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Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Fleas in the House?

Bottle of apple cider vinegar laying on its side next to a spoon, an apple, and apple slices

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular natural remedies for fleas. The smell of this vinegar is very irritating for these small pests and will keep them away from your home. It can also be sprayed on pets to keep them safe from flea infestations. Keep reading to know whether apple cider vinegar can be used to kill fleas in your house or not.

Can I Spray Apple Cider Vinegar on My Carpet to Kill Fleas?

Apple cider vinegar can’t kill fleas and is used as a repellent to keep them away. The acid in this vinegar is not strong enough to penetrate the eggs and larvae of fleas. Hence, this natural ingredient can’t be used to kill fleas in carpets and rugs. Instead, you can use this spray to lure fleas out of their hiding spots and catch them with a vacuum cleaner.

You will need to spray a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar on your carpets for this purpose. Start by mixing an equal amount of apple cider vinegar and water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it on all the carpets around the house. Allow the mixture to dry before vacuuming the rugs and carpets. This will let you catch all the fleas that are trying to escape the carpets due to the nasty smell of the vinegar.

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Kill Fleas on Furniture?

Wicker outdoor furniture with pillows and cushions

No, it doesn’t. However, you can use this ingredient to repel fleas away from your furniture. Mix equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle to make a diluted solution. Spray it on your furniture and the irritating smell of the vinegar will force fleas away. Don’t forget to spray under the furniture because fleas love to hide in dark and inaccessible places.

How Long Does It Take Apple Cider Vinegar to Kill Fleas?

A variety of hands holding out mechanical alarm clocks to the center of the picture

Apple cider vinegar can’t kill fleas because the acid in this vinegar is not that strong. However, apple cider vinegar can be used to get rid of fleas from your house.

The exact duration of this process is variable because it depends on the severity of the infestation. For instance, if you are using the vinegar solution on a pet, let it dry for about 20 minutes. After that, you can use a flea comb to brush fleas away. Repeat this process regularly (every 2-3 days) until you don’t find any fleas in the comb.

In the case of carpets, you should spray the vinegar solution and vacuum fleas away. Make sure that the carpet is dry while using the vacuum cleaner. Similarly, you can spray the furniture with this solution and wipe fleas away with a duster or cloth. You should wait for the vinegar solution to dry to maximize the efficiency of these procedures.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe for Dogs?

An adult white dog with a white puppy outdoors in green grass

It is completely safe to spray apple cider vinegar on dogs as it won’t cause any skin trouble. However, things can be a little different if your pup ingests this ingredient (especially in large quantities).

Some people suggest that adding a teaspoon of this ingredient to your dog’s meal can help against flea infestations. Unfortunately, that’s not true, and doing so can cause more harm than good. This is because it contains an acid that can damage the sensitive lining of your pup’s digestive system. Similarly, eating too much apple cider vinegar can affect the enamel of your dog’s teeth.

On the other hand, spraying apple cider vinegar on your dog is a safe bet and is a recommended remedy.  It will repel fleas from attacking your pooch. Similarly, you can use this mixture to remove some fleas from your canine friend (in case of an infestation). However, you should keep in mind that apple cider vinegar can’t kill fleas and won’t get rid of the fleas completely. Therefore, you will need other methods and treatments to prevent a re-infestation. 

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