Does Alcohol Kill Fleas? Best Solutions for Fleas

Fleas are tiny but mighty annoying pests. Once they infest your pet and then your home, they become incredibly hard to get rid of. If you've ever found yourself trying anything and everything, you're not alone.

A lot of pet owners turn to using home remedies, including rubbing alcohol. In recent years, such home remedies have been constantly trending as DIY natural flea solutions. But does alcohol kill fleas? Does rubbing alcohol kill fleas? And more importantly, is it safe?

Let’s break it down together.

Understanding Fleas and Their Life Cycle

Before we start to talk about the efficacy of alcohol in killing fleas, let’s talk about fleas and their life cycle. A flea's life cycle is more than just jumping on your pet and making them itch. It consists of four stages, which must all be targeted to get rid of them entirely:

Egg - They are tiny and white and easily spotted in your pet’s fur, near the root of the hair follicle. They get dropped into the environment (like carpets and bedding).
Larva - These worm-like babies hatch after a few days and hide in dark places. They feed on the organic matter before cocooning themselves.
Pupa - The cocoon stage is called pupae. They can stay dormant for weeks, waiting for the right moment to hatch (When they sense warmth and vibration around them.
Adult - The blood-sucking stage that everyone is most familiar with.

So what is the tricky part? Only 5% of the flea population lives on your pet, while the rest are hiding in your home. Any real flea treatment has to tackle all stages, not just the adult fleas you can see.

The Efficacy of Alcohol Against Fleas

Let’s answer the burning question: Does rubbing alcohol kill fleas? In a technical manner, yes, alcohol does kill fleas. The alcohol is so potent that it dissolves their exoskeletons, which basically means that it dries them up. But, even though this sounds pretty efficient and foolproof, there are a few big issues.

Rubbing alcohol will never be a real solution to flea infestations because of these reasons:

First, it doesn't affect eggs, larvae, and pupae, but only the adult fleas. We previously mentioned the importance of why all life stages should be targeted.
Secondly, it has to be sprayed directly on the flea, so it won't affect fleas that are hiding deep in your home, like the carpet or the flooring.
And lastly, it's a short-term solution. Once the alcohol evaporates, it no longer kills fleas.

So, for these reasons, we can rule out alcohol as ineffective for infestations.

Risks of Using Alcohol for Flea Control

You might be thinking - “what's the big deal that alcohol is short-lived? It's more important that it gets the job done.”

In actuality, that's the smallest con on the list of why rubbing alcohol doesn't substitute actual vet-approved flea treatments.

There are more elements that mustn't be ignored since they are much more dangerous:

Toxic effect: Rubbing alcohol is very toxic if it's ingested. Your pet can accidentally ingest it while licking itself and become intoxicated.
Skin absorption: Alcohol can be absorbed dermally, which in smaller pets can lead to poisoning.
Harsh agent: Alcohol is pretty rough on the skin. It can cause skin dryness, irritation, and, in worst cases, chemical burns.
Flammability: Alcohol is very flammable, so it can be a serious fire risk.

According to ASPCA, in 2017, accidental alcohol ingestion was in the top 5 poisonings in pets! The worst thing is that alcohol does not provide pets with long-term protection from fleas.

Safe and Effective Alternatives for Flea Control

Instead of using rubbing alcohol or taking the risky route, there are a lot of science-backed flea eradication and control agents, which are non-toxic and safe for your pet, such as:

Topical treatments: Spot-on solutions are much safer, and come with a bonus - they also repel ticks. These treatments provide protection for up to a month and affect all four stages of the flea's life cycle.
Oral medications: These special pills work on killing fleas from the inside out, and are perfect in multi-pet households. They have two active ingredients: A fast-acting agent and a long-term preventative agent.
Collars: Another popular contender, side by side with topical treatments, is flea collars. They are very long-lasting, up to 8 months, and water-resistant.

Whatever way of protection you choose for your pet, it must go along with environmental control. Yes, seriously - vacuuming daily and regularly washing your pet's bedding is equally as important. Some even use home sprays that repel fleas.

Baking soda is another very popular flea control solution among pet owners. But does baking soda kill fleas on dogs? Find out more here!

GetFurLife's Trusted Flea and Tick Solutions

If you are looking for a natural, safe, and vet-recommended way to protect your pets from pests, you are in the right place. FurLife is an animal lover-based company that has a wide range of natural ingredients-based products, whose goal, aside from protection, is keeping your furry companion happy, healthy, and itch-free.

All of our products are backed up by science and developed alongside veterinarians.

Here’s what we have on the table to protect your pet against fleas and also ticks:

FurLife Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs and Cats: If you are looking for long-term protection with a little style, our collar is the right choice for you. It's made with safe concentrations of essential oils, whose potent smell wards off and protects against pests. It's water-resistant and can be adjusted for the perfect snug fit.
FurLife Flea & Tick Spray: A fast and effective relief after long walks, hikes, and playtimes outside, our spray is a safe product both for pets and home surfaces. It's easy to apply wherever it's needed the most and works in the spot.
FurLife Flea & Tick Pendant for dogs and cats: Perfect for our adventure-driven pets, who spend most of their time outdoors. This is a non-toxic, chemical-free product that offers a whopping 12 months of protection against fleas and ticks. It is ideal for pets with sensitive skin, and it's also water resistant.
FurLife Flea & Tick Shampoo: A shampoo designed to be a gentle cleanser that soothes the skin and coat of your pet, while being tough against pests. It's a perfect contender to become part of your dog's regular bathing routine since its natural, inert base makes it safe to be used as a regular in your flea-fighting hygiene routine.

With FurLife, you don’t have to choose between natural and effective. Have peace of mind and real protection, so that both you and your pet can enjoy life worry-free and itch-free.

To Sum Up

Here’s the bottom line:

Does alcohol kill fleas? Yes, alcohol does kill adult fleas on contact. But it's neither safe nor effective for treating an infestation because it poses significant health risks and can be a fire hazard.

Instead of relying on alcohol as a risky home remedy, use trusted vet-approved treatments that will tackle the fleas from egg to adulthood, and keep your pet protected and happy for a long time.

So, are you ready to protect your pet? Explore FurLifes products today and guarantee the best product for your best friend!