​​Best Flea Carpet Powder

How Does Flea Powder Work?

Many people assume that all the fleas in their house are living on their pet. In fact, the great majority of the flea’s life cycle is spent in the environment. In the case of households, this almost always means your carpets.

Only adult fleas live, feed and breed upon your pet. Meanwhile, flea eggs, larvae and pupae will be developing deep in the fibers of your carpets. Eggs are laid among the host’s fur, but fall to the ground shortly afterward.

Here they remain until they have reached adulthood. Once they emerge, they climb to the top of the carpet fibers and hop aboard the next furry creature that comes past. Therefore, if you have fleas in the home, treating your carpets is a priority.

Flea powder works in different ways, depending on what active ingredient it contains. Some powders use natural ingredients to kill fleas, while others utilize the use of pesticides.

In many cases, flea powder will need to be left in place for a period of time before being vacuumed up. This is to ensure it is able to have the maximum impact upon the flea population.

Let’s take a look at the active ingredients commonly used in flea powders:

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a type of natural silica rock. This rock contains what are known as ‘diatoms’, the fossilized skeletons of plant and marine life. The tiny diatoms are ground up into a very fine powder which appears similar to talcum powder.

Even though diatomaceous earth looks soft to us, at a microscopic level, it is very sharp. It behaves like tiny shards of glass, which scratch away the protective outer layer of fleas.

Once this layer has been compromised, fleas start to lose moisture from within. They quickly dehydrate and die. It can also block their breathing passages, causing rapid suffocation.

A benefit of diatomaceous earth is its lack of odor. Some flea sprays and powders can create an unpleasant smell in the home. This lack of odor also helps its efficacy. Fleas and their larvae have a strong sense of smell, and will tend to avoid anything pungent.

Fleas will not be perturbed by the presence of diatomaceous earth, happily moving through it and suffering the effects shortly afterward.

Furthermore, diatomaceous earth is free from any strong chemicals. This makes it a great option for owners who prefer to avoid using chemicals in the home.

Some studies have shown that fleas are beginning to gain resistance to common pesticides, but they cannot become resistant to the physical damage caused by diatomaceous earth.

This makes diatomaceous earth a solid choice in a flea powder. Just make sure you choose the food grade product

Boric Acid

Boric acid is another common ingredient in flea powder. It is derived from the mineral element boron, which is found naturally throughout the environment.

This acid and its sodium salts are essential nutrients for many plants and organisms. However, it is very toxic to insects such as fleas.

Boric acid is usually manufactured into a white powder or fine crystals. Both formulations are soluble in water, so it is important to treat dry areas only.

This product kills fleas in two ways. First, it has a similar abrasive action to that of diatomaceous earth. Secondly, it has a toxic effect when ingested.

Adult fleas will only consume blood, but flea larvae will eat detritus in the carpet. Once they have consumed boric acid, they will die quickly.

Although boric acid is very effective at killing fleas and larvae, it will not kill flea eggs. This means repeated treatments are necessary to eliminate an infestation.

Pesticides

Many flea powders will employ the use of pesticides to kill fleas. The most widely used type of pesticide is pyrethrin. Pyrethrins encompass many different pesticides, such as permethrin and sumithrin.

Pyrethrins are derived from chrysanthemum flowers. They have been registered for use as commercial pesticides in the US since the 1950s. Due to their impact, they are now used in more than 2000 products.

Pyrethrins act on the nervous system of pests, overstimulating it and causing paralysis and death. They are commonly combined with insect growth regulators, which we will examine next.

Insect Growth Regulators

Insect growth regulators limit the development of juvenile forms of fleas. They do not kill adult fleas. They work by mimicking the action of natural hormones, effectively disrupting the growth cycle. This prevents eggs and larvae from reaching maturity.

Due to the fact that insect growth regulators do not destroy adult fleas, they are designed to be used alongside a treatment that will. Otherwise, adults will continue to breed and in a few weeks, the population will return to pre-treatment levels.

