Will lime kill fleas? Here is all you need to know about using lime for flea control.
Fleas are known pests that can be quite pesky and feed on blood. Both human and animal blood will readily serve their needs. If you own pets, then you might have had a brush with them before.
They love to hop onto pets when playing outside.
The fur or hairs on pets is likely the reason why fleas find them attractive as it offers ample hiding areas. We are more concerned about home remedies for flea control. There have been claims about lime for exterminating fleas.
Is that true? Just like you, we’re interested in finding answers. Lime can also be used for other pests.
As you read on, your questions about the effect of lime on fleas will be fully answered.
Using Lime For Fleas
The answer to this question is a resounding YES!
Lime does kill fleas and can be used for flea control. However, not every lime will get the job done. Hydrated lime is considered the most effective for flea control.
How Hydrated Lime Kills Fleas
Not only has hydrated lime been found to be an effective flea killer, but it also does a great job at exterminating farm pests. Such pests include aphids, beetles, and squash bugs among others.
Pests that survive this ordeal (lime application) are repelled.
It isn’t enough to affirm the effect of lime on fleas. We’ll also need to provide answers about the “how.” Hydrated lime is a chemical compound with the name calcium hydroxide. It exterminates fleas by dehydrating or drying them out.
All you have to do is target areas or hotspots where these fleas are and apply your lime. Before long, all fleas around or within such areas are killed. You don’t want to miss our section on how to apply lime.
Just hang on to find out further details.
Toxicity
Before you apply any control measure against pests, you’ll need to find out if such products have adverse effects on pets or humans. So, is hydrated lime toxic to pets or humans? It isn’t.
Hydrated lime will cause no health risks to both pets and humans but will do a good job at flea extermination.
However, the constant or continuous use of hydrated lime over the long term may lead to health risks. Thankfully, fleas aren’t a constant threat as they are easily exterminated using hydrated lime.
Therefore, there’s no need for continuous use of this chemical substance once you have the results you seek.
Other Hazards Associated with Lime Use
When using hydrated lime for flea control, it’s necessary to handle it properly as exposure to skin may result in dermatitis or chemical burns on your skin. One of the ways to ensure it doesn’t result in skin burns is to use only when dry.
Your skin shouldn’t be moist or dry as it easily reacts to cause chemical burns.
Other possible health hazards you may face when caution is thrown to the wind are irritation and burns. These conditions result from inhaling lime dust.
The same way it causes burns on moist skin is what happens when it goes into your system. When it does, irritations are expected in the lungs, nose, and throat. Lime is not be ingested by any stretch of the imagination.
Doing so would result in significant health risks that include burns to the mouth, and digestive tract.
This calls for caution when using hydrated lime. Consider wearing a mask when applying hydrated lime.
Also, ensure your pets and kids are indoors when you apply it. This helps keep them safe and away from the fine dust that may be blown by the wind. It’s important not to apply the lime treatment on windy days.
How To Kill Fleas with Lime
To kill fleas effectively, you’ll need to know just how to go about using this product.
There are basic steps you must follow to achieve the desired results. This procedure also helps enhance safety.
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Get Rid of Debris
Fleas thrive in cool areas of your surroundings. These are mostly found beneath debris or leaves left to pile around your yard. The first thing you need to do is have this debris cleared.
Get a rake and pull these leaves and other debris away.
By doing this, you’re allowing direct sunlight to hit the ground. Fleas find such situations highly unfavorable.
However, removing or clearing out debris is only the first step. There are still several procedures or steps to follow such as the next;
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Apply Lime Over Target Areas
Now, you’ll need to sprinkle your lime over the affected areas. These are spots with the most flea presence.
Remember, you’re not only looking for areas with dense flea populations, but also any place around your home they might hang around. You might want to target spots most frequented by your pets.
Lime application or sprinkling isn’t done by hand. Rather, you should get a fertilizer spreader for this task. A fertilizer spreader spreads more evenly. Before you begin, read the application instructions on the lime bag or package. This tells you the volume to use per 1,000 square feet.
Stick with such instruction and only apply as recommended. To get this done properly, you’ll need to move or walk slowly while spreading this product around your yard. Fleas love to hang around lawns.
Therefore, apply this product evenly on your lawn.
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Water the Treated Area
The treated area should be watered with an inch of water each week.
One of the ways to know when to stop is when the white lime powder disappears. By then, both fleas and their larvae are totally decimated. Your dogs are free to roam around your yard and lawn without bringing in fleas.
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A Repeat May Be Necessary
Not every lime treatment is successful. Sometimes, you may notice a resurgence of flea presence after treatment.
This situation could be due to certain areas being left out during the initial treatment. Repeat the treatment process, but this time, ensure every space is covered.
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Cut Your Grasses Short
Unkempt or overgrown lawn grasses are ideal playgrounds for fleas. Therefore, consider cutting these short enough.
Taking this action ensures more sunlight hits the ground while also creating an unfavorable condition for fleas.
Here, we’ve seen that lime kills fleas.
While this is true, this same product is quite hazardous and should be carefully handled. Also included are steps to follow when treating for fleas.