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We are all aware of why people use Vicks products. It relieves congestion, sore throats, and other cold and flu-related illnesses. This product is highly safe and beneficial for humans. What comes to my mind is, does Vicks repel fleas on humans?
Yes, Vicks repels fleas on humans. It also kills fleas and serves as an insect repellent. Vicks contains a significant ingredient that can be used to repel fleas in addition to treating upper respiratory diseases.
However, it is not as efficient at avoiding bites as a commercial flea repellant. Dab a little on your exposed skin areas to keep fleas at bay. Read the complete article to know more.
Contents
- 1 What Is Vicks?
- 2 Does Vicks VapoRub Kill Fleas?
- 3 Do Fleas Like The Smell Of Menthol In Vick’s?
- 4 How Can I Repel Fleas From Humans Other Than With Vicks?
- 4.1 Use bug spray
- 4.2 Herbal flea repellent
- 4.3 Diatomaceous earth (DE)
- 4.4 Repellent plants for fleas
- 4.5 Baking soda
- 4.6 Salt to remove fleas
- 4.7 Set up flea traps
- 4.8 Use boiling water to wash your bedding
- 5 Conclusion
What Is Vicks?
Vicks VapoRub is a mentholated therapeutic ointment that is a component of the Procter & Gamble line of over-the-counter medicines under the Vicks brand. VapoRub can be used on the chest, back, and throat to relieve coughing or on the muscles and joints to treat mild aches and pains. VapoRub users frequently apply it right before bed.
Nasal congestion is not relieved by Vicks, a throat and chest rub that contains camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. However, the strong menthol scent of VapoRub could deceive the brain, so try to breathe normally.
Just dab a little Vicks behind the ears, on the inner elbows, neck, inner wrists, and inner ankles. The menthol in it has a strong scent that will keep fleas away. It will soothe itching from any flea bites that may already be present.
Does Vicks VapoRub Kill Fleas?
Vicks Vapor Rub can kill fleas and eliminate them from the house while protecting people. Vicks VapoRub is among the most commonly used household products in the world. One can be found in any home, and it’s more common if residents have pets and need to keep them all warm and comfortable.
Even so, it’s still a great item to have on hand, even if they don’t. This is because this little lotion keeps your nose warm throughout the winter and prevents virtually any animal—including fleas—from visiting it.
Camphor is a component of Vicks. Pet dogs may become ill even if they merely breathe this poison.While some individuals may think these treatments are excellent for keeping dogs flea-free, they threaten them. Vick’s should not be used on the pet. This is highly dangerous and will make a pet dog or cat very ill.
Do Fleas Like The Smell Of Menthol In Vick’s?
No, the menthol smell in Vick does not attract fleas. This item is known to be a part of numerous flea-repelling products. It is a part of the anti-flea defense that does more than keep fleas away; it also kills them. Understanding how to use menthol-containing products properly is the key.
The product Listerine is one of them. Excellent mouthwash with menthol, though. Even though mouthwash helps eliminate fleas, your dog may experience harm or danger.
Menthol, eucalyptol, and thymol are harmful to dogs and cats yet kill fleas. Spray the toys, blankets, and other items your dogs use before giving them back to them if you use Listerine and these chemicals to eliminate fleas.
How Can I Repel Fleas From Humans Other Than With Vicks?
It is simple to get rid of fleas by contacting a pest control company. However, there are methods to make the elimination possible if that’s what you want to do. Here are the top eight simple home remedies for fleas that will help you permanently resolve flea issues.
Use bug spray
Use bug spray every time you are outside if you are attracting fleas. DEET is highly effective against most bugs, so experts advise applying it. Since fleas prefer to bite most frequently on feet and ankles, use the bug spray there.
If the fleas are outside, they often reside in long grass or beneath big shrubs. You should use bug spray if you intend to stroll through any overgrown woodland regions.
Most people are familiar with and use citronella and citrus oils like limonene as insect repellents. According to studies, citronella helps keep fleas away.
Herbal flea repellent
A herbal flea spray is recommended for quick home treatments to keep the fleas away in humans. This all-natural flea remedy is safe to use around pets, kids, and other household items because it is manufactured from non-toxic ingredients.
- Mix vinegar.
- 1/2 of water.
- 1/4 of lemon juice.
Make witch hazel in a big spray container to make a flea spray.
People should vacuum thoroughly and wash any bedding or cushions that may be contaminated before using the product around the home. Once this is done, use a solid spray to administer the natural flea remedy to the house.
Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Diatoms, an algae fossil, are what make up diatomaceous earth. It is in a fine powder that is non-toxic to animals and humans and is an excellent natural flea cure since it dehydrates fleas.
How to use it to treat a flea problem by applying thin layers of diatomaceous earth over areas that are thought to have high flea activity. After letting the diatomaceous world DE work for two days, vacuum immediately and use the appropriate flea prevention measures.
It is essential to remember Despite being non-toxic, the powder’s composition might make a mess and irritate your eyes and throat.
Repellent plants for fleas
The final natural flea treatment is to use certain plants to deter these biting insects. Fleas hate certain oils, chemicals, and compounds that some plants contain, so they will strive to avoid them.
