Fleas feed on the blood of mammals and birds. There are many different species and even if some of them can survive thanks to the blood of more than one animal, those that feed on a specific animal are prevalent. One species in particular feeds mainly on human blood, but it is not the only one that can affect humans. Your pet's fleas can also infest you, acting as a vehicle for disease and other parasites.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Contact a Professional to Get Rid of Fleas
Step 1. Watch out for flea collars
Many of these products are not effective and some contain organophosphates which are potentially toxic to animals. The only model with guaranteed and safe operation is the Seresto collar, which you can buy from your vet.
Step 2. Ask your vet about topical treatments
These are drugs that must be applied directly to the animal's skin, in order to eliminate fleas quickly. Many of these treatments, given once a month, must be used year round as a preventative measure. Be aware that not all topical products are effective. It is very important to choose a product whose action has been scientifically tested. If in doubt, ask your vet for advice. Make sure that the chosen product is suitable for your pet (for example for cats and not for dogs). Cats can feel very sick (or even die) if they are treated with flea medications meant for dogs. Frontline products can be lethal to rabbits. Some of the most used flea medications include:
- Permethrin: Many dog products contain permethrin as their sole active ingredient or in combination with other medications to kill fleas most effectively. It is not safe for all animal species and can create health problems in humans and dogs.
- Dinotefuran and Pyriproxyphene (contained in Vectra Felis) are active ingredients used to eliminate fleas in cats. Pay attention: the Vectra 3D is a product for dogs. Contains permethrin, a substance harmful to cats.
- Fipronil and (S) -methoprene (Frontline Combo Spot-On ingredients): These active ingredients kill flea larvae, eggs and adult specimens. They also kill ticks and lice.
- Imidacloprid and pyriproxyphene (ingredients of the Advantage): this combination kills fleas in all life stages. Be careful not to buy Advantix, which is meant for dogs. Contains permethrin, which is harmful to cats.
- Selamectin (commercially available as Stronghold): product to be applied once a month. Eliminate ticks, worms, ear mites and scabies mites.
- Be careful of the chemicals you use. Medicines such as Advantage, made by Bayer, contain neonicotinoids. Scientific studies have shown that these substances have a serious negative impact on the environment, for example by contributing to the disappearance of bees around the world.
Step 3. Consider asking your veterinarian for a prescription for a flea medication to administer to your pet by mouth
Usually, these products act quickly and leave no residue on the pet's fur. They are only available from the vet, who can recommend the best product. Many of these treatments, to be applied once a month, must be used all year round as a preventative measure. Such drugs can include:
- Lufenuron (known as Program): Available in tablets, ampoules or injections. Give this drug together with food once a month. Keep in mind that Program does not eliminate fleas, but sterilizes them, so that they cannot reproduce. If the flea infestation is quite severe, this product is not the most suitable, because you would have to wait for the natural death of the insects. It is best to use it in an already clean environment, so as not to risk that a solitary flea can create a colony.
- Nitenpyram (known as Capstar): This product is available in pills. Give it to your pet as directed by your veterinarian to eliminate adult fleas and their eggs.
- Spinosad (known as Comfortis): Available in chewable tablets, which you should give your pet along with food once a month to kill fleas.
Step 4. Ask your vet or local groomer if they can put your pet in a flea bath
Many animal health professionals offer this service. If your pet is quite small, it is best to leave it in the care of a veterinarian and not a groomer. Only veterinarians have the means at their disposal to treat a flea-infested bird. Keep in mind that after the bath, nothing prevents the parasites from jumping on the fur of the animal again.
Part 2 of 5: Bathe Your Pet to Get Rid of Fleas
Step 1. Use only water
Some species, such as guinea pigs, cannot tolerate many of the commercially available flea treatments. In this case, a simple bathroom might be the best solution. By immersing the animal in warm, not very hot water, you will try to drown the fleas. You won't be able to get rid of insect eggs with this method, so you should comb your pet's coat and repeat the treatment.
