I have to de-flea my house. Do I wash all my clothes? Is there something I can spray on them instead?

Question

I want something that isn't harmful to humans and isn't harmful to my wardrobe. Any advice?

Answer 1

Go to a Pool Supply store and buy a bag of diatomacious earth. Sprinkle it all over the carpet in your house. It feels like talc to us but it is like razor blades to fleas. Let it set for five days then vacuum it up. It is non-toxic.

Answer 2

I had the same problem then an elderly lady told me to use iodized table salt and sprinkle all over the house.  I was skeptical but desperate because I have small children.  I tried it.  It works.  Sprinkle it all over and leave down for a few days then vaccuum.  Its amazing!

Answer 3

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY just published a small study about the best way to de-flea your home.  Simply vacuum and vacuum often... It doesn't matter if you vacuum is bag/bagless just vacuum EVERYDAY for at least a month...

I had a terrible flea infestation when we moved into our current house.. It had untreated pets and when the owners moved the fleas took over!  It was so BAD that I could see them juming/biting my chilren!  

So, I got acouple cheapie flea collars and tossed them in my bagless vacuum... I also got some reg. baking soda (12lbs) AND iodized salt (3 lbs) and mixed them together!   Sprinkled liberally on my carpet(s) and let it sit overnight or even acouple days... The baking soda will smother live fleas/larve and the salt will dissolve the eggs!  It also will freshen/deoderize and it total I spent around $7!  

You will also want to vacuum any soft surfaces like furniture- and wash pillows, bedding or anywhere your pet sleeps/rests etc....!  

You can put your clothing if you are worried into the dryer and that will kill any live fleas as well.....

*To check for fleas you can leave a shallow dish with about a inch of water with 2-4 drops of dishsoap into it... Shine a desk lamp on it on the floor... The fleas are attracted to the warm liquid and will jump in and DROWN!  

*Also, give your pets a bath in DAWN dishwashing soap... Just be careful of eyes/ears.   The longer it sits on the pet the better...

There are several chemical approaches as well.... You can bomb/fog your home just make sure you closets are open and you treat all levels of your home including crawlspaces.... The price can range depending on how many foggers you buy... Generally a 6pk is around $25

You can spray the INSIDE/OUTSIDE perimeter of you home with ORTHOMAX HOME DEFENSE which will protect it from all sorts of bugs like cockroaches, silverfish, ants, beetles, fles, spiders etc... IT's also NOT expensive around $10 for a gallon sized bottle with a sprayer...

Good luck

Answer 4

If you have hired a professional, they will use chemcals that will harm nothing.

They will spray the inside of closets, under beds, etc., and there is no need to remove or wash anything