Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Dishwashing detergent trap
• Part 2 of 3: Trapping fleas
• Part 3 of 3: Protecting your home from fleas

Traps are great for catching and killing fleas in specific areas of your home. Flea traps can be made by yourself using the tools and materials at hand. However, keep in mind that these traps will only kill fleas in a specific area and should be used along with other products to get rid of these parasites completely.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Dishwashing detergent trap

1. 1 Pour water into a large, shallow bowl. The best flea trap is a baking sheet, rubber food container lid, shallow dish, or baking dish. You will need a container with a large surface area and low edges.
   • The shallow dish will catch more fleas as insects can easily jump over the lower edges.
2. 2 Add dish soap. Pour 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) of liquid dish soap into the water. Stir the solution with a spoon or finger to dissolve the soap in the water.
   • Fleas do not drown in clear water as they are not heavy enough to break surface tension.
   • Liquid detergent reduces the surface tension of the water, and when fleas fall into the solution, they sink into it and drown.
3. 3 Place a trap where you spot fleas. A homemade trap does not lure fleas, so it is best to place it where you have already seen these insects. Place the trap on a towel to keep the liquid from spilling onto the floor. Place multiple traps in different rooms as needed. Fleas prefer the following locations:
   • carpets and rugs;
   • areas around the bed;
   • places near windows, doors and food sources;
   • pillows and furniture;
   • places around bowls with food and water for animals;
   • curtains and curtains.
4. 4 Leave the trap overnight. Fleas become active a couple of hours before sunset and remain active until the morning, so it's best to catch them at night. After you set the trap, try not to touch it during the night. Close the door if possible to keep children and pets out of the trap.
5. 5 Empty the solution and refill the trap every morning. Check the trap in the morning. If fleas are caught in it, pour the solution and rinse the plate. After that, pour fresh water into a bowl, add dish soap and trap on a towel the next night.
   • Set the trap until no more fleas are caught.

Part 2 of 3: Trapping fleas

1. 1 Use a lamp to lure fleas. Place a light or table lamp near the trap. In the evening, turn on the lamp and point it at the trap so that it illuminates it. The light and heat will attract fleas, they will jump into the trap and drown in the solution.
   • To attract fleas more, use an incandescent or other heating light source.
   • Secure the lamp securely so that it does not fall into the water. Use a lamp trap in enclosed spaces out of the reach of other people and pets.
2. 2 Cover the lamp with a yellow-green filter. For some reason, fleas prefer yellow and green light. You can increase the effectiveness of the trap by using a yellow-green light bulb or using a yellow-green filter with a regular light bulb.
   • Colored light bulbs can be purchased at your supermarket or hardware store.
   • You can purchase a filter or heat-resistant light bulb paint at an electrical store.
3. 3 Place a candle in the center of the plate. Fleas can also be trapped with a light and heat source such as a candle. Place a candle in a glass or bowl in the center of the trap and light it before going to bed. The light and heat will attract insects, they will fall into the liquid and drown.
   • Place the trap away from walls, curtains, and other flammable objects.
   • Be careful and take the necessary safety precautions when handling burning candles.
   • Close the trap room to prevent children and pets from reaching the burning candle.
4. 4 Place a houseplant near the trap. Fleas are attracted to carbon dioxide - this is one of the signs by which they find a host. Plants give off carbon dioxide at night, so you can place a houseplant near the trap to attract more fleas.
   • Hibernating pupae are especially sensitive to carbon dioxide, so this is a good way to catch young fleas before they can lay eggs.

Part 3 of 3: Protecting your home from fleas

1. 1 Wash and brush your pets. Most often, fleas are brought into the house by pets, so make sure that your pets are clean and well-groomed. Proceed as follows:
   • brush your pet's fur with a special flea comb and pay special attention to the neck and tail;
   • rinse the comb frequently in soapy water to kill combed out fleas;
   • after combing, spray the animal with water from a hose or bathe in a bath;
   • lather the animal's hair with flea shampoo;
   • leave the shampoo on the coat for a few minutes;
   • wash off the shampoo with water;
   • do this regularly in the spring, summer, and fall.
2. 2 Vacuum regularly. Adult fleas, eggs, larvae, and pupae can hide almost anywhere, so you should thoroughly vacuum your home 3-4 times a week to control these parasites. Use a vacuum cleaner that is powerful enough to remove fleas and their eggs from nooks and crannies. For cleaning hard-to-reach places, use special attachments for a vacuum cleaner or brush.
   • Vacuum floors, carpets, baseboards, furniture, window sills and window frames. Pay special attention to areas where pets are often.
   • Immediately after vacuuming, remove the trash bag from the vacuum cleaner, put it in a plastic bag, tie it tightly and discard it in an outdoor trash bin.
3. 3 Wash bedding, curtains, clothing, and rugs. Fleas and their eggs cannot survive in a washer or dryer, so try to wash whatever you can. If the item does not fit in the washing machine, wash it by hand. Set the washer and dryer to the hottest setting. Do the following laundry:
   • blankets;
   • sheets;
   • pillowcases;
   • pillows;
   • shoes;
   • clothes;
   • pet toys;
   • dishes for pets;
   • towels.
4. 4 Consider using insecticides. If you cannot eradicate all fleas and their eggs, the infestation can last for months. For severe infestations, use a pyrethrin-based insecticide to control the insect growth cycle, such as Ultracid or Vectra 3D. Apply insecticide both indoors and outdoors (in the yard).
   • Ask everyone to leave the house. Wear gloves, goggles, long sleeves, and a respirator before using the insecticide. Spray powder or aerosol lightly onto floors, walls, furniture, and other surfaces in your home. Before people re-enter the house, the powder or aerosol must settle. Vacuum all surfaces after 48 hours.
   • Apply powder or spray to shrubs, trees, tall grass and overgrown areas in the garden, and outside window and door frames.