Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Kill Fleas When They Jump on You
How to Kill Fleas When They Jump on You. Fleas can jump up up to five feet, so if your pets have fleas you may be next. If you find yourself the object of a flea's search for blood, act fast: each female flea can lay up to 400 eggs during her lifetime, so killing her can significantly reduce the future population. But slapping a flea doesn't have...
Fleas can jump up up to five feet, so if your pets have fleas you may be next. If you find yourself the object of a flea's search for blood, act fast: each female flea can lay up to 400 eggs during her lifetime, so killing her can significantly reduce the future population. But slapping a flea doesn't have the same effect as that action on a mosquito: fleas have a tough exoskeleton. To kill them, you also need to be tough.
Things You'll Need
Soap
Warm water
Petroleum jelly (optional)
Be vigilant: look for the flea if you have been a recent victim of one. Fleas can land on you and be gone again in less than a twentieth of a second. Once you spot the flea, be ready to strike.
Pinch the flea between your thumb and index or middle finger.
Squeeze tight and slowly make the motion as if snapping your fingers. This rolls the flea between your finger and thumb and basically shreds the flea's exoskeleton.
Discard the flea's body in a garbage can or wash it down the sink.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water after your kill.
Tips & Warnings
If you're squeamish about snapping fleas, you can also keep a bowl or warm sudsy water near you. Once the flea lands on you, pinch it and dunk it in the water to drown it. You also can dab a glob of petroleum jelly on the flea when it lands.
Fleas carry disease. Always wash your hands after coming into contact with one.
