Whether you’re an animal owner or not, chances are you have dealt with fleas or known someone who has. Fleas can come into your home through pets, unwanted rodents and even your clothes. One single flea can turn into an infestation in a matter of two weeks. Even if you only see a couple of fleas on your pet, there are more around. Whether you have seen just one flea or have a full-blown infestation, here are a few tips on flea control.
Fleas on Pets
Our furry friends are prone to fleas. The best way to prevent fleas from latching onto your pet is to put them on a preventative at a very young age. When it comes to options, liquid treatments and oral pills are two popular choices among pet owners. If you don’t want to deal with it monthly, there are collars that poison fleas and last for eight months. Your animal’s vet will be able to recommend what is best for your pet.
If your pet already has fleas, you have to get rid of them before you can start one of the preventative treatments. The best way to do that is to start by bathing them with a flea shampoo that can be purchased at your local pet store. After that, brush them and search their coat for fleas. If the problem is bad, you might have to bathe your animal once to twice a week until you don’t see any more fleas. If the shampoo isn’t enough, your vet can give your pet a pill that will kill the fleas. Once the fleas are dead, start your pet on a preventative treatment right away.
Fleas in Your Home
If you see even one flea in your home, take action immediately because they spread fast. A flea control plan is a must when you are a homeowner. First thing, wash all of your sheets and linens and vacuum. If your home has shaggy carpet, vacuum two to three times a week to remove new eggs. Wash all of your pets’ beds and blankets, and if they can’t be washed, look into getting something new to prevent the cycle from continuing. The next step is to spray the house with a flea spray to kill all of the adult fleas.
A lot of people don’t like to spray chemicals to remove common bugs all over their homes. If that’s you, organic flea sprays are available at most pet stores or through local pest company. There are ways to make organic flea collars, flea combs and flea spray at home. You can also make a flea bag that contains cedar chips, lemon peel and lavender buds that will keep fleas away from you and your dog’s bed. After doing all of this, if you still have fleas in your home, call a professional service to flea bomb your home and perform a carpet treatment. Fleas can become big problems, but they don’t have to. Taking the steps to control bugs before they even enter your home will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
