Does Dish Soap Actually Kill Fleas? | LaJaunie's Pest Control

Fleas can quickly turn from a minor inconvenience to a full-blown infestation in your home, leaving your pets and family miserable. Some pet owners swear by dish soap, particularly Dawn dish soap, as a home remedy for getting rid of fleas. But does it actually work?

Let’s explore the truth about using dish soap to tackle your flea problem.

Key Takeaways

Dish soap works by breaking fleas’ protective exoskeletons, making them sink and suffocate in soapy water.
Dish soap only kills adult fleas and does not stop eggs, larvae, or re-infestations from growing.
Using dish soap too often can dry out your pet’s skin and cause irritation or discomfort.
Complete flea control needs extra steps like cleaning, sprays, shampoos, and pest control help.

HOW DISH SOAP WORKS AGAINST FLEAS

Dish soap is known for its ability to cut through grease, but it also has a surprising effect on fleas. When mixed with water, the dish soap lowers the surface tension, creating a soapy water solution that coats the fleas’ exoskeletons and prevents them from escaping.

Here’s what happens:

Breakdown of Exoskeleton: Fleas rely on their hard, waxy exoskeleton to stay buoyant in water. The dish soap compromises this barrier, making it impossible for them to float.
Suffocation: Once coated in the soapy solution, fleas sink and cannot respire properly, leading to suffocation.

This process can be particularly effective on adult fleas, the most visible sign of a flea infestation.

IS DISH SOAP A LONG-TERM SOLUTION?

While using Dawn dish soap to kill fleas can provide immediate relief, it’s not a complete flea treatment. Here’s why:

Flea Life Cycle

Adult fleas represent only a small part of the flea population. Dish soap does not kill flea eggs, larvae, or pupae in cocoons, which means infestations will continue to grow unless addressed.

Short-Term Effectiveness

Dish soap does not prevent fleas from re-infesting your pet or home. Without additional measures to reduce the flea population, you’ll likely see fleas return within days.

Pet’s Skin Sensitivity

Frequent use of dish soap can strip the natural oils from your pet’s coat, potentially causing dryness and irritation to their skin or fur.

HOW TO USE DISH SOAP TO KILL FLEAS

If you’re dealing with a flea problem, here’s how to use dish soap safely and effectively:

Flea Trap with Soapy Water

Fill a shallow dish or tray with soapy water and place it near areas where fleas are active, such as your pet’s bedding or high-traffic areas. Adding a small light nearby can attract fleas to the trap.

Follow-Up Steps

Taking care of the areas where fleas love to hide is just as important as treating your pet. Here’s what you can do to make sure those pests are gone for good:

Vacuum your home thoroughly, focusing on areas where fleas hide, such as carpets, rugs, and furniture.
Wash all pet bedding in hot water to eliminate eggs laid by female fleas that can produce up to 50 eggs a day.

ALTERNATIVES AND ADDITIONAL FLEA TREATMENTS

Dish soap alone isn’t enough to completely eradicate a pet flea infestation. To gain control over the flea life cycle, consider these other flea control methods:

Spot-On Treatments: Products like Frontline or Advantage kill fleas on contact and provide ongoing protection for your pet’s health.
Natural Remedies: Options like baking soda, diatomaceous earth, or essential oils (used cautiously) can help prevent fleas from spreading.
Flea Shampoos: Unlike dish soap, flea shampoos are designed to kill fleas without irritating your cat or dog’s skin.
Flea Combs: Daily use of a flea comb can help remove fleas, flea eggs, and dirt from your pet’s fur.

WHEN TO CALL THE PROFESSIONALS

If you’ve done all you can with home remedies and still have a persistent flea problem, it’s time to call in the experts.

At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we provide comprehensive solutions to eliminate fleas from your home and yard. Our team understands the unique challenges of flea infestations in southern Louisiana and can create a plan tailored to your needs.