July 4, 2022
5 steps to get rid of fleas in your home
No pet owner wants to have fleas or ticks in their home because they are stubborn and hard to remove. A single flea is said to lay 40 to 50 eggs a day.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get rid of fleas on your dog. Here are 5 steps to get rid of fleas in your home and your pet.
Clean Your Home
If you believe your furry friend has fleas, the first thing you need to do is to clean your home thoroughly — vacuum all the carpets, furniture, and other spaces where fleas might be hiding.
Use a powerful vacuum with strong suction to remove as many fleas and eggs as possible. Be sure to throw the vacuum bag away immediately after use to prevent the fleas from escaping back into your home.
After vacuuming, employ a steam cleaner for your carpets and furniture to remove any remaining fleas. The combination of soap and high heat is the perfect way to get rid of them.
You should also launder all of your bedding, towels, and clothing in hot water to kill any fleas that might be there. Again, wash everything in hot water, not just warm water – and don’t forget your pet’s bedding! Nowadays, there are various flea bombs on the market that you can purchase from your local supermarket or hire professional pest control.
Treat Your Pet
Once you’ve vacuumed, steamed, and laundered everything in your home, it’s time to focus on your pet. Start by giving them a thorough bath with flea shampoo. Additionally, you can use a flea and worm treatment for dogs to protect them year-round. Preventative treatments come in both oral or one drop applications, which are applied to the back of your pet’s neck.
If you are using a shampoo, be sure to work it into their fur down to the skin. Rinse your furry friend thoroughly afterwards. After bathing your dog, comb your pet’s hair using a flea comb. Doing so will help get rid of any remaining fleas and eggs from their fur. After you have finished, dip the comb in a dish of soap and water to catch the remaining fleas quickly.
You can also spray an apple cider vinegar solution on your pet’s fur. It will help to repel fleas and is a natural remedy. Be sure to avoid their eyes, nose, and mouth when spraying. It’s important to remember that to stop repeat infestations, you need to break the flea life cycle once and for all, and continue your pet’s flea treatment.
Clean Your Yard
Fleas can also infest your home’s yard. These tiny pests love warm, humid, and shaded places, so it’s no surprise that your yard is a welcome environment for them.
Here’s what you can do to get rid of fleas in your yard:
- Rake up any dead leaves, grass, or debris. It will remove potential hiding places for fleas.
- Cut back any overgrown vegetation. Trimming back bushes and trees will help repel fleas.
- Remove any sources of standing water. Fleas need water to survive, so getting rid of any standing water on your property will make it less hospitable for them.
- A more natural way to treat your yard is by using diatomaceous earth, a silky-fine powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. The sharp edges of the diatoms cut through the hard exoskeletons of fleas, effectively killing the fleas and their larvae – and it’s harmless to pets.
- Keep your lawn mowed – a frequently cut lawn is less inviting to fleas.
These steps will help to reduce the flea population in your yard and make it less inviting for them to stay.
Bring Your Pet to The Vet
While fleas aren’t a medical emergency, you may need to bring your dog to the vet if your dog is constantly scratching, has bald patches, or if you see signs of skin irritation. Your vet can prescribe a medication to kill the fleas and help your dog with any discomfort caused by the bites. Also, they can give you advice on how to get rid of fleas in your home.
Follow Up
It’s not enough to clean your home and treat your pet once in a while. You need to be proactive about preventing fleas and ticks from infesting your home in the first place. The best way to do this is to follow up on your cleaning routine with a regular spraying schedule.
There are plenty of commercially available flea and tick sprays that you can use, but some natural recipes work just as well. Either way, make sure to spray every nook and cranny of your home, paying particular attention to dark corners and carpeted areas. You may need two more home and pest treatments to eliminate a flea or tick problem.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve had a flea infestation in your home, you’ll know how tricky they can be to get rid of, however, the 5 tips outlined in this post can be beneficial in keeping your dog and home free of fleas and ticks.
Read next: Non -Toxic Flea Remedies