Nobody wants to live in a home full of fleas. They are built to be tough, and it doesn’t take them long to take over your living space once they’ve entered. In addition to the agony and distress they cause, fleas are known for spreading diseases such as bubonic plague and murine typhus. Fleas can also induce allergic responses in humans and animals, making them a serious health problem for the entire household.
Following are the seven most effective tips to exterminate fleas once they have gotten into your home.
Treat Your Pets
If you have a flea infestation in your home, there is a significant possibility that your pets might be the carrier. These infestations can be seriously unpleasant for your pets since flea bites can result in severe skin problems and serious illnesses.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss flea control for your pets. They will advise you on the best treatment for your specific flea infestation keeping in mind the climate of your location.
On the market, there are several safe and efficient flea remedies available for your cats and dogs. Spot treatments, shampoos, oral sprays, and dips are amongst various possibilities. The most crucial thing is that you or your veterinarian consistently provide these medicines to your pests to prevent further infestations.
Comb Your Pets
Pet owners should use a fine-tooth flea comb on their pets regularly. While combing your pets, you can identify fleas and their eggs or droppings by placing a large sheet of white paper or fabric underneath. Fleas tend to congregate around the neck and tail of the pets; therefore, pay special attention to these regions. Using a comb that is soaked in hot soapy water is highly productive in eliminating fleas.
Vacuum Your Entire House
The most effective remedy to eradicate fleas is to clean all floors, mattresses, and upholstery using a strong vacuum cleaner. Fleas prefer to hide in cracks and other confined locations that are difficult to access. Using a vacuum cleaner will make it easy for you to reach such places. If possible, it is better to use a disposal bag that you can discard without touching the contents.
Wash Your Pet’s Bedding
It is advisable to remove or replace all pet bedding if you have a severe flea infestation in your home. On the other hand, while dealing with light or moderate infestation, washing the pet bedding carefully in hot, soapy water to kill fleas and destroy their eggs and larvae is essential.
You’ll need to wash the pet beddings at least once a week for a whole month or until the infestation is gone. Even after eliminating the infestation, it’s a good habit to wash your pet’s bedding regularly to prevent fleas from coming back.
Use Chemical Treatments
Aerosol sprays are superior to foggers as they can reach places where foggers can’t. To kill adult fleas and their eggs, pupae, and larvae, look for an insecticide that contains both an adulticide and an insect growth regulator.
Any person or pet should avoid touching the spray until it has dried. When using the spray, wear gloves and wait until everyone has left home before spraying.
Clean All Machine-Washable Items
Fleas are tough to exterminate as they are adept at hiding. Cleaning all machine-washable items such as sheets, clothing, and blankets on a hot wash is critical to wipe out lingering fleas. All these bedding entities are regularly used in our homes, and fleas can use them as a shelter.
Clean the Floors & Furniture
Fleas can get into carpets and crevices of tiles and hardwood floors. Clean the floors using a broom and a mop to force the fleas out of their hiding places. Using a carpet cleaning service or a powerful vacuum is also recommended to deep clean the carpets and floors of your home.
Fleas can also be found in home furniture items such as couches, chairs, and beds. For removing fleas, clean the furniture thoroughly using a steam cleaner or other appropriate cleaning equipment.
Conclusion
Treating your entire home and pets collectively is mostly sufficient for tackling and preventing flea infestations. But if you fail to take the necessary steps at the right moment, things can go out of hand pretty quickly.
The most efficient approach to get rid of fleas is hiring a pest control company that can send a qualified professional to diagnose, treat, and monitor the infestation. That way, you can ensure the health and safety of your kids and pets while providing them with a serene living environment at your home.
