Using Borax to kill Fleas??

Question

Okay, a friend of mine had been bringing her dog to my house for the past month or so, and apparently the dog has fleas that "nobody knew about" - now i have a mild to moderate flea problem, and trust me I'm not the happiest camper about it!

My mom told me to buy Borax from our local Wal-Mart, and sprinkle on the carpets.

My question is this - First, do I need to move ALL the furniture out of the rooms as I sprinkle the Borax, and Second, is this stuff harmful to my dog and son??

Third, How long does it take to work, and last - How long does this method work??

*Thanks to all who answer*

Answer 1

forget the borax, go to your local gardening store and buy "seven dust" it is for rose bushes but it kills fleas and it is safe, you can sprinkle it all over your house inside and out and you can put it under your couch cushions, mattress, etc...  It really works!!!!  I have a small rescue center with all types of animals and we have dealt with the flea thing when nothing else would work, my grandmother told me about it and it took care of the problem, no smell or any side affects at all!!!  I also have 3 children!!!Good luck!

Answer 2

Here's a university site that does mention using borax.  You would have to get it everywhere.  I'd prefer a nice low-residual pyrethrin-based insecticide.  Fleas aren't healthy, either.  Watch your dog for tapeworms, as the fleas carry them.

Answer 3

I am in the middle of a flea problem myself. It's not only the adult fleas, but the eggs and larvae you need to eliminate to completely cure the problem. I don't know about the Borax, but two vets here said that the only thing we could do was use a fogger bomb in the house. They said the fleas embed in clothes, drapes, and furniture, so I can't imagine sprinkling something like Borax on the rugs being a complete solution. The Borax might kill fleas, but are you willing to cover your whole home in it? We used the fogger bomb, which you have to get all the people and animals out of the house. It was relatively simple. We had the cat bathed in a flea dip, and are using Frontline we purchased from the vet. The flea problem seems to be over. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

I'd by-pass the borax. It can work - but it's a long and hard battle. My grandparents used it to kill fleas and mites in their chicken coop. They would move the chickens out pull out and discard all bedding. Then throw tons of the stuff all over the place. And wait up to 48 hours.

I've been told that it can take as few as 12 hours.... Personally with dog and child runnign around - I'd by-pass it all together. Take the dog and kid out for the day and use a flea bomb. Takes about 4 hours - then an extra 2 to air out the place. Kills all the nasties.  

Answer 5

It is probably best to move out all the furniture to make sure you get the entire carpet.  I dont think it is harmful to your dog or child, I used it when my ferrets had fleas. It didnt harm them and they are more sensitive than dogs and children.  I didnt move all my furniture out because I have too much so I cannot say how effective it will be when you sprikle it on the whole carpet, but im sure it will be better than sprinkling it around everything like I did.  Just make sure you vaccum it up after, I left it on for a full 24hours, but I do not know how long it actually takes to work, nor how long it lasts for.  Hope this helps some.