Common brands of Nitenpyram include Capstar® and Bestguard® which can be purchased through a veterinarian, online, and over the counter. The active ingredient, Nitenpyram, is an insecticide that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes and lasts for up to 48 hours.
The best homemade flea killer is a simple apple cider vinegar and water mixture (6:4 ratio). Spray the liquid on the dog's fur. Avoid their ears, nose, eyes, and mouth.
Apple cider vinegar can't kill fleas, but it can help to repel them. Fleas don't like the smell or taste of it, so they're likely to avoid your pet if they have it on their fur.
Yes, as with many other soaps and shampoos, Dawn dish soap will kill fleas on your pet. It works by reducing the surface tension of water, causing fleas to sink and drown. Dish soap also affects fleas by damaging their waxy exoskeletons.
Vinegar. This natural powerhouse also can kill fleas! Mix 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar with 3/4 cup water in a spray bottle for a homemade flea spray.
Thoroughly bathe pets with soap and water, then comb them with a flea comb. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail. Soap will act as a gentle insecticide to kill adult fleas.
If you are looking for a one-time or fast-acting solution to kill adult fleas that are on your dog or cat, Taylor recommends the following steps: Combine 1 quart water, 1 cup white vinegar/apple vinegar and 1 cup baby shampoo or Dawn/other liquid soap.
Fleas have exoskeletons that allow them to float in water, explains Dr. Reeder. “Dawn (and other soaps like it) creates a kind of surfactant, or surface tension, that will compromise the exoskeleton and make adult fleas sink,” he says. So essentially, the soap drowns the fleas.
How long does it take for Dawn to kill fleas? If you give your dog a Dawn dish soap bath to kill fleas, you may notice dead fleas in the soapy water in just a few minutes. Dying fleas will fall off of your pet's body and sink underwater.
A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution may just be your answer. Peroxide is a common insecticide used in gardens and other agricultural sites. Not only does it kill fleas due to its toxic nature, but it can also eradicate other pests from your foliage as well.
Herbal flea spray
This natural remedy for fleas is made from non-toxic products found around your home, making it suitable to use around pets and children. Create a flea spray by mixing 4 liters of vinegar, 2 liters of water, 500 ml of lemon juice and 250 ml of witch hazel in a large spray bottle.
Rubbing alcohol will kill fleas and ticks, but if you're going to use alcohol, make sure to use it correctly. Experts recommend dropping fleas or ticks into a glass or jar filled with rubbing alcohol. "Don't pour alcohol on a tick that's on your dog," Dr. Lofton warns.
Capstar (nitenpyram) is a fast-acting flea treatment tablet for use in dogs and cats that starts killing fleas in only 30 minutes.
Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary will all naturally repel fleas. If your dog doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil into a 300ml-400ml of water and spray directly onto your dog's coat.
Baking Soda. Sprinkle baking soda on affected areas such as furniture and carpets. The powder will penetrate the fibers of the carpets, killing off any fleas hiding there. A hard brush can help push the powder deeper into the fabric or carpet to get rid of all fleas.
The light attracts the fleas, causing them to jump and land in the water. Adult fleas are positively phototactic, meaning they're attracted to sources of light. Adding a few drops of dish soap to the water reduces the surface tension. As a result, the fleas sink and drown.
If you love giving your dog a cuddle in bed or on the couch, launder all bedding and blankets to get rid of fleas and eggs. A normal laundry detergent will be enough to kill any fleas on bedding.
Since adult fleas are only 5% of all the flea stages, use an IGR (insect growth regulator) to treat all flea stages. Keep an insect growth regulator in place in warm climate areas. IGRs break down more quickly outside than inside. Wash pet bedding and accessories.
All soaps and shampoos contain surfactants that help remove dirt and residue from hair, skin, and fur. Your pet's normal shampoo can kill fleas without throwing off the skin's pH balance or stripping its oils. However, the more mild formulation will take longer to work.
Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar is an effective way to ensure that there are no fleas on your hard surfaces. Wash your floors and wipe your countertops and tables with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water, to get rid of fleas [source: Home Remedy Care].
Studies have shown that certain concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can be effective in killing fleas, but these concentrations are generally much higher than what is found in Lysol products. Lysol is not recommended for use on pets, as it can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems and other health problems.
Fleas have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as cedarwood, mint, vinegar, clove oil, citrus, DEET, lemongrass oil, and rosemary oil.
White vinegar.
If fleas have spread throughout your house, you can make a white vinegar solution with equal parts water and vinegar to spray on carpet, baseboards, furniture and under furniture.