floor was still very dusty - you could feel it on your feet if you walked bear foot. I then laundered the bedding and dried it thoroughly and back on the bed; no cats were allowed to sleep on the bed during this process, as to avoid re-infesting the room. I then did the second room and created another 'ground zero' space. Into this now cleared room went freshly flea bathed cats with sanitized liter boxes and all fresh laundered kitty bedding. The cats were not allowed to leave this room until treatment was completed. Then room by room I did the same - I dusted the couch cushions and put them into large plastic bags, dust and all, and let them sit for 24-48 hours. I had to put a bag over the electronics to avoid getting DE dust in them as it is very hard on moving parts. I left the DE sit for 24-48 hours, and in the mean time washed every piece of bedding, every rug, anything the cats could encounter. I had carpeting in one room and I sprinkled the DE on and worked it deep into the carpet fibers with a broom. Again, wear a face mask as you will be working in a billowing cloud of dust that will irritate your sinuses and mucous membranes. After the wait time/working time was up I gently swept and brushed off the carpet, taking care to leave plenty behind deep in the carpet fibers and in all floor cracks and crevices; for under the couch I didn't even bother to vacuum, I just left it down - in fact anyplace that I could not see, or had to lift up furniture to get under, I just left the DE down. Doing all laundry at the same time is crucial, so I bagged up items until I could process them. A proper flea bath is crucial to the process as well. I used dish soap, starting with the cat in a dry bath tub [clip claws before you start] and started with soapy water and a wash cloth at the nose and worked from the nose outward; once I had the head and behind the ears saturated with the soapy water I then went on to the next cat. When all of the cats' heads were treated I filled the tub and did the bodies, again in the dish soapy water. I then drained the tub and used clear water with a cup of white vinegar to remove all traces of the dish soap and to balance the PH of the skin to avoid drying. You could see the fleas as black specks as the water drained. I followed up by blow drying the cats and flea coming. It was work, I was persistent, and the cats hated it, but I got them clean and clear and into the holding room they went while the rest of the house was treated. I want to say it took me 4 days to get the house treated and before I could release the cats. The basement and attic were not used by the cats so they were not treated. I did not have to treat the house again ever - and 10 years later I still found DE in the floor cracks. I made a point to stop letting the cats out in the late summer and fall until the first frost. I also dusted the cats with DE by putting them in a sack with DE - the head was out but it was snug at the neck so the cat was dusting ala 'shake-n-bake' style. By not letting them out during prime flea-hitch-a-ride-inside time, and by dusting the cats in the fall, plus the initial house debugging, I never had a problem again. I have since moved to a more rural location and have only 2 cats, and experienced fleas in my first year at the new house. I learned about the lamp flea traps and deployed 4-5 of them with great success: I firmly believe the lamp trap is easier to use, far less labor intensive, and just as effective as dosing the entire house in DE - or any other sprinkled substance. Now if I see my cat twitching the hair on her back as if she has the heebie jeebies, I dust the cat ala shake-n-bake style, and turn on the lamp traps.
Posted by Barbara (Aiken, South Carolina) on 07/18/2016 23 posts
I am in a similar predicament as you. I have a multi cat household and for the first time in fifteen years my kitties and little house are infested. I have no carpets or rugs.
I am using cedar spray on floors and baseboards and organic apple cider vinegar/water spray on cats and white vinegar/water spray on stuffed furniture and floors and baseboards. I too have to get under furniture and in closets. The veterinarian said vacuuming is a major part. He sold me pyrithrine house spray, but after reading the label, there is no way I could use it safely.
Washing cats in pure soap liquid and organic apple cider vinegar. Spraying OACV/water in between.
Just set out one plate and light trap. I only see living fleas on cat bedding.
I have always been hesitant about spot on treatments and I use them, but they stopped working suddenly. Used now they do absolutely nothing.
Going to try the OACV in drinking water.
This is alarming.
How are you using baking soda? Do you use salt and borax in crevices?
Patricia, have you tried salt for fleas? Sprinkle over carpet. Also we have flea bombs here. Not sure if you would have them there. You set them off in house and they fumigate while you out they work great.