Numerous plants are effective flea repellents. An excellent using these plants in flower pots and flower beds around your house is a perfect natural home treatment for fleas.
Plants that repel fleas are:
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- garlic
- Penny Royal
- Peppermint
- warm wood
- Chrysanthemums
- Spearmint
- Basil, marigold, lemon balm, and
- Lavender
Baking soda
Vacuuming is one of the best home treatments for flea control if people have trouble knowing how to keep them away from humans. Pulling fleas out of the carpet and furniture fibers aids in flea removal. However, there is a way to make this more successful, and it involves baking soda.
With a firm brush, press baking soda into the fabric of carpets and furniture to make this natural flea cure effective. Then, give the house a good vacuuming, empty the vacuum’s contents into a bag, and put the bag in an outdoor dustbin.
Salt to remove fleas
When combined with vacuuming, salt is an excellent natural flea home cure, similar to baking soda. Adult fleas can be eliminated by using salt as a dehydrating agent.
Take some finely powdered salt and spread it all over the carpets and sofas in each room of the house to treat fleas naturally. After letting the salt sit for a couple of days, thoroughly clean the entire house and put the debris into an outdoor garbage can.
Set up flea traps
The non-toxic traps remove adult fleas. Purchase some flea traps, and place them where you observe the most fleas, such as close to your pet’s bedding. The fleas will be drawn to the traps by the light and warmth they emanate, but a sticky paper inlay will capture them. You can remove and replace the paper insert after it has accumulated excessive fleas.
Flea traps are adequate for tiny infestations but aren’t a viable solution for larger infestations because they don’t destroy flea eggs.
Use boiling water to wash your bedding
Fleas frequently bite at night, suggesting that bedding may be their home. After stripping the bed, wash blankets, sheets, and pillowcases in the hottest setting. This should rapidly resolve the issue because it will kill fleas and flea eggs in your bed.
Conclusion
Humans may like Vicks, but insects do not. Apply a little to your arms, legs, neck, or other exposed skin regions to keep fleas away. Commercial insect repellents work better at avoiding bites, though. A white crystalline chemical called camphor, extracted from the Cinnamomum camphora tree has been used for millennia as a spice, an ingredient in incense, and a medicine.
In addition to its usage for treating upper respiratory infections, Vicks contains a significant component that may be used to repel mosquitoes and even fleas. It also works as an insect repellant and flea killer.
References
Moog F, Plichart GV, Blua JL, Cadiergues MC. Evaluation of a plant-based food supplement to control flea populations in dogs: A prospective double-blind randomized study. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist. 2020 Apr.
(Video) How To Get Rid of Mice With Vicks Vaporub and Baking soda
Miarinjara, A., Bland, D.M., Belthoff, J.R.et al.Poor vector competence of the human flea,Pulex irritans, to transmitYersinia pestis.Parasites Vectors14, 317 (2021).
FAQs
Will Vicks Vapor Rub keep fleas off me? ›
Deter Insects
It is also an insect repellant and kills fleas," says Jose. "This is the major substance in Vicks, aside from Vicks use in upper respiratory infections, that can be used to repel mosquitoes and even fleas."
To protect yourself from fleas: Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
What attracts fleas to human skin? ›Bodily Scents and the Chemical Makeup of the Skin
For example, some people may produce more carbon dioxide than others from their skin reactions, which is a common attractant to various blood-sucking insects and pests, such as fleas.
It is also an insect repellant and kills fleas," says Jose. "This is the major substance in Vicks, aside from Vicks use in upper respiratory infections, that can be used to repel mosquitoes and even fleas."
What does Vicks VapoRub repel? ›Bees, wasps, and other stinging insects love hummingbird feeders and will often chase the hummingbirds away. As it turns out rubbing Vicks Vapor Rub around the feeding flowers effectively repels the bees and wasps away, but doesn't bother the birds because birds don't have a sense of smell, but the wasps and bees do.
How do you not bring fleas home with you? ›- Sweep or vacuum well and often. Vacuum your carpets and rugs as well as cushions on chairs and sofas. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag outside when finished.
- Clean bedding, especially pet bedding, frequently with soap and water.
Natural flea repellents such as citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and geraniol may naturally repel fleas. If your pet doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen repellent into 10-13 fl oz of water and spray directly onto your pet's coat.
What can I spray on my bed to keep fleas off? ›Spray Vinegar and Water Solution Onto Sheets
You can easily make a flea-killing solution at home. Combine equal parts water and vinegar and spray over the fleas. Then, sprinkle salt all over the affected area. This helps keep the area dry, which aids in killing the fleas and larvae.
Check the Skin and Haircoat
The more blood they ingest the lighter in color they may appear. To inspect your dog, turn her onto her back and check the areas that allow fleas to hide best. The armpits and groin are two areas that tend to be warm and protected, making them preferred spots for large flea populations.
Some people are more sensitive to flea bites than others, and it can sometimes appear that the fleas are “picking on” one individual in a household but not others. Children aged younger than 10 are generally more sensitive than older people, as people tend to become desensitized by repeated exposure over time.
