How to Kill Fleas With Dawn dish soap
Fleas are pests that multiply quickly if not treated properly. Most treatments to kill of fleas and their larvae are tremendously pricey. The reality is, we love our pets and we want to keep them, but we could live without the fleas. If you only have fleas on your pet (cat or dog), you can solve the problem in no time with dish detergent.
Step 1: The brand of the dish soap. For dogs and other pets to be bathed safely, you will need Dawn dish detergent. Using Dawn is recommended because it works best for killing the fleas where other brands may not, and it's the safest for your pet.
Step 2: Prepare the bath. Next the only thing you need to do is prepare the warm (not hot!) bath for your pet. Just run enough water, then put him or her in the tub or use a water hose outdoors, if needed.
Step 3: Soak the pet. Use a removable shower head, cup, or a water hose to fully soak the pet in water being cautious not to get in the eyes as it may irritate.
Step 4: Apply dish soap. Lather the pet with plenty of the Dawn dish detergent. You will need to spend several minutes scrubbing him or her, more depending on the severity of the fleas. Be gentle while scrubbing but you will need to scrub well to get to the skin where the fleas will hide. Having a pet brush on hand can be helpful when getting deep in the hair.
Step 5: Rinse the pet when you see dead fleas. When you start to see fleas fall off into the tub, you will need to rinse the pet to get rid of the dead fleas and get to the live ones. Basically, you should rinse and repeat just as you would if you were washing oil out of your own hair.
Step 6: Continue. Scrub until you see no fleas in the tub when you rinse. This can take a few minutes.
Step 7: They run to the head. Keep in mind that fleas will run to the head and face to hide. This means you will probably have to add a tiny drop of detergent and rinse. You can pick them off the face as you see them so you don't get soap and water in the eyes.
Additional Tips:
#1 - Since the fleas will run to the head and face of your pet once you start wetting them, it is best to wet and lather up only the neck first then the rest of your pet. This will create a barrier to prevent the fleas from invading your pet's face and ears.
#2 - If you notice more fleas within a couple of days after bathing, simply repeat the process every couple of days (it shouldn't take any more than this), then use a flea medication to finish them off.
#3 - Put a bowl of half dish soap and half water on the floor over night and the fleas will be attracted to the soap and jump into the bowl. The fleas will be killed instantly!
#4 - It's a good idea to keep a hand towel or paper towel on hand for when the fleas get stuck in the comb. You can wipe them off into the bowl by using a towel.
#5 - It never hurts to use a flea cream after the flea bath to kill off any left over fleas and prevent more from happening.
#6 - It's recommended that you treat your home and yard at the same time that you bath your pet or chances are they will be re-infested.
Fleas are pests that multiply quickly if not treated properly. Most treatments to kill of fleas and their larvae are tremendously pricey. The reality is, we love our pets and we want to keep them, but we could live without the fleas. If you only have fleas on your pet (cat or dog), you can solve the problem in no time with dish detergent.
Step 1: The brand of the dish soap. For dogs and other pets to be bathed safely, you will need Dawn dish detergent. Using Dawn is recommended because it works best for killing the fleas where other brands may not, and it's the safest for your pet.
Step 2: Prepare the bath. Next the only thing you need to do is prepare the warm (not hot!) bath for your pet. Just run enough water, then put him or her in the tub or use a water hose outdoors, if needed.
Step 3: Soak the pet. Use a removable shower head, cup, or a water hose to fully soak the pet in water being cautious not to get in the eyes as it may irritate.
Step 4: Apply dish soap. Lather the pet with plenty of the Dawn dish detergent. You will need to spend several minutes scrubbing him or her, more depending on the severity of the fleas. Be gentle while scrubbing but you will need to scrub well to get to the skin where the fleas will hide. Having a pet brush on hand can be helpful when getting deep in the hair.
Step 5: Rinse the pet when you see dead fleas. When you start to see fleas fall off into the tub, you will need to rinse the pet to get rid of the dead fleas and get to the live ones. Basically, you should rinse and repeat just as you would if you were washing oil out of your own hair.
Step 6: Continue. Scrub until you see no fleas in the tub when you rinse. This can take a few minutes.
Step 7: They run to the head. Keep in mind that fleas will run to the head and face to hide. This means you will probably have to add a tiny drop of detergent and rinse. You can pick them off the face as you see them so you don't get soap and water in the eyes.
Additional Tips:
#1 - Since the fleas will run to the head and face of your pet once you start wetting them, it is best to wet and lather up only the neck first then the rest of your pet. This will create a barrier to prevent the fleas from invading your pet's face and ears.
#2 - If you notice more fleas within a couple of days after bathing, simply repeat the process every couple of days (it shouldn't take any more than this), then use a flea medication to finish them off.
#3 - Put a bowl of half dish soap and half water on the floor over night and the fleas will be attracted to the soap and jump into the bowl. The fleas will be killed instantly!
#4 - It's a good idea to keep a hand towel or paper towel on hand for when the fleas get stuck in the comb. You can wipe them off into the bowl by using a towel.
#5 - It never hurts to use a flea cream after the flea bath to kill off any left over fleas and prevent more from happening.
#6 - It's recommended that you treat your home and yard at the same time that you bath your pet or chances are they will be re-infested.