Does Bleach Kill Fleas? Here’s What We Discovered

Many of us who have pets such as cats or dogs, consider it one of the joys of life. However, a flea infestation can spoil the entire experience and make life a living hell for both you and your pet.

What is even more frustrating is that you could do everything in your power and almost get rid of them only for them to bounce back stronger than before.

Contrary to popular belief, just giving your pet a thorough wash isn’t enough to get rid of the fleas. Even if you do not have pets you can still get a flea infestation as they can just as effectively hitch a ride on your clothes. So, does bleach kill fleas? Let us try to find the answer to just that.

 

Why fleas are difficult to kill?

Before understanding why something as strong as bleach is needed to kill fleas, we need to understand what makes them so persistent when it comes to keeping your home and your pets infested.

The fleas themselves are relatively easy to kill but it is their eggs that are the main headache. They are almost impervious to most chemicals meant for killing critters and bugs.

Since the adults get killed, people wrongly assume that the fleas have been eradicated only for the eggs to hatch again and start the nightmare all over again. The fleas also find the darkest corners of your home to lay their eggs and that is why they often elude most attempts to completely remove them from your home.

 

Does bleach kill fleas?

Bleach most definitely kills fleas. It is also quite effective against their eggs and the other stages of a flea’s lifecycle.

The only issue with using bleach is that you have to ensure that it reaches every crevice and corner in your home where the fleas could lay their eggs.

Another thing to keep in mind is that bleach is quite toxic for pets and small children and can cause health problems for some adults as well. Make sure that the area of your house that has been sprayed down with bleach is kept cordoned off.

 

How to use bleach to kill fleas?

The key here is to be as thorough as possible without endangering yourself or anyone else that might be around. Killing fleas using bleach can be accomplished through the following steps.

• Step 1: Prepare a diluted solution of bleach. You can find out how to do that here.
• Step 2: Wear proper protective gear like gloves, masks, and preferably full sleeves so that you do not get any of the bleach on yourself. Also, ensure proper ventilation.
• Step 3: Use a spray bottle and spray the diluted bleach solution around the house. Pay special attention to any area that is dark or damp. Be as thorough as possible. Even if a few eggs survive, you will have a new infestation on your hands in a few days’ time. Also, make sure to test the bleach solution on a hard-to-see area if you have wooden furniture or flooring and other things that can get discolored by bleach.
• Step 4: As for all the clothing in your house that is infested, wash them in the hot water. As hot as is safe for the clothes. For white fabrics, you can add some bleach as well.
• Step 5: After a few hours, thoroughly wash everything that had bleach sprayed on it. Do not let any pets or children near such places for at least the next 3-5 hours.

There you have it. It does take some work but you can kill fleas with bleach. If it is too much work then you can always take the help of a professional pest control company.