How to Get Rid of Fleas In Your Home

There is an adage that ” a dog is a man’s best Friend” Dogs are faithful little creatures that will stay by your side no matter what but as faithful as our furry friends are there are issues that arise that we must deal with and one of those issues is fleas. I have seen dogs with fleas that scratch so much that it seems like they intended to remove their skin not to mention their hair. But what do we do when fleas show up at our doorsteps because of Rover or Fido and what can we do to rid not only our homes of fleas but also to bring relief to Rover and Fido?

Safe Guard Your Health Against Fleas

Fleas do not only deliver irritating bites and suck the blood of humans and pests but have been known to carry bacteria and transmit disease to humans and animals putting their lives at risk. It is therefore important that if you have a flea issue to deal with it as soon as possible to bring control.

Flea Life Cycle

One of the first steps in flea control is not only taking care of Rover but also having an understanding of fleas and their life cycle, for example, fleas may be living in other parts of your home. Adult fleas lay lots of eggs, these eggs may fall off your pet/pets as they move throughout your home.  The eggs will hatch into tiny larvae, and the larvae in turn can end up in many parts of the home especially because they are so hard to see.  The larvae will soon spin a cocoon, once mature they will emerge as an adult flea and the cycle will continue again. Besides dog bedding where do fleas hide?

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Where Do Fleas Hide

You may probably be wondering where fleas hide indoors and you may be surprised with the answer. Here is where fleas hide.

• Furniture.
• In floor.
• Rugs.
• Carpets.
• Bedding.
• Soft  Upholstery.
• Floor cracks
• Crevices.

Note: It is best to consider calling first a professional company to do the job for you.

How to Control Fleas Indoors

Here are a few steps to put in place for flea control.

• Vacuum the rugs.
• Wash down all tile and ceramic surfaces.
• Look for places where your dog goes or hang out indoors and apply chemical treatments, for example, an IGR or insect growth regular will interfere with the flea growth pattern at the larvae stage or stop the larvae from becoming an adult that will kill it. A Popular product that’s used is Precor, Precor 2625, PT Alpine Flea and Bed Bug Spray,
• Wash all bedding including your dog’s bedding in hot water and dry all bedding in high heat.
• Use a steam cleaner for pet beds including upholstery and carpets.
• If using insecticides use a brand that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator that kills the eggs, larvae, and pupa), such as pyriproxyfen or methoprene.
• If the flea infestation is great then it’s best to get rid of all pet bedding.

Take Care of Rover or Fido

If it seems like Rover or Fido is losing their minds because of the constant biting and scratching then here are some options to bring relief.

• Take your pet to the vet for guidance and proper care.
• Give your dog a flea collar, once placed on your dog these collars offer great protection lasting for months.
• Change your dog’s bedding regularly.
• Use a comb to check their fur, and check places like their tail, neck, down the back of the legs, between the inner thigs, along the shoulder blades, and beneath the belly where the skin is exposed. Ensure that you have a container of soapy water. Any fleas or eggs that are found can be thrown in a container of soapy water that will bring total elimination.
• Give your pet a good bath in luke warm soapy water.
• If your pest has a history of fleas then with a flea comb, comb their hair once a week a check for fleas until you’re satisfied that your pet and home are free of fleas.
• Regularly vacuum floor and carpets.

Where do Fleas Hide Outdoors and how to Bring Control

• Fleas love warm humid places where they wait for their host.
• Fleas live in shrubs, trees, and tall grasses.
• Pet houses.
• Porches.
• Sheds.
• Decks.
• Damp shady areas.
• Floor mats.
• Outdoor crawlspaces.

How to Rid Your Yard of Fleas

• Ensure that tall grasses are kept neatly mowed, fleas love tall grasses to hide from or avoid the sunlight.
• If you’re not using leaf piles and grass clippings as compost dispose of them, fleas love damp shady areas for protection.
• Do not overwater, allow your lawn and garden to dry before another water application because fleas thrive in humid conditions.
• Trim overgrown shrubs and trees, overgrown plants will provide shade for fleas to thrive.
• Control Fleas with chemicals, one such chemical that’s effective against fleas is Bifen LP Insecticides granules, this granule once applied will last up to 90 days however granules should only be applied after you have done some spring cleaning to your yard as we looked at earlier. When applying Bifen LP focus on areas such as shaded areas, flower beds, and ground covers.
• Next, apply Reclaim I/T insecticide concentrate, reclaim will provide a quick knock of fleas and will also repel and kill other outdoor insects. Ensure when spraying that this chemical penetrates the soil including shaded areas and bushes.
• Then do a follow-up treatment after 10-14 days to kill any newly hatched adults.

Conclusion

Getting rid of fleas in the home is not easy especially if the infestation is great it will take some work on your part including making several applications of insecticides over the weeks but with constant work your flea issue will be no more that spells great news for Rover and Fido. Following this guide will ensure that you win the war on fleas if you prefer contact us and let us help you to put a plan in place that will help you to create an environment that is free of fleas.