Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Fleas?

The question is; Will alcohol kill fleas? Can it get the job done effectively? We will provide answers to this and tips on using it if it indeed works.

When faced with a flea infestation, the first thing that comes to mind is how to tackle it most effectively. Home remedies are the most popular option, and one of them is rubbing alcohol to fight such pest problems.

This product has been largely successful in a lot of pests.

Can Rubbing Alcohol Kill Fleas?

The answer is a definite yes! However, we’ll also need to ask if it’s safe to use around your home and on your pets.

This second part of the question is where the disadvantages of rubbing alcohol are more pronounced. Although it kills fleas, it isn’t safe to use on pets or spray around.

One thing has to be clear, though. A good number of commercially available flea products contain some percentage of alcohol.

However, those are included in safe amounts that consider the safety of pets, among other things.

Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Fleas on Contact?

Rubbing alcohol does help in getting rid of fleas, though not as thorough. While it kills fleas, it isn’t as effective on their eggs. Therefore, it’s safe to say rubbing alcohol can be used as a temporary measure to keep fleas away.

But there’s a way around this. And this involves using another commonly available ingredient; dish soap. Mixing this to kill off adult fleas and eggs would be best.

An equal part of rubbing alcohol and water is mixed. This rubbing alcohol recipe for controlling fleas can be made even more potent. How?

By adding some dish soap to the mixture. This gives it the strength necessary. This well-mixed solution is emptied into a spray bottle. It is then applied to carpets, couches, and other furniture.

Other additives can be used as well. These include cider vinegar or lemon juice. Such can be added when the alcohol strength is a bit strong.

• Why It’s A Bad Idea to Use Rubbing Alcohol For Killing Fleas

When you grab a flea and drop it in a container holding rubbing alcohol, you should expect one result; the flea is killed. So, why not spray or apply rubbing alcohol on your pets and around your home and furniture to achieve the same result?

Doing that won’t be safe for a lot of reasons.

First, rubbing alcohol is highly flammable and might result in an accident that might put you, your pets, and your house in danger.

Several things might lead to fires that can be fatal. Rubbing alcohol won’t only have adverse reactions on your pet’s skin but will also get absorbed through the skin.

When this happens in considerable amounts, it becomes poisonous. You don’t want to put your pets in harm’s way in a bid to find solutions to their flea problems. Possibly, your pet(s) will lap up some rubbing alcohol if mistakenly left open.

When ingested by pets, there could be even more significant health problems. Signs showing your pet(s) have alcohol poisoning include stumbling, disorientation, diarrhea, vomiting, shaking, and shortness of breath.

This will require the immediate attention of a veterinary doctor.

What Other Options Are Available?

Having determined the explosive nature of rubbing alcohol plus its flammable properties, it doesn’t matter if it kills fleas or not, as it’s unsafe for use at home. Significant risks result when you do use this product for flea extermination.

So, what other options are available for killing fleas?

Several home remedies are inexpensive yet efficient in getting rid of the problem. This section will consider some of them.

SEE: Using Cornstarch For Fleas

• Treating Your Pet

Pets are the hot spot of flea activity.

This is because fleas cling onto their bodies to feed whenever pets roam outdoors, especially within flea-prone areas. Pet fur provides the best cover for these pests to hide.

These, in turn, are introduced indoors and find ample nesting areas on carpets, couches, etc., from where they launch out to feed.

If you’ve noticed this problem, you’ll need immediate action. It would be best if you took your pet to a veterinarian where medications (including oral) or given to get rid of the pests. You can also do this by bathing and combing your pets frequently.

• Treat Your Yard

Fleas always come in from outside.

If you’re faced with a flea problem, these pests are lying around your home, waiting to cling to passersby.

To solve this problem, you’ll need to treat your yard.

The best ways to do this include trimming your lawn and keeping it low. This is because long grasses or lawns left unattended are flea sanctuaries. While getting rid of adult fleas, you’ll also need to remove the eggs laid through this method.

An effective natural way to do this includes the introduction of beneficial nematodes. These are found in local gardening centers. These worm-like creatures will feed on flea eggs and larvae in the soil.

• Using A Steam Cleaner

A steam cleaner will prove helpful during flea infestations.

This is effective on fleas hiding in carpets and upholstered furniture. The steam delivers steady bursts of heat that penetrate fleas’ hiding spots and kill them off.

• Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a very useful flea exterminator.

This flour-like substance pierces the bodies of fleas, thus resulting in death through the loss of body moisture. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is also non-toxic and will be safe to use around pets and kids.

The application is simple. You only need to sprinkle generous amounts of this on carpets, couches, and furniture in addition to outdoor areas where these fleas are. This should be left for about three days for its full impact on fleas.

After this period, thorough vacuuming will be required.

Vacuuming helps clean up dead fleas, plus the used diatomaceous earth. For best results, repeat this treatment weekly. This significantly limits the chances of fleas returning.

• Wash Bedding Every 2 Days

During a flea infestation, you don’t want to take any chances.

As such, washing your bedding and your pet’s bedding every two days is necessary. This significantly disrupts flea activities and makes them unable to catch up or settle down to business.

• Vacuum Daily

Vacuuming your home daily will make your surroundings less suitable for flea activity. Doing this each day effectively reduces the flea population and clears flea eggs, preventing a future infestation.

• Constantly Inspect

It will only take flea eggs between 3 to 4 days to hatch once laid. This can pose a significant problem if ignored.

Therefore, constant inspection is required to carry out the above treatment methods.

We’ve found out that rubbing alcohol does kill fleas. However, the problem lies in the side effects and risks it poses to your home and pets.

In place of rubbing alcohol, we’ve provided other effective remedies and treatments to help you eliminate the problem.