Baking soda/salt for fleas on carpet

Hi all!  This is my first post!

So, my two cats, Major Tom and Simone have developed fleas.  I don't know how because they are indoor cats.  I've started getting bitten too.  I wanted to use a mixture of baking soda and salt to dry out the eggs/larvae that may be in the carpet.  But everything I've read says that the baking soda/salt needs to stay in the carpet at least overnight and that the cats should be away while this is going on.  The only problem is, my apartment is pretty small and their "room" is the laundry room and it really small and not at all comfortable, but it does have their litter box and food/water. Not to mention they would be hurling themselves at the door and yowling to get out if we kept them in there all night.

My question is, is it okay if they are in the main apartment while we are doing the baking soda treatment?  I've read that baking soda is only toxic in quite large quantities and we would really brush it into the carpet very well.  I just feel so bad for them already, I would hate to keep them locked up too

Thanks!

cheshirekate

Hmmm... what`s going on?   So many people having flea problems lately.   I have not heard about the baking soda treatment so I couldn`t say if it works.   I am kind of skeptical though.   If it is to the point where the fleas are jumping on you then the problem is getting out of hand.   You might need a professional.   At any rate, have you considered that they might be coming in from your neighbor`s apartments?   Even if you treat your place it will only be a matter of time before they move back in.

You could sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth all over the carpet. It might work better than baking soda and, it wouldn't hurt the cats if they got in it. You can actually rub it into the cats' fur too. It needs to be the food grade kind though, and you would probably have to keep the cats out of the room for a few minutes until the dust settles.

Where does one buy diatomaceous earth?

It can usually be purchased from a feed store. That is where I bought it. I'm not sure where you live, but if there is a Tractor Supply store near you, they probably have it too.

By the way, if you are able to find it, again make sure that you get the kind that says food (or feed) grade. The other kind contains chemicals.