What soap kills fleas? ›
Yes, as with many other soaps and shampoos, Dawn dish soap will kill fleas on your pet. It works by reducing the surface tension of water, causing fleas to sink and drown. Dish soap also affects fleas by damaging their waxy exoskeletons.
Does menthol keep fleas away? ›One of its many benefits is being able to repel fleas. The sweet smell of mint attracts humans, but it's overpowering for fleas. Just about any member of the mint family works to keep them away. The herb (not Rosemary Bog or Rosemary Pea) is highly effective at repelling fleas.
What will smother fleas? ›Much like diatomaceous earth, baking soda and salt dehydrate fleas and their eggs. Liberally sprinkle the mixture around your house and use a broom to work it into carpet fibers or under furniture. Leave for a day or two and vacuum thoroughly.
Why do people put Vicks on their feet? ›There's no evidence that putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet will relieve a cold, congestion, or cough. But it might help moisturize your heels and relieve toenail fungus.
Does Vicks VapoRub work as insect repellent? ›have to rub it all over, just apply small dabs on your ankles, wrists, neck, inner elbows, knees and behind your ears. The smell of the menthol in it will repel the insects away. You can also rub it on any mosquito bites you may already have and it will relieve the itching.
When should you not use Vicks Vapor Rub? ›It contains camphor which is toxic if swallowed or absorbed into the body and the manufacturers do in fact warn that VapoRub should not be applied in or near the nostrils and not used on children under 2 years of age.
What happens when you rub Vicks on your feet? ›Using Vicks VapoRub on your feet or other areas of your body has a cooling effect. This is mainly because of the camphor and menthol. The cooling sensation of the vapor rub may be pleasing and temporarily help you feel better. But it doesn't actually reduce body temperature or fevers.
Can fleas survive a washing machine? ›Hot, soapy water in a washing machine: As previously explained, washing flea-infested items in a clothes washing machine is an effective way to kill fleas, thanks to the laundry detergent, along with the heat of the water and the turbulence of the wash cycle.
Can humans carry fleas from one house to another? ›Can humans carry fleas from one home to another? It's rare that a flea will transfer from one body to another. It's more likely that an animal or person will get fleas from areas where animals live and sleep. It's possible that bringing an infested pet bed into a new home could spread fleas to another source.
What is the best homemade flea killer? ›Create a flea spray by mixing 4 liters of vinegar, 2 liters of water, 500 ml of lemon juice and 250 ml of witch hazel in a large spray bottle. Before applying the product around your home, you should vacuum properly, emptying the contents into an outside bin, and wash any bedding/cushions that could be infested.
What lotion do fleas hate? ›
Geranium oil, or rose geranium oil, has long since been used as a natural means of getting fleas to flee.
What to do if fleas are biting you? ›Flea bites typically don't need treatment. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams or ointments and antihistamines can relieve itchy skin and discomfort. However, see your healthcare provider if more severe symptoms develop after a bite (allergic reaction, fever, headache or body aches).
What happens if fleas keep biting you? ›The fleas can cause itchy welts on exposed skin for several weeks or even months. A severe allergic reaction may even lead to secondary infections. If a flea bite is not treated right away, the reaction can become persistent.
Can I spray vinegar on my bed for fleas? ›White vinegar.
If fleas have spread throughout your house, you can make a white vinegar solution with equal parts water and vinegar to spray on carpet, baseboards, furniture and under furniture.
Washing bedding in hot water, vacuuming any area suspected of fleas and treating the pet for fleas are recommended, along with the use of an insect growth regulator.
What homemade spray kills fleas? ›This natural powerhouse also can kill fleas! Mix 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar with 3/4 cup water in a spray bottle for a homemade flea spray. Use the spray on any water safe surfaces you've noticed fleas on. You can also add vinegar to the wash when cleaning color safe pet beds and linens.
Are there any smells that repel fleas? ›Natural flea repellents such as citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and geraniol may naturally repel fleas. If your pet doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen repellent into 10-13 fl oz of water and spray directly onto your pet's coat.
Does menthol deter fleas? ›While peppermint oil may deter fleas and other insects, it's not a guaranteed treatment. Peppermint oil can kill fleas, but using essential oil or a spray made of essential oil does not guarantee you'll be able to get all the fleas.
Does rubbing alcohol repel fleas? ›Alcohol. Rubbing alcohol will kill fleas and ticks, but if you're going to use alcohol, make sure to use it correctly. Experts recommend dropping fleas or ticks into a glass or jar filled with rubbing alcohol.
What gets rid of fleas the best? ›Thoroughly bathe pets with soap and water, then comb them with a flea comb. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail. Soap will act as a gentle insecticide to kill adult fleas.
What essential oil kills fleas instantly? ›
Peppermint oil is one such essential oil that is sometimes recommended for use in pets, specifically for killing fleas.
How do you keep fleas off at night? ›- Wear long pants tucked into socks. ...
- Spray flea repellent onto clothing or skin. ...
- Launder clothing and bedding. ...
- Vacuum upholstered furniture and carpets.
Fleas are most comfortable at temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and they will begin to die if the temperature drops below 46 degrees or rises above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.