Best Flea Powder for Carpets

Below we take a look at some of our favorite flea powders.

HDP Fleabusters Rx for Fleas

HDP Fleabusters RX for Fleas is a long-standing product which has been on the market for more than 30 years. It uses 64 percent boric acid to quickly kill fleas and their larvae.

The 3-pound tub contains enough product to treat five individual rooms. This quantity is a great value compared to other products which rarely offer this much.

HDP Fleabusters RX for Fleas is suitable for use on carpets, rugs, baseboards and hard floors. You may also apply to soft furnishings if necessary. It is completely safe for use on fabrics due to its neutral pH level.

A major benefit of this flea powder is the lack of odor or risk of staining. Because the powder is so finely milled, you need only use a small amount to reap the effects.

After application, you can safely allow children and any pets back into the treated rooms. This makes the product highly convenient for busy or small households infested with fleas.

Furthermore, HDP Fleabusters RX offers customers a 12-month satisfaction guarantee. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, you can return the product for a full refund.

Pest Peeve 100% Natural Flea and Tick Prevention Powder

This flea powder boasts an all-natural formulation which destroys fleas rapidly. It uses a holistic combination of diatomaceous earth, neem leaf powder and yarrow flower powder.

Pest Peeve powder is a multi-purpose product. It can be used to effectively defend against future flea infestations, as well as eradicate a current flea population.

Suitable for use on carpets and soft furnishings, this flea powder can also safely be used on pets. Simply brush the powder into the skin to kill fleas and soothe bites.

Completely chemical-free, this powder is non-toxic to children and pets.

Simply leave the powder in place overnight, vacuuming it up the next morning.

NaturVet No Flea Carpet Crystals

This flea powder also utilizes boric acid to destroy fleas in the home. Available in a 2-pound tub, these carpet crystals can treat around 1000 square feet of carpet easily. This quantity is more than enough to cover an average-sized home.

Treating your home with this flea powder is incredibly straightforward. Evenly distribute the powder over all your carpets and any soft furnishings, wait five days, and vacuum up.

Just like HDP Fleabusters RX, the NaturVet No Flea Carpet Crystals are non-toxic. Children and pets can safely use the treated rooms once the product has been applied.

Considering that the product should remain in place for five days, being able to use the rooms during this time is a huge benefit.

This flea powder recommends repeated use to kill all the fleas in the home. The directions advise you to allow two to four weeks to eliminate the entire flea population.

NaturVet No Flea Carpet Crystals offer all customers a 12-month guarantee on all purchases. So you can rest assured you will be rid of fleas or your money back.

How to Use Flea Powder on Carpets Effectively

When using flea powder on your carpets, the method will depend on the type of powder you are using. You should always follow the directions closely, especially if the powder contains pesticides.

It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide in a manner other than directed on the label.

However, if you are wondering how you should use a flea powder, we can give you some general advice. Of course, if the directions state otherwise, follow those.

Here is our general guide on how to use flea powder:

1. Start by clearing the rooms that are going to be treated. You want to expose as much of the carpet as you can. Move furniture to the sides of the room, or to another room entirely if possible.
2. Vacuum the entire area well. This is so you can suck up any rogue fleas, eggs and larvae. It will also enhance the effectiveness of treatment by removing dust and debris which could protect fleas beneath.
3. Take your powder and work your way from the doorway, into and across the room. This prevents fleas from escaping out of the doorway of the room you are treating.
4. Shake the powder so that you leave an even and well-distributed layer across the entire carpet.
5. The next step is to work the powder deep into the fibers. Sometimes, the powder is so fine it seems to immediately disappear into the carpet. Regardless, you should take a stiff brush and sweep it roughly across the carpet to ensure the powder reaches the depths of the fibers. This is where the eggs, larvae and pupae will be hiding.
6. At this stage, most flea powders will require you to leave them in the carpet for some time. Usually, it is no longer than 48 hours. You may have to keep children and pets out of the room during this period.
7. Next, the powder will have to be vacuumed out. This often takes a few rounds with the vacuum to make sure it has all been removed. Dead fleas and their undeveloped offspring will also be vacuumed up with the powder.

