Which Dawn Dish Soap For Fleas?
Dawn dish soap is a popular and effective flea repellent. The detergent contains emulsifiers, which cut through the waxy cuticle of fleas and kill them. The fleas are then suffocated, leaving their eggs in the soil.
However, using Dawn alone is not enough to completely eliminate fleas, and only works in the short-term. The fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day, and approximately 10% of those will hatch. It is important to note that fleas are not a one-off problem, and they are present all year round.
Fleas can live in carpets, furniture, and even pets. Dawn dish soap is safe for pets and birds. It is also very effective when used to clean carpets. However, if fleas are present in a particularly bad infestation, you may wish to treat the carpets with a flea preventative to speed up the process.
The main purpose of detergents is to kill soft, water-soluble insects. Fleas are the exception because they do not have a hard outer shell, so detergents are a good way to kill them. Fleas float easily because of their high surface tension, and Dawn dish soap reduces the surface tension of the water, causing them to sink.
However, when used on a regular basis, Dawn dish soap may cause dryness and irritation to the skin. If your pet has a history of dry skin or an infection, it is best to avoid using Dawn dish soap on them. Always rinse the soap thoroughly before bathing them.