How to use Boric Acid powder to kill fleas on carpets

People have been fighting fleas, ants, cockroaches and other pest with boric acid for decades. Boric acid is one of the most effective flea control agents ever developed.  Fleas live off the blood they gain from their hosts, normally animals & pets like cats and dogs but they can also feast on the blood of humans.

Boric acid is a wonderful tool for controlling fleas in homes, especially on carpets where they tend to live and lay their eggs. It is effective in extremely small amounts and retains its potency almost indefinitely provided the deposit remains dry. Boric acid is deadly to fleas, but is low in toxicity to people, pets and other non target animals. It is also odourless and contains no volatile solvents. In humans, boric acid is only slightly more toxic than table salt but care must always be taken when using around pets and children.

Fleas succumb to boric acid when they crawl over treated areas. Boric acid powder kills fleas by acting as a desiccant causing severe dehydration to them and ensuring death. In order to eliminate the fleas it is important to treat all areas by sprinkling the powder over the surfaces.

Where to buy boric acid powder

***How to make an applicator for using boric acid***

Take an old Pringles container or similar which has a detachable plastic lid. It is important to place stick a label on the outside of the container and write clearly that it contains Boric Acid so as there is no chance of it being misused at a later date. Put a few pebbles into the container (these help to prevent the powder caking when it is stored away and also helps when applying). Now fill the container up to about 2/3 full with the boric acid powder. Carefully, using a knitting needle or similar pointed tool pierce the plastic lid of the container 20 or 30 times to form a series of holes through which the boric acid can pass.
Alternatively just buy a shaker as for instance used for castor sugar but make sure that you label it for the boric acid and keep it away from food stuffs and out of reach of children.

***Where to apply the boric acid***

Where the powder is applied is just as important as how it’s applied. Fleas prefer to live in carpets, fabrics, upholstery, bedding etc. All areas can be treated with boric acid powder but care should be taken with coloured fabrics to prevent possible discolouration. If unsure pre-test an inconspicuous area first. Remember to apply under furniture.

NEVER apply boric acid onto countertops or other exposed surfaces, especially those used to prepare food.

***How to apply boric acid to kill fleas***

Before applying boric acid it is advisable to vacuum the carpets, upholstery etc first. Dispose of the vacuum bag into the bin as many of the fleas will been lifted. Remove all loose objects, toys, shoes, etc from the areas to be treated.  For best results, the powder should be applied in a very thin layer barely visible to the naked eye.  To apply a fine layer, shake the container and puff a small quantity of the powder into the target area. Then work the powder into the carpet pile with a soft bristled brush so that it gets down where the fleas tend to live. If applying to upholstery use a hand brush remembering to work the boric acid down into gaps.

After 1 – 2 days vacuum all surfaces treated and vacuum carpets regularly after this as the boric acid will continue to kill both the fleas and their larvae. After a month shampoo carpets.

Where to buy boric acid powder online UK

Using Sodium Bentonite To Seal Your Ponds

What Is Sodium Bentonite And How Does It Work?

Sodium bentonite products are used to seal large ponds, such as man-made fish ponds. The sodium bentonite clay properties are what make the material work so well as a sealant. Sodium bentonite swells to as much as eighteen times its normal size when wet. As it swells, it fills in the holes of a porous material, thus creating a watertight seal.

Sodium bentonite is so effective for this purpose that it has a wide range of uses. Not only do you find people sealing ponds with sodium bentonite clay, but you will also see bentonite clay use for construction waterproofing. Landfills, sewer drains, and similar installations are sealed using bentonite products.

How Does Bentonite Work?

Sodium bentonite is used as a sealant when ponds are leaking. The application can be done through “blanketing” the soil beneath the pond with the product. This has to be done before the pond is filled. The sodium bentonite prevents water loss as the pond ages (and a normal liner can be placed above it.) When applied to a sufficient depth, however, the bentonite itself acts as a sufficiently strong seal to stop leakage through to the soil.

If you have an existing pond that is leaking, you can use the blanket method, provided you drain the pond first. If you cannot drain the pond, the sprinkle method is your best option. Simply sprinkle granular bentonite on the water’s surface. The particles will sink to the bottom where they will saturate the porous places.

Pros and Cons of Sodium Bentonite Clay

Sodium bentonite clay has a number of attract properties as a sealant:

• Its ability to swell and block moisture allows it to seep into the soil at the base of a pond in construction or to patch a pond that is leaking.
• When applied at a thickness of up to 4″, sodium bentonite produces a seal that will withstand use by animals.
• Sodium bentonite is much more affordable than sealing options. (It does, however, have to be applied by a professional.)

One downside to using sodium bentonite clay is that for proper installation, the pond must be drained. If you have fish, this is easier said than done. While you can use the sprinkle method and not drain the pond, this type of application is not fool proof. There is a chance that the clay particles will not reach all of the places in the soil that may be allowing leaks through.

If you want a good pond seal with sodium bentonite, you will need to have a professional apply the materials for the best results. This method is, however, the best way of sealing ponds, when you can afford to do it. Sealing ponds with sodium bentonite clay will create a watertight seal that stands up to years of use.

Where to Buy Sodium Bentonite online UK