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.
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.
Miarinjara, A., Bland, D.M., Belthoff, J.R. et al. Poor vector competence of the human flea, Pulex irritans, to transmit Yersinia pestis. Parasites Vectors 14, 317 (2021).