Managing a flea infestation can seem like a chore, especially if you have to juggle pets, home, and garden. Fortunately, you can eliminate and prevent it without necessarily resorting to a professional. The key is to use various pesticides and preventive methods, but above all to treat the animals and the house regularly. Also, if you have spotted fleas on your pet, be sure to disinfect the inside and outside of your home as well to avoid another invasion.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Get Rid of Fleas from a Pet
Step 1. Get a flea shampoo that contains rosemary, eucalyptus, or citrus oil
They are all natural ingredients, non-irritating and particularly effective in treating fleas. You can buy a product with these substances in the store or ask your vet if they recommend a natural shampoo. Avoid detergents with insecticides, such as pyrethrins, as they can cause skin irritation to you and your four-legged friend.
Ask your vet for advice before buying flea shampoo as some products can actually be toxic to pets. For example, those containing cedar or tea tree oil are bad for cats
Step 2. Wash your pet starting from the head and moving towards the lower part of the body
When fleas sense water, they immediately seek shelter in drier, hard-to-reach places. So you should at least moisten, if not clean, your ears, rectum, eye area, and neck before wetting your entire body. To make sure you get rid of all fleas, leave the shampoo on for at least 15 minutes before rinsing.
- As you rinse, part the fur to remove any dead fleas or eggs.
- Read the instructions carefully before starting. Some shampoos require several applications during a single bath.
- How often to use flea shampoo depends on the risk of a new infestation, the breed and age of the animal, and the recommendations of the veterinarian.
Step 3. Apply apple cider vinegar spray if you prefer a natural prevention method
Once you've killed the fleas with shampoo, it's a good idea to take preventative measures to ward off a new invasion. If you want to avoid using products containing potentially irritating chemicals, apple cider vinegar acts as a repellent due to its strong, unpleasant smell. Just mix it with equal parts water in a spray bottle, then spray the mixture onto your pet avoiding the eyes, nose and ears.
You can spray this solution whenever you notice any fleas on your dog's coat or before taking him for a walk
Step 4. Try using lemon juice when brushing your furry friend if you want another natural prevention method
If you don't like the smell of vinegar you can deter fleas from infesting your pet by using lemon juice because they hate the smell and taste of it, so it will prove to be a great deterrent. Just dip the comb or brush in lemon juice before using it. You can repeat the treatment every day or every time you brush your pet.
Keep in mind that you need to apply lemon juice regularly because it doesn't kill fleas
Step 5. Apply an over-the-counter or prescription product
It could be a flea collar, topical or oral medication. Over-the-counter products may not always be effective, so you may want to buy a vet-prescribed treatment if you have special health needs. Whichever product you choose, be sure to carefully follow the instructions on how to apply.
Collars that contain only an insect growth regulator (IGR) are typically not powerful enough to keep fleas at bay. On the other hand, topical products can cause less irritation and be more effective over time
Method 2 of 3: Remove Fleas in the House
Step 1. Wash all bedding
Collect sheets, pillow cases, rugs and bedspreads. Separate the various loads and put them in the washing machine by selecting hot water. Then, transfer the laundry to the dryer by choosing a high temperature and dry everything. For added safety, you can also repeat the wash.
- Make sure to wash and dry the blankets your furry friend uses as well. Although labels recommend cold washing, you will still need to use hot water to kill fleas and eggs.
- If the blankets are not recoverable or if they are full of dirt, hair, or flea eggs, throw them away and replace them.
Step 2. Vacuum your entire house
While the bedding is in the washing machine, don't waste time and vacuum every room in the house to remove fleas and eggs. Use it on the floor, whether it's carpet, tile or parquet. You should also mount the various nozzles to reach tight corners and spaces.
- Before you start vacuuming, pick up loose items on the floor so they don't get in your way.
- Before you go to another room, take out the vacuum cleaner bag or tank and empty it into the garbage. This will reduce the risk of transporting the eggs or larvae from one room to another in the house.
- The vacuum cleaner also helps lift the carpet fibers, allowing the flea treatment to penetrate deeper.
Step 3. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on contaminated surfaces if you prefer a natural insecticide
Diatomaceous earth is a powder made up of small rock fragments that can quickly dehydrate and kill fleas and larvae when applied to infested surfaces. If you want to use it, scatter it on carpets and floors after vacuuming and washing the bedding. So let it sit for at least 3 days before vacuuming it.
- To make sure you kill all the fleas you should repeat the application once a week for 30 days.
- Use food-grade diatomaceous earth because it contains only natural ingredients.
- You can find it on the Internet or in gardening stores.
Step 4. Try spraying an insecticide all over the house if the problem persists
Choose a product that contains both an insect growth regulator (IGR) to kill eggs, larvae and pupae, and an adulticidal treatment to kill adult fleas. Read and follow the instructions carefully before, during and after application. You will need to move everything from home, including your furry friends, and keep it away for several hours after application or until the insecticide has completely dried.
- The most common insect growth regulators are methoprene and pyriproxyphene. One of the most widely used adulticidal chemicals is permethrin.
- Canister insecticides are usually easier to apply manually because they allow you to treat the most problematic areas.
- Foggers are generally not very effective as they do not allow aiming and do not penetrate deep enough into the floor.
Step 5. Repeat the treatment for several weeks until the fleas have subsided
Even after washing your bedding, vacuuming, and applying pesticides to infested surfaces, you may notice a few fleas in your home as the eggs hatch and give way to adult insects. This is why it is important to continue the treatment for several weeks, vacuum regularly and apply natural pesticides, such as diatomaceous earth.
If you're using an insecticide, you probably won't need to reapply it after the first time. Always follow the instructions on the package and avoid using it more than recommended
Method 3 of 3: Get Rid of Fleas in the Garden
Step 1. Focus on the shaded areas most frequented by your furry friend
Fleas love dark, humid environments and you will most likely find them where your dog has a habit of running, hanging out or resting. You don't have to treat the whole garden. For example, you can avoid the areas most exposed to the sun since these insects do not like dry and sunny places.
To find out if your garden is haunted, try walking with a pair of white socks on your feet. If you see fleas attacked, it is likely that some areas are contaminated
Step 2. Remove any debris that could trap moisture and encourage shade
Consider fallen branches or leaves, piles of cut grass, or any tools and instruments left lying around. If you eliminate what you don't need, fleas will have fewer places to proliferate.
Step 3. Apply an insecticide
Look for a product formulated for outdoor environments, containing both an adulticidal chemical and an insect growth regulator to prevent egg hatching and long-term growth of larvae. It is possible to connect most pesticides for external use to a hose and then spray it on the infested areas. Just apply it on shady areas where your furry friend hangs out or lies down, or on darker areas where a lot of moisture accumulates. Follow the instructions carefully and repeat the application according to your needs.
- You will not be able to use the garden in the days following the application.
- Wait until the rainy season ends to apply the insecticide, as the water can decrease its effectiveness. If in doubt, read the instructions on the package.
Step 4. Call an exterminator if you want professional help
If you have no idea how insecticide is applied in the garden, consult a professional. Before entrusting this assignment to someone, find out about the treatment and the costs.
Step 5. Use cedar shavings on the outside to prevent re-infestation
Fleas loathe the smell of cedar shavings, so they could be an additional defense if cleverly placed in the garden. Try scattering them around shrubs and trees, or scatter them along various paths.
You can buy them on the Internet, at gardening stores, or at a shopping mall
Advice
- If your dog has been in contact with contaminated subjects, warn the owners of other animals of any risk of infestation. If everyone takes the necessary safety measures, it is possible to prevent the ping-pong effect.
- Clean your home regularly to get rid of fleas.
