Need a Wetting Agent

[ArtShapiro]

Perhaps a bit of an odd request. I need to frequently flea-comb my cats, as the Advantage product seems to be gradually losing effectiveness in recent years. If I pull off a flea, I like to drop it into a bowl of water; they're somewhat hard to crush without sometimes making a fast getaway.

Fleas are so light that they tend to stay on top of the water unless one agitates the bowl.

So a drop or two of a wetting agent might make things convenient by reducing the surface tension of the water. Is there a readily-available product that is essentially a wetting agent? Many years ago I would use the Amway cleaning product "L.O.C.", which aside from being a decent soap (detergent?) had a spectacularly-effective wetting agent. But one doesn't see Amway around much these days.

Anyone?

Art

 

[lxskllr]

Dish detergent. That's what it's made for. Otherwise, oil might work to trap them.

 

[Mark R]

Dish detergent is OK, but typically it is an alkaline anionic surfactant. You may prefer something milder such as a non-ionic surfactant as used in dishwasher rinse agent.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

So you're looking for something that will break the surface tension of water so the fleas don't just jump out of the water?

Soap.

 

[DrPizza]

Rubbing alcohol. Use a little cup of rubbing alcohol and a q-tip. If you see the flea, dab it with the rubbing alcohol, which will stop it in its tracks before it can jump; then dip the q-tip into the rubbing alcohol where the flea will come off the q-tip, leaving you ready to dab another one.

 

[ArtShapiro]

Dish detergent is OK, but typically it is an alkaline anionic surfactant. You may prefer something milder such as a non-ionic surfactant as used in dishwasher rinse agent.

I don't care about its pH level, as the solution isn't going on the cat or anything else (unless I accidentally tip over the bowl.) Just trying to get the fleas to sink down and drown before they can jump away.

Are dishwasher rinse agents merely surfactants in drag???

Thanks for the various responses so far - I'm appreciative.

Art

 

[Mark R]

Dishwasher rinse agents are non-ionic surfactants (typically alcohol polyalkoxylates) - almost pure, just some perfume and preservatives added.

They are ideal when you want a neutral pH, low foam, low toxicity surfactant.

 

[mrblotto]

Oh, I thought you meant a wetting agent