Fleas and ticks tend to become active when the weather turns warm in spring, and it can be difficult to keep them out of your home. The best way to get rid of these parasites is to use a multi-pronged approach: do a deep cleaning, treat your pets with repellent, and apply chemicals around the house. For best results, spend a full day pest control so you can fix the problem in one go.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Treating Pets with a Flea and Tick Repellent
Step 1. Apply flea and tick spray or bathe your pet with this treatment
Your vet should be able to provide safe and effective treatment for your pet. Remember to apply the treatment the same day you clean the house and treat it with a chemical solution so the dogs won't bring the fleas back into the house.
Step 2. Quarantine your pets
Keep them in an area with smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces, such as a tiled bathroom or kitchen, while you clean the house from top to bottom. If they have a comfortable space to play outside, that's even better.
- If you are worried about your pets coming into contact with repellent chemicals or staying outdoors, consider taking them to the vet while you clean and disinfect the house.
- Make sure that the fleas and ticks have completely disappeared, both from the animal and from your home, before bringing them back inside.
Method 2 of 4: Clean Your Home
Step 1. Vacuum your entire house
Use a powerful vacuum cleaner to clean carpets, rugs and furniture. Move the furniture to clean the spaces under and behind. The vacuum cleaner removes fleas, ticks and their eggs, so it is important not to skip this step.
- Vacuum the bedroom and sofa cushions. If you can, use the vacuum cleaner hose to clean the underside of the sofa and other soft furnishings.
- Focus on areas your pets frequent, such as the rooms where they play and sleep.
- Don't forget to vacuum the closet too, especially if it has carpet.
- If you think that the car may also be infested, also vacuum inside it thoroughly, to avoid bringing fleas and ticks back into the house.
Step 2. Wash your sheets and clothes
Do high temperature cycles to wash the sofa cover, blankets, sheets and clothes. Set the highest temperature in the dryer to dry thoroughly and make sure all insects and their eggs are removed.
- If you have an item that could be damaged by washing in hot water, such as a wool coat, place it in a plastic bag and seal it. Take it to the dry cleaner to make sure fleas and ticks aren't hiding there.
- Wash your tent, tarps, and other fabrics that could be a refuge for fleas and ticks.
Step 3. Sanitize the corners and crevices
Use a spray cleaner and cloth to clean windowsills, baseboards, and other areas where fleas and ticks can thrive. Pay more attention to the rooms where your pets spend most of their time.
Method 3 of 4: Treat Your Home with a Chemical Application
Step 1. Spray your home with a pesticide
Natural treatments aren't effective enough to kill fleas and ticks, so you'll need to use a pesticide to get rid of the infestation in your home. Follow the product supplier's instructions for treating your home, focusing on carpets, upholstered furniture and areas your pet frequent.
- Use a pesticide containing chemicals that kill both fleas and adult ticks and their eggs.
- Be sure to read the safety instructions before treating the house. Children and pets should not be inside the home when you perform the treatment.
- If you have a severe infestation, you should hire a professional to treat the home for you. In this case, the whole family will not have to enter the house for a couple of days, since the powerful chemicals used are toxic.
Step 2. Vacuum the house every day
When the pesticide acts at home, it kills adult fleas and ticks, continuing to kill them as the eggs hatch. It may take several weeks for fleas and ticks to completely disappear.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing the Return of Fleas and Ticks
Step 1. Have your pets wear flea collars
Animals are usually the reason fleas and ticks enter your home, so the best way to keep them out is to get them off your pet. Ask your vet for the safest flea collar. Washing your dog with flea shampoo is another good preventative measure you can take.
Step 2. Use the vacuum cleaner often
In the event that fleas and ticks enter your home again, vacuuming will make sure they don't stay long enough to reproduce. Vacuum the areas where your pets spend the most time every day, and vacuum the whole house once or twice a week.
Step 3. Keep the pet bed and bedding clean
The dog's cloths and the cat's bed should be washed frequently with hot water. If you use a towel to dry your dog after a bath, wash it immediately in hot water instead of putting it in the laundry basket.
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