- Fleas will flee to the pet's head and face when you start getting it wet, so it's best to start at the neck. This will create a barrier that will prevent insects from invading the animal's ears and snout.
- Use water at room temperature or slightly warmer, so as not to harm your pet and avoid agitating it.
- If your pet is quite small, stop the bathroom as soon as you notice signs of excessive stress. Rabbits and guinea pigs can die from fear-induced heart attacks.
Step 2. Add dish soap to the water to get rid of fleas
While this method can dry out or irritate the pet's skin, it is quite effective in killing fleas. The detergent is toxic to these insects and can be used to keep the infestation under control. Make sure you rinse your pet well at the end of the treatment.
Step 3. Get flea shampoo
These are products specifically designed for the treatment of flea infestations. Find a specific formula for your pet. Make sure you follow the instructions provided in the package insert to the letter, so as not to risk harming your four-legged friend.
Step 4. Rinse well
Always do it. Residues from flea treatments can irritate the pet's skin and cause potential health problems. By taking the time to rinse all the soap, shampoo or herbal product you have used on your pet, you will eliminate fleas more effectively and prevent any residue from causing discomfort.
Part 3 of 5: Using Powdered Products to Keep Fleas Under Control
Step 1. Get powdered insecticide from your vet
There are many such products available, specific to each animal, which use different chemicals in various concentrations. Talk to your vet before using such treatments to make sure they are safe for your pet. They are rarely used and have largely been supplanted by other flea treatments. One of their drawbacks is that they can be inhaled, causing potential health problems for you and the animals. However, they can be useful when you don't have the ability to prepare a flea bath.
Step 2. Use food grade diatomaceous earth
This is a good solution for flea-affected birds. Mix it with the sand and place it in the cage of your birds, who can rub on it. Alternatively, you can apply it by hand to the animal affected by the infestation. Be sure to use a face mask when handling this product. While not harmful to birds, it can cause lung and skin irritation in humans.
Step 3. Make sure the insecticide you have chosen is safe for your pet
Since there are so many powdered products, not all of them are suitable for every species. Some may even kill or injure your four-legged friend. Each species is able to tolerate various commercial products differently, so be sure to ask your veterinarian about the active ingredients in the treatment you want to use.
Part 4 of 5: Combing Your Pet to Get Rid of Fleas
Step 1. Get a flea comb or one with very fine teeth
Fleas cling to pet hair with great force, and eggs can be just as difficult to remove. For this reason, you need to use a fine-toothed comb. There are models designed specifically for this purpose. Make sure that the teeth of the comb you have chosen are the right length for your pet and that they are at an appropriate distance from each other.
Step 2. Keep a bucket full of water handy
This will allow you to drown any fleas that will remain on the comb. It will also serve to wet the animal while you comb it, thus controlling the movements of the parasites. Make sure the water is warm, but not too hot.
Step 3. Always use the comb in the direction of hair growth
Go from roots to tips and from head to tail of the animal. This is especially important if you are using the comb as a flea treatment. These parasites often cling to the hair roots and if you didn't comb the entire length of the fur, you would probably miss some.
Step 4. Take your time
This can be a tedious task, but the time you spend removing fleas will be well spent. This treatment is able to eliminate the flea problem and keep it under control. Don't be in a hurry when you pass the comb or you may have to repeat the treatment, wasting more time.
Step 5. Repeat the treatment after a couple of days
You should comb your pet more than once. In this way, you will have the possibility to check if there are new fleas and to check the health of the animal's skin. Don't just look for signs of parasites, but also look out for signs of irritation or injury from treatment.
Step 6. Be aware that fleas jump on your pet only to feed and live mostly in the environment
It can take a long time to get rid of an infestation with just the use of the comb.
