When you discover fleas in your home, your first instinct might be to reach for something already in your pantry. Baking soda often comes up as a natural home remedy for everything from cleaning to deodorizing—but will baking soda kill fleas?
Unfortunately, while it may offer some temporary benefits, baking soda alone isn’t enough to eliminate a flea infestation. Understanding why can help you decide when to handle the issue yourself and when to call in a professional.
At Pearson Plumbing, Heating & Pest Control, we’ve helped Rockford-area homeowners control flea infestations for over 50 years. Here’s what you should know about baking soda, how it interacts with fleas, and the best ways to actually solve the problem.
Pearson is here to help Rockford area homeowners with the flea infestations for over 50 years. Here’s what you should know about baking soda, how it interacts with fleas, and the best ways to actually solve the problem.
How Fleas Survive and Spread
Before we can talk about whether baking soda kills fleas, it helps to understand why they’re so difficult to get rid of. Fleas are small, resilient parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They’re incredibly fast breeders—one female can lay up to 50 eggs per day—and their eggs fall off pets and spread throughout your home.
Those eggs hatch into larvae that hide in carpets, cracks in floors, upholstery, and bedding. Because fleas go through multiple life stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult), they can survive for weeks without feeding, making complete elimination challenging. That’s why a single treatment—especially a DIY one—rarely solves the problem.
The Theory Behind Baking Soda and Fleas
Some people believe that baking soda can help control fleas because of its ability to absorb moisture. In theory, it could dry out flea eggs or larvae, making your home less hospitable. Others use baking soda as a natural deodorizer to help reduce the smell left behind by pets, which might indirectly make an area less attractive to pests.
One common DIY suggestion involves sprinkling baking soda on carpets, brushing it in with a broom, and then vacuuming it up after several hours. Some people even combine baking soda with table salt, which also acts as a desiccant (a drying agent).
While this method may remove some fleas and eggs during vacuuming, baking soda doesn’t actually kill fleas. It doesn’t contain insecticidal properties, nor can it penetrate deep enough into carpets or upholstery to reach hidden larvae and pupae.
Why Baking Soda Alone Doesn’t Work
Baking soda might make your home smell fresher, but it’s not a substitute for professional flea extermination. Fleas are resilient and adapt quickly to their environment. Here’s why DIY baking soda treatments fall short:
- It doesn’t break the flea life cycle. Even if you remove some adult fleas or eggs, larvae and pupae will remain hidden and re-emerge later
- Limited reach. Fleas hide deep in carpet fibers, under baseboards, and in pet bedding—places baking soda can’t effectively penetrate
- No residual protection. Once vacuumed away, baking soda offers no long-term defense against re-infestation
- Pet and surface concerns. While baking soda is generally safe, it can irritate pets’ skin or damage delicate surfaces if used excessively
So, while sprinkling baking soda around your home may help reduce odors or slightly lower humidity, it won’t eliminate the infestation. Fleas multiply too quickly for this remedy to make a meaningful difference.
What Actually Works to Kill Fleas
For long-term success, you’ll need a combination of professional pest control and consistent preventive steps:
- Professional Flea Treatment: Licensed pest control technicians use targeted products that eliminate fleas at all life stages—something home remedies can’t achieve.
- Pet Treatments: Consult your veterinarian for flea prevention medication that protects your pets year-round.
- Frequent Cleaning: Vacuuming carpets, washing pet bedding, and cleaning floors helps remove eggs and larvae.
- Environmental Control: Regular pest control treatments and humidity reduction can make your home less attractive to fleas.
At Pearson Plumbing, Heating & Pest Control, we use safe, effective flea control methods designed for long-term protection. Our treatments target adult fleas and stop future generations from hatching, giving you complete peace of mind.
When to Call a Professional Flea Exterminator
If you’ve tried DIY methods like baking soda, essential oils, or over-the-counter sprays and fleas keep coming back, it’s time to call a professional. Fleas can reproduce faster than you can remove them, and what seems like a small problem can turn into an infestation within weeks.
A professional flea exterminator can inspect your home, identify hiding spots, and apply the right treatments to eliminate fleas safely and completely. Professionals also provide follow-up care and prevention tips to ensure fleas don’t return.
At Pearson, our experienced technicians offer:
- Comprehensive inspections to determine the extent of the infestation
- Customized treatment plans using proven, pet-safe products
- Follow-up visits to guarantee long-term results
Year-round protection through our No Problem Club, which includes regular pest control visits and discounts on additional services.
The Bottom Line: Will Baking Soda Kill Fleas?
No—baking soda won’t kill fleas. It might help freshen your carpets or slightly dry out flea eggs, but it’s not a reliable or complete solution. Flea infestations require targeted treatment that addresses all stages of the flea life cycle.
If you’re dealing with a persistent flea problem, don’t waste time on half-measures. Contact Pearson Plumbing, Heating & Pest Control for professional flea extermination in Rockford, IL. With over 50 years of experience, we’ll eliminate your flea problem safely, effectively, and quickly.
Take Back Your Home from Fleas
Stop the scratching and frustration—get professional help today. Call Pearson Plumbing, Heating & Pest Control at (815) 398-8312 or request service online for trusted flea removal and pest control solutions throughout the Rockford area.
