How to Kill Fleas with Salt

Here in Florida, flea problems can reach almost epidemic proportions, especially during the warm summer months. If Fido or Fluffy have been romping around outside, it’s likely they have brought fleas into your home.

Fleas in your house can be a formidable enemy but they can be eradicated. There are many products on the market which will help you rid your house of fleas, but some of them are highly toxic. It is possible to get rid of fleas a more natural way.

Salt is a drying agent. People have been using salt for centuries to dry meats and fish. Salt can be used on fleas in much the same manner. If you dust with salt in the area where you are finding the most fleas, carpeting, furniture, dog or cat bedding, the salt will dry out both the egg and pupa stage of the fleas.

When fleas are in the larvae stage the salt will not be able to penetrate the cocoon and therefore will have no effect. Adult fleas as well are less affected by salt, however it is possible that the crystalline structure of the salt will scratch the exoskeleton of the adult flea, causing it to dehydrate or bleed out.

While salt is a natural flea remedy, it is not the most effective, and you probably don’t want salt spread all over your home. Salt has a corrosive component so if it gets wet and comes into contact with anything that can oxidize, it will cause rust.
A better natural alternative to killing fleas is to use a mixture of Borax and a botanical pesticide such as Exempt from EcoSmart. Using a 50/50 mixture, dust all areas where you find fleas including furniture, under mattresses and cushions, carpeting and pet bedding.

Adult fleas can live 7-10 days and the larvae have a hatching time of 7-10 days. After your first application of dust you will want to repeat the dusting to be sure you get all newly hatched adult fleas. Within 30 days, your home will be flea free.