Flea Powder Risks & Precautions

As with any flea treatment, there are some risks involved in their use. Even natural treatments should be respected and used with care. Just because the label says “natural”, does not give you free reign to use it how you please.

Of course, the nature of the precautions you take will vary – depending on the main ingredient in your chosen flea powder.

Therefore, we will break down the advice per common ingredients below.

Pesticide Flea Sprays

When using pesticides indoors, it is recommended to remove all pets from the areas to be treated. Ensure there are no food bowls, water dishes, bedding or toys in the area. Cover up fish tanks so any dust caught in the air doesn’t contaminate the water.

You may wish to turn off any air conditioning or heating in the room. This will prevent the pesticide from circulating. Keep windows open to ventilate the room if you can.

Pyrethrin pesticides do not pose a high risk of toxicity to humans and other mammals. However, there is the potential for irritation if you get them on your skin. You should always wear gloves and wash your hands after handling pesticide products.

If pyrethrin gets into the eyes it will cause pain and irritation. Rinse the eye immediately with clean, cool water. If there are any lingering effects, you should contact a doctor.

Inhaling pyrethrin is a possibility when using fine powders. This will likely cause coughing and a tight-chested feeling. In some cases, the sufferer may feel sick or vomit.

If dogs consume a large quantity of pyrethrin they will drool, lose coordination and experience tremors. Cats are far more sensitive to pyrethrins than dogs. Extra precautions should be taken if you own cats.

Always ensure you choose the safest indoor flea sprays at your disposal.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is low in toxicity if it is consumed or touches the skin. If you happen to consume boric acid, you will likely experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Any diarrhea and vomit can be blue-green in coloration.

If a large quantity is consumed, a very intense red skin rash often occurs. Skin generally dies after the rash fades. It should be kept away from children who may mistake it for something edible.

Boric acid is not absorbed well by the skin, as long as the skin is unbroken.

Inhaling boric acid usually results in dryness of the mucous passages and throat. In some cases, users have experienced nosebleeds. If infants inhale large amounts, they can suffer convulsions.

Boric acid is not believed to be carcinogenic to humans by the Environmental Protection Agency. Nevertheless, because boric acid presents the greatest risk when consumed, steps should be taken to keep it well away from children.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic. Exposure usually occurs via inhalation, consumption, skin contact or eye contact. It is classified as “Generally Recognized as Safe” by the Food & Drug Administration.

There are many common household products which use diatomaceous earth. Cosmetics and personal care products such as toothpaste and water filters often use it.

Prolonged exposure to the skin can cause dryness and itchiness. If diatomaceous earth gets into the eyes, they should be rinsed well. If diatomaceous is consumed, only a very small amount is absorbed into the body. The remaining quantity is very quickly excreted in urine.

Due to its abrasiveness, diatomaceous earth can cause irritation. If a large quantity is inhaled, this can cause shortness of breath and coughing. If amorphous diatomaceous earth is inhaled, the lungs efficiently and quickly eliminate it. Crystalline diatomaceous earth has the potential to build up in the lungs and lymph nodes over time.

In some pest products, small amounts of crystalline diatomaceous earth may be used.

Summary

Once fleas have taken up residence in your home, it can feel like a mammoth task to get rid of them. These pesky parasites are skilled at hiding themselves away in your floors and furnishings. Once you have one flea, it will not be long before there are hundreds, if not thousands, hopping about your home. Therefore, it is important to tackle an infestation at its source.

There are many different home flea treatments available for getting rid of fleas within a carpet. In our opinion, flea powders specifically designed for carpets can be a very convenient and effective choice. Flea powders rarely produce any odor, and treated areas are often safe for use immediately after application.

As with any pest product, it is important you follow the directions provided very carefully. So long as you use flea powders as instructed, you can look forward to a flea-free home in no time.