Would Spraying Apple Cider Vinegar Spray In House Help With Flea Infestation
I am a new convert to Apple Cider Vinegar and am desperately trying to get on top of a flea problem my golden retriever Trixie is plagued by, have spent a fortune on chemical sprays etc but am inclined to believe the vets are making a fortune flogging products that no longer work. I have sprayed the dog with 50/50 of ACV but what about the house? If I fill a bottle up and mix with water (?) and spray around the house, is this advisable or is there something else that you can recommend? Thank you.
Mpls., Mn
12/16/2014
Hey Ellie!
The downside to foggers and topical flea sprays when you want to nip a flea infestation in the bud is that the products often fail to eliminate the flea eggs or cocooned adults that are waiting to hatch. Try this simple flea trap to eliminate fleas quickly and cheaply :-)
You will need a small desk lamp; the more lamps you have the more rooms you can treat at the same time. Set the lamp on the floor in the area where your pet sleeps, or anywhere your pet spends time. Under the lamp put a white plate or shallow tray. Into the tray put sudsy dish soap water; the soap is necessary to break the oil barrier on the flea which will enable it to drown. Turn the lamp on at night and then check the tray in the morning for black specks. One lamp trap can quickly eliminate all the adult fleas in the area; keep the lamp trap out each night to catch the adults that are waiting to hatch in the weeks that follow. You may have to use the traps on a constant basis for a few weeks, but no expensive and toxic foggers that fleas can become resistant to.
One other thing that also helps is to wash all the bedding, rugs and doggie coats all at the same time in hot water; while the laundry is in the wash vacuum the floor thoroughly - detail the edges of the carpet where it meets the wall, get under the sofa, under the cushions of the sofa - vacuum any areas or furniture where your pet is allowed.
The vacuuming will address *some* of the eggs and flea larvae in the house, and the trap will address the adults seeking to feed. Keep on top of the vacuuming and washing - the two most essential things you can do - daily if you can, and keep the traps set for each night. This should make short work of your infestation!
One last thing; the addition of baking soda into your girl's drinking water will help alkalize her PH and make her less appetizing to fleas. To start try 1 teaspoon of baking soda into 1 liter of water and have that be her only water. Do this dosage for 7 days, and then drop down to 1/2 teaspoon for 5 days and then 1/4 teaspoon as a maintenance dose - or discontinue if you wish.
Good luck!
