Prepper project: How to make a safe and effective homemade flea trap

Fleas are extremely tiny, bloodsucking parasites that are an absolute nightmare to deal with once they have infested your home. They don’t have wings but they have flat bodies and strong legs, which allow them to jump long distances.

Fleas also have armored bodies that make them almost impossible to crush – allowing them to thrive undetected on your carpet or rugs.

People can pick up fleas in the same way as cats or dogs – outside of your house. Even if you don’t have pets, fleas can also infest and feed on mice, rats and other pests, and these critters could carry those pesky blood-suckers into your house.

To prevent a flea infestation, here is a guide on how to build a cheap, easy-to-make flea trap that can effectively remove fleas from your house. (Related: Prepper projects: Make a DIY mosquito trap to protect your family from bites. )

Water and dish soap flea trap

Materials:

• Containers that are shallow, with a wide surface and low sides
• Liquid dish soap
• Water
• Tea light candles or battery-operated LED candles or desk lamps
• Dish towels

Directions:

Step 1. Pour water into a shallow dish.

Ideal containers include cookie sheets, rubber lids or any other containers that won’t act as a barrier for jumping fleas.

Step 2. Add liquid dish soap – at least two tablespoons.

Swish the water around to distribute the soap. Fleas do not weigh enough to break through water’s surface tension and drown. Adding liquid dish soap reduces the surface tension, which helps trap the fleas and causes them to sink and drown.

Step 3. Add your flea attractant (e.g, source of light and heat).

Fleas are attracted to light. The movement in front of light sources helps fleas determine where to jump to find their “meal” or a potential host to feed on. When adult fleas come to investigate the light, they will hop right into the shallow bowl or pan to get closer to the light and drown.

You can use any of the following as your flea attractant:

• Votive candle, tea light candle or a battery-operated LED tea light
• Desk lamp
• Yellow or green light bulb

If you caught any fleas the previous night, dump the soapy water, rinse the dish and refill your trap with fresh water and more liquid dish soap. Lay the traps out again for the next night – and every night thereafter until you stop catching.

Regularly check your dogs and cats for fleas and protect them accordingly.

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Watch the following video to learn How to make a flea trap that actually attracts fleas.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.