Catch fleas with this simple, yet effective homemade trap
If you’re looking for natural ways to kill fleas, you’ve come to the right place. These small but mighty insects can become a nuisance and potentially spread harmful diseases if not treated properly, so making a DIY flea trap is an effective way to control their population in your home.
This project only uses soap and water, so you won’t have to worry about using dangerous pesticides around young kids or pets. Nor will you have to worry about your budget since it’s a wallet-friendly way to kill fleas in a matter of days.
If you need to learn how to get rid of fleas in your home, this guide is the perfect place to start. Using items you likely have on hand, this project can be done in little time with almost no cost—a DIYer’s dream come true.
You can also set up multiple traps in different rooms if you’ve spotted fleas in various areas of your home. Since fleas tend to come inside through household pets, you may want to first set the trap or traps near spots your dogs or cats spend the most time.
A DIY flea trap can cost next to nothing if you have the tools and materials on hand. If you have to purchase a few items for the trap, you likely won’t have to spend more than $20 total.
This DIY cost is a far cry from flea exterminator costs, which can range from $75 to $400. However, a flea trap is best used for a small problem and not a major infestation, which would require the help of your local pest control specialist.
You need just a handful of things to successfully make and trap pesky fleas, and you probably already have almost all of them. Here’s what you’ll need.
Shallow dish
Dishwashing liquid
Alka-Seltzer (optional)
Towels
Candle, tea light or nightlight (optional)
If you plan to leave multiple traps in different rooms, ensure the rooms are free of pets or children and prep the area by laying towels down where the traps will sit. If you’ll be using an electrical light source to attract fleas, make sure it’s kept a good distance from the trap to ensure the safety of your home.
For this project, you’ll need a dish with a large surface area and short sides, such as a pie plate, a rubber tote lid, or a cookie sheet. This shape keeps fleas from jumping out of the trap and escaping. Once you find a dish, fill it with water.
Put 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap into the water-filled dish and mix it in with a spoon. The addition of dish soap keeps fleas from reaching the surface area of the water and forces them to sink to the bottom. Adding Alka-Seltzer can also make the trap more effective.
Take the soap and water mixture and move it to the area in your home that fleas have frequented. You may also want to lay a towel underneath the dish to keep spills from occurring. Fleas hide in spaces like pet beds, pet bowls, near linens, upholstered furniture, or carpeting.
Since fleas are attracted to light, adding a tea light or nightlight near your trap can help bring them to it while it sits overnight. Since fleas can’t fly, they won’t be able to escape the trap once they’re in it. Flea activity generally increases when the sun goes down and continues until the sun comes up. Leave the trap undisturbed overnight to catch and kill as many fleas as possible.
In the morning, check the trap to see if any fleas have been killed. Whether the trap is empty or full, pour out the soap and water mixture and refill it if needed.
Different pest control methods exist to help mitigate an infestation. Not every technique will work with every pest, which is why speaking with a pest control expert is crucial to taming your problem. Different methods of pest removal include:
Heat treatments
Freezing treatments
Traps
Barriers
Chemical pesticides
Fumigation
Rodenticides
Mechanical devices
Repellants
The cost of pest control is $175 for the average homeowner. However, you could spend as little as $100 or as much as $500 or more, depending on the infestation size, the number of visits you need, and the pest you’re exterminating.
For example, if you need to rid your home of spiders, you’ll likely be spending between $100 and $300. However, if you have a termite problem, you can expect a bill of $230 to $2,500 or more, depending on the infestation size and damage caused.
There are specific methods for pest removal that you can DIY without hiring an expert. If you are preventing pests from making an appearance or clearing out a small infestation of harmless insects, you will likely have success on your own. However, if you’re dealing with pests that eat wood, bedbugs, or other pests that carry a disease risk, like rodents, it’s always worth it to call a pest professional to help you.
Even if you’re not immediately showing signs of pests, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of routine pest control. This should be done yearly, quarterly, bi-monthly, or monthly, depending on your location and if any signs of infestation are already present. For example, if you live by water, you might experience more pests in the spring and summer than someone who lives in a dry climate. Discuss treatment options with your pest professional to determine a suitable schedule for you and your home.
While not every infestation is preventable, there are some actions you can take to minimize the risk of running into these pests in your home. These actions include:
Keeping your home tidy. This includes vacuuming regularly, sanitizing your kitchen, storing food in airtight containers, disposing garbage regularly, and keeping your home clutter-free.
Deep clean at least twice a year. Deep cleaning neglected crevices and corners of your home can help prevent breeding grounds from forming.
Repairing your home when needed. If your home has cracks or holes, you have an open invitation for pests to come in. Remove any standing water and seal any gaps in your floors, walls, and foundation.
Cleaning up your yard. Keep shrubbery and branches well-trimmed and away from your home. Remove fallen leaves and other debris.
Be smart with storage. If you use firewood, store it away from the home (at least 20 feet away if possible) and off of the ground.
