FLEA CURE: A couple readers can vouch for a flea treatment based
on a product we hadn’t even thought of for about 30 years – 20 Mule
Team Borax.
Mary Lou Viglione of St. Marys writes, “My daughter rented a
house in Wellsboro that turned out to be flea infested from
previous tenants. We found this tip on the internet which worked
well to kill and fleas and eggs.”
“Mix 3 parts 20 Mule Team Borax with 1 part table salt. Sprinkle
generously on carpets, furniture or wherever needed. Leave sit at
least an hour and vacuum. The salt will dry out the eggs.
“We also took shallow dishes full of rock salt and hid them
under furniture where children or pets can’t reach. This helps keep
any new fleas from establishing residence.
“You can also make a flea trap from double-sided tape and shine
a light on it (a desk lamp works well). Hope this helps another
family get rid of their unwanted visitors.”
Cat owner Vivian Pollock of Aiken also has testament about this
flea treatment only hers is a slight variation.
Simply take the 20 Mule Team Borax and sprinkle it on your
carpet. Leave for a period of time – a few days so it gets a chance
to get worked into the carpet. Then vacuum.
Vivian tells us she’s used this remedy for 20 years, and can
vouch for its effectiveness.
Our main question for Vivian was, where does one find 20 Mule
Team Borax these days? Apparently, it is readily available in any
supermarket in the laundry detergent aisle.
NOT LADIES: Let’s move on to other bugs – one that’s definitely
not a lady, according to one reader.
Danyelle Green of Bradford writes, “I read the article about
ladybugs the other day. These are not ladybugs. They are a type of
beetle. Personally I call them ‘man bugs’ because they bite you
unlike a lady bug.”
“I have learned that they congregate on the warm sides of homes
and fences. There is a spray that gets rid of them without harming
your pets or anything in and around your home. It is called Bug
Stop. It can be found at Wal-mart. Thought you would like to know
that it is okay to kill them. They are not ‘lady’ bugs at all,”
Danyelle concludes.
