When you think of fleas, the first thing that comes to mind is they are tiny irritating insects. If you go with this understanding, then you are more than undermining the consequences they bring with them. Fleas bring along a unique set of problems and dealing with them can prove to be a real task. Fortunately, there are few ways you can eliminate fleas from your house and reduce the risk of flea infestation in your beloved companion.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
Before you try to win the battle with fleas, you should have some understanding about them because there are some flea treatments that work on different flea life stages, and it is vital to know which treatment will give your pet the best results.
Fleas have four stages during their life cycle which include egg, larva, pupa, and adult stage. Adult fleas need a host like your pet to live on where they can lay eggs. These eggs fall off and spread across your home in and out. Then they hatch into larvae and form cocoons during the pupa stage where they become adults and infest the host animal.
TREAT THE PET
There are numerous flea and tick treatments available which can be used in different combination to settle the flea issue.
Oral flea products are the most popular treatments amongst pet lovers because they create a lesser mess while administration. These products work systematically within hours of ingestion. Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica, etc. are amongst the bestsellers.
Topical flea treatments are proven to be a very effective way of providing relief to your pet from fleas. Frontline Plus, Activyl, Advantage, etc. are the leading brands in this category.
Other effective treatments for fleas include collars and flea shampoos.
Make sure you administer the above treatments only after consulting a veterinarian in order to get the desired treatment results.
TREAT YOUR HOME AND PREMISE
Treating your pet from flea and ticks does not solve the flea problem at all instead it is just a part of the process. What about the other guests which are lying on the carpet surface or furniture? These areas too need to be flea-free so that your pet has reduced chances of being re-infested.
Vacuuming is one of the effective ways of treating your house from fleas, especially from the places which are hard to crack, such as under the furniture, baseboards, windows, door frames, etc. Vacuuming eliminates many of the eggs, larvae, and pupae developing within the home. It also helps insecticide to penetrate carpet fibers and kill live fleas. Do not forget to seal the vacuum bag and discard it outside in a trash container. Vacuum at regular intervals to minimize the chances of a new flea build-up.
Flea sprays, foggers, and powders can be used to kill and hamper the flea growth in yards and lawns.
It is necessary to wash your pet’s bedding frequently. Wash them in hot and soapy water.
HOME PANACEA
Just in case, if you wish to use some readily available household products to get rid of fleas, there are a few. Using these remedies will save you both time and money.
Flea Comb
Furry animals like dogs, cats, etc. are the loving homes for fleas. Flea combs are made so that they reach extensively into animal’s fur and segregate fleas including larva and eggs. Frequent use of this tool will surely provide your friend a great relief.
Salt
Due to its chemical composition, saltworks similar to baking soda. Sprinkle it in your home or garden. Within 2-3 days fleas will be dehydrated, then use a vacuum to clean up.
More often than not, you will achieve your goal of keeping your beloved companion flea-free, only if you follow the above-mentioned measures. In case, flea issues continue, seek help from a professional exterminator or a veterinarian.