Can I use baking soda on carpets for flea control?

Candice Cleaver
by Candice Cleaver

Hey everyone!


I've been dealing with a flea problem lately, and I've heard that using baking soda on carpets can help eliminate these pesky critters.


Have any of you tried using baking soda for flea control? I'm curious to know how well it worked for you.


Also, what would you say is the most effective way to apply baking soda on carpets to combat fleas? Have you tried combining baking soda with other methods or ingredients for better results? Before vacuuming, how long did you typically leave the baking soda on the carpet? And of course, are there any precautions or considerations I should keep in mind when using baking soda for flea control?


Thanks

Baking soda on carpet for fleas

  13 answers
  • I've never had to use it, but mix equal amounts of baking soda and salt and sprinkle it over the carpet. Leave it overnight. Vacuum the carpet and be sure to empty the bag. The salt dehydrates the larvae and eggs.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jun 26, 2023

    I've tried everything when our house was hit with fleas, including baking soda. I spend much more time and money, to no avail, than hiring an exterminator. I would highly advise you to hire a pro. Here's my reasoning: the only thing that will truly rid you of them is to stop the procreation cycle. It is a very short life cycle and the pro used a product that caused sterility in the fleas. For best results, leave the house closed up with no one or no pets for 2 days. Then vacuum the entire house daily, empty the vacuum at least 100 feet from the house. After a week we were all good and no future issues.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 26, 2023

    I would personally use Flea Powder on the carpet and then eventually Vac it up, hopefully taking the blighters with it.

  • Dee Dee on Jun 27, 2023

    I had my carpets cleaned, but that is not enough. You need to put down Amdro 24 hour kill flea granuals, then water the granuals in, and also get your Pet some flea medication. Bathe the pet and use a spray only one time Your Vet can give you an RX for meds. I use Home Depot self Defence on my carpets to make sure I never get fleas.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jul 01, 2023

    Oh dear, this is a pesky problem, been there and did that. We used flea bombs that were effective, but they don't go under furniture, which is a big problem. We also used nearly every homespun and commercial product on the market, lots of time and money. The professional treatment did the job, keep in mind you also have to treat your pets for fleas or the cycle will not stop.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 01, 2023

    Hi Candice, hope this helps. Yes! Baking Soda Can Kill Fleas When Used with Salt.

    Baking soda dehydrates and kills flea larvae and eggs, preventing the outbreak from growing out of control. However, baking soda can't do it alone, and the addition might already be in your home and is safe for kids and pets: table salt.

    Make an equal mixture of salt and baking soda liberally on your carpet or affected area, and leave it overnight to dehydrate the larvae and eggs. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly and then clean your canister or bag carefully so you don't accidentally let the fleas out again.



  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 01, 2023

    Baking soda literally sucks the life out of fleas as well as their larvae, and eggs. It is an all-around flea killer, and it is safe to use because there are no harmful chemicals involved.

    If you add salt to baking soda and sprinkle it all over your carpet, you will enhance the killing power and make the baking soda even more powerful. You do not need a lot of salt to do this but an equal amount to the baking soda is advised.

  • It is quite good at absorbing odors and has been recommended for use as a flea killer by certain online pet sites because it "may" dry out flea eggs and larvae. However, there is absolutely no proof that using baking soda to kill fleas works.

  • Marty Ayers Marty Ayers on Jul 12, 2023

    The only sure cure is time and persistence. Baking soda and Salt or 20 Mule Team Borax ... shake onto the carpet.... everywhere... and let it sit... at least a week.... it needs TIME to dehydrate the flee larvae and eggs... then vacuum it up.... MEANWHILE you need to treat, the pets, the yard, the upholstered furniture, ALL the bedding (the heat of the dryer is the key to the eggs)... literally everything, everywhere in the house and yard... THEN you need to repeat spraying, etc. again in 7 days and again 7 days after that... YOU must break the hatch cycle to have any lasting results...

    Other things that can help:

    -You can bring flea eggs into the house on your shoes... spray them before bringing them in the house

    -Several lawn fertilizer companies make them with pest control additives... feed the lawn kill the pests

    -Spray sofa pillows, etc... stuff you can't wash with a organic flea spray and put them in a large garbage bag... leave for at least several days.. and air dry them well before using.

    -If you can't get the fleas out of the carpet.... bite the bullet and remove all the carpeting and padding and replace with a more washable flooring such as Laminate or Vinyl Plank ... cool in the summer and use throw rugs for softness... that you can put in the washer and dryer... you will be greatly surprised how much this will reduce the fleas.


  • Candice Cleaver Candice Cleaver on Jul 16, 2023

    Thank you for the advice

  • Betsy Betsy on Jul 17, 2023

    Hi Candice: I had that problem, too. Here's what I used with great success: https://www.jandbpetsource.com/product/enforcer-flea-spray-for-carpets-furniture-14oz/. However, I got the gallon size https://www.jandbpetsource.com/product/enforcer-flea-spray-for-homes-gallon/. This kills the fleas and larva. It may take up to 3 weeks to a month to get rid of the fleas. One thing to keep in mind, is when you vacuum, each and every time, either clean out the tank into a plastic bag, or get rid of the paper bag into a plastic bag, an throw it outside in the trash. Otherwise, the fleas will just find their way out and re-infest. If you use baking soda, you will have to put it down each time you vacuum. Read about Enforcer, I think you'll like it.

  • Annie Annie on Jul 20, 2023

    Mixing baking soda and salt may be able to help, but it seems it's not a guarantee!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Aug 10, 2023

    In my experience, it will not get rid of them if you already have them. We had some in our basement a few years ago and they got into the house. We tried everything, spending a few hundred dollars, to no avail. Finally we called an exterminator. They charged $125 and used something that causes sterility. They treated the house, basement, attic, and grass out about 20'. He explained the main issue is their life cycle is so quick that even if you kill them, they have already laid eggs and will hatch again in a few days. So treating the flea and the egg so they can no longer produce is the best way to go.