You might want to look into garlic pills. it takes about 3 weeks for the pills to permeate all tissue. I know a gentleman who breeds Scottish terriers and that's all he uses. Not one flea on them. Also don't be afraid of garlic for dogs, it does give hemolytic anemia but only in high doses. You'd have to give about 20 garlic cloves to be harmful. It's made by springtime bug off garlic. I just put my Airedale on it a couple weeks ago.
Posted by Patricia (Downsville) on 07/16/2016 42 posts
Yes. Diatomaceous earth, baking soda, cedarcide and still have fleas.
I read the instructions for the borax remedy from a link found on earth clinic. A second link she gave said that boric acid doesn't kill fleas and the larvae.
I am right in the middle of stripping the living room and closets and under all the furniture and leaving the borax over night.
Going to vacuum up tomorrow. the only thing I didn't do was the closet last time. Hope to move the computer table tomorrow too.
Problem is if there is just one flea left on my cat then I lose the fight.
Maybe the diatomaceous earth or baking soda do work because I was never as thorough as what I am doing now.
Also I found out the DE I was using wasn't food grade and I stopped because I didn't want it to get into my cat.
Posted by Terryann (Springfield, Oregon) on 07/16/2016 ★☆☆☆☆
I spray my dog every single time we go outside or go walk and fleas jump right on him even when he is still wet with ACV/water spray. I am beside myself … he has a flea allergy. It is ruining our lives, no exaggeration. I spend most of my time fighting fleas. Please help?
Posted by Patricia (Downsville) on 07/15/2016 42 posts
I purchased a hockey puck size light with a cord attached and hung it from the wall outlet over a glass oven pan with Dawn dish soap. Someone said that the fleas can swim but the addition of soap makes them sink. I am presently sprinkling borax mixed with salt on the rugs and in the cracks of the wooden and vinyl tile floors. I am in the country (woods) and I've tried everything, diatomaceous earth (stopped when I found out it was not food grade - didn't want to have my little one eating it), baking soda, Cedarcide spray for a year now and still have fleas.
HOW DOES one get rid of every stinking flea when they lay sixty eggs a day and then they don't hatch right a way either?
The latest attempt is the borax. Will see what happens. And a new approach to combing: every time I see my little love scratch in an area (she has taken over the window sill over the sink so I have a mug of water handy on the counter and can quickly get the comb back into the water hopefully before a flea can jump and they do) I take the comb out of the Dish soap in water and comb there in that spot. That is my latest combing plan. Seems like it could work.
She would run from the comb so I started this approach and I think now she knows I am trying to stop the constant scratching. She I scratching less.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
You might consider a basic flea trap. Make a trap by using a small desk lamp with a regular watt bulb placed on the floor in the pet area. Put a white rimmed plate or dish under the lamp. Add water that has some dish soap added to it. Turn the lamp on over night and see what you catch. If you are infested you will see many black specks. This type of trap can clear out an infested room if you use it every night.
I just have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer. I have both dogs and cats in my home. They all have fleas and we have been using the flea control stuff from the vet and it isn't working. I find this site and was wondering what's the difference between OACV and ACV? I have a bottle of ACV and I'm wondering if the ACV will work just as well as OACV on my pets to get rid of fleas. Thanks
EC: Hi Crystal,
OACV - organic apple cider vinegar. Most people on this site use organic acv for themselves or their pets if they can find it.
Posted by Christina (Council Bluffs, Ia) on 07/06/2016 ★★★★★
ACV works great for fleas. I tried apple cider vinegar on my 2 boxers and German Shepard and it works wonders. Plus I sprayed my furniture and all carpeted areas - super great!
I have used an equal amount (cup for cup, not by pounds) of baking soda and salt on my floors for years, It worked great when I had dogs, cats and people in the house.
You didn't mention spraying your pets. You must spray them if you want results. Also, you said "vinegar" but it needs to be "Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar" to spray on your pets. The same thing in their water. And Vaccum!
Does the ACV water mixture need to be refrigerated or can it be stored on the counter? I know the bottle of ACV says to refrigerate after opening but is it the same with a diluted form?
You should check with the vet on the amount of Claritin. My little dog who weighs 13 lbs. only needs 1/2 tablet every 24 hours. Check with your veterinarian.
You must be logged in to this post! Please sign in:
Please note that we use cookies necessary for the functioning of our website, cookies that optimize the performance. To learn more about our cookies, how we use them and their benefits, please read our Privacy Policy