Part 5 of 5: Clean Everything
Step 1. Act quickly
To keep fleas under control and eliminate them, the speed of intervention is very important. Deal with the problem right away. The longer you wait, the worse the infestation will be and the harder it will be to kill the insects. Quick treatment is key to solving your pet's problems.
Step 2. Apply parasite treatment to the environment where your pet lives
Rugs and carpets are the areas of the house with the highest risk of infestation. Look for an eco-friendly borate-based powder that you can apply to carpets to prevent flea infestations. Clean the pet's bed or bed. Apply the treatment in all areas where time passes. If your child is small, clean the cage or case he lives in with warm soapy water, as well as all his toys. Discard materials used to line the cage, such as wood shavings or newspaper.
Step 3. Vacuum or steam clean
Fleas can survive in your home, even away from their food source, so it's important to vacuum frequently following an infestation. Steam cleaning is also an excellent treatment for removing fleas from your home, as it can kill them. Be sure to use both of these cleaning methods, or at least one of them, for the duration of your flea treatment and into the future.
- Maintaining hygiene in the home helps prevent flea infestations. Thanks to these treatments, the insects will not have the time and space to survive and reproduce.
- Throw away the vacuum cleaner bag after cleaning to prevent new infestation.
- Vacuum cleaners can kill fleas just as effectively as chemical treatments.
Step 4. Wash all fabrics
Fleas can hide in blankets, towels, and clothing. Make sure you wash everything with hot water to get rid of the insects and their eggs. Wash your curtains and pillows too, as parasites can infest those fabrics as well. Immerse your pet's bed in warm, soapy water for at least 15 minutes; wash, rinse and air dry, or use a towel. This treatment removes the waxy coating of the fleas, which will dehydrate and die.
Step 5. Do not allow your pet to climb onto the furniture
If he has fleas, you shouldn't allow him to spread them around the house. Remember that these insects can survive for several months in your furniture and will return to your pet as soon as they get the chance. By preventing them from climbing onto furniture, you can keep the spread of the infestation in check.
Step 6. Spray floors and walls with an insect growth regulator (IGR)
These pesticides, such as Nylar, prevent fleas from developing by disrupting their reproductive cycle. When trying to keep a severe infestation under control, they are very useful. To use them without spending too much, buy a high concentration IGR and dilute it according to the instructions provided in the package.
- Usually, you will need to repeat the application at least once, about 25 days after the first. Often, it will be helpful to use the treatment in areas of your pet frequented by once a month during flea season.
- IGRs are not poisonous to mammals. This makes them a great solution in homes where children or small animals such as hamsters are present.
Advice
- If you've caught a flea, flush it down the toilet or soak it in alcohol. Read also How to Make a Flea Trap
- Fleas can be carriers of tapeworms. Watch your pet closely following an infestation. They may have been hit by a stomach parasite. There are antithenia pills that your vet can prescribe for you.
- Many flea shampoos cannot be used on puppies. Always make sure to rinse off products of this type, as soap residues can annoy your pet.
- Remember that "100% natural" products sold in pet stores can still be toxic to animals. "100% natural" does not mean safe; arsenic and belladonna are also natural products!
- If you notice fleas, try catching them with duct tape.
- Make sure your pet sleeps or sits only where there are washable beds or blankets. This way you can clean them whenever you want.
- There are products on the market that can eliminate fleas from your lawn, to prevent infestations in your home and on your animals. Make sure you apply an IGR treatment, which stops the development of insects. In fact, insecticides only eliminate adult specimens. In the life cycle of fleas, the adult stage represents only 15%, while the other 85% has passed into the egg or larva state.
- A natural way to control fleas in open spaces is to use a beneficial roundworm treatment.
Warnings
- Fleas can return to your pet after you wash it with a flea shampoo.
- If your pet develops an irritation or any other type of allergic reaction and continues to scratch after two weeks of treatment, call your veterinarian.
- More severe flea infestations need to be treated by a veterinarian.
