If you are a pet owner, you surely have had to deal with flea infestation more than once.
These pesky creatures live on animals and feed off their blood. They can easily become a problem in your home, targeting you, your kids, and your furry friend.
Fleas are one of the most annoying pests to deal with and may seem impossible to get rid of.
They can get around very easily; if your pet brings them home, it’s likely that your yard, furniture, and toys will be all be infested next.
If you find your pet scratching themselves all the time, it’s a sure sign of a flea infestation. You may want to check your pet for fleas.
The fleas are 2.5 millimetres long, and visible to the naked eye. Their strong legs make them great jumper; they can jump as far as 13 inches in distance.
The life cycle of the flea is dependent on environmental conditions; in a warm climate, fleas have a life cycle of 18 to 21 days.
If the weather isn’t warm enough and there isn’t a host to feed on, flea larvae can remain dormant for months while waiting for better conditions to develop.
I have a problem with fleas around your home and you truly want to know to get the situation under control, then you should contact flea and tick prevention services immediately.
There are also many steps you can take to ensure your house is flea-free; here are seven of them to get you started.
1. Make a Dish Soap Solution
An easy way to create a flea trap is to use dish soap and water solutions that will act as a glue to trap the fleas.
All you have to do is fill a plate with this mixture and place it in places where you notice the most flea activity.
For best results, you may have to repeat this method with a fresh batch every day. This should be done at night because fleas are nocturnal creatures.
You can enhance the effects of this natural home remedy by placing a candle near the solution.
2. DIY Herbal Flea Spray
Another quick way to get rid of fleas from your home is to make your own herbal flea spray. You can easily make this natural remedy from non-toxic products found around your home.
It is safe and convenient to use around pets and children. Simply mix 4 litres of vinegar, 2 litres of water, 500 ml of lemon juice, and 250 ml of witch hazel to create your DIY flea spray.
Once you have your spray ready, you may want to vacuum the carpet and sofa and wash any bedding that could be infested before spraying them with the solution.
Make sure to empty the contents into an outside bin, then apply the natural flea remedy to your home, spraying carpets, furniture, pet bedding, window sills, and floors.
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3. Bathe Pets Regularly
Unknowingly, pets become the main cause of home flea infestations. Fleas lay eggs in the pet’s coat that grow into larva and eventually into adult fleas.
The eggs can be transferred to carpets, furniture, bedding, and pretty much wherever your pet spends their time.
Hence, it’s recommended to give your pet a bath every two to three weeks.
Try to use a flea shampoo that contains Precor, an Insect Growth Regulator, along with natural moisturizers like oatmeal, coconut extract, lanolin, and aloe.
You may want to consult with professional flea and tick prevention services to learn more about the products to use on your pet.
4. Clean the Air
There are foggers or bug bombs available that kill fleas on contact.
Using these aerosol sprays on the entrance areas and other places your pets like to hang out is a very crucial step to clear your home of fleas.
You can choose from natural active ingredients such as peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, and eugenol or opt for an Insect Growth Regulator.
You can consult with flea and tick prevention services for more information.
5. Use Diatomaceous Earth
For those who don’t know what diatomaceous earth is; it is the microscopic remains of fossilized algae, diatoms.
It can be found in a very fine powder form and is non-toxic to humans. Since it causes dehydration, it makes a great natural remedy to get rid of fleas.
Simply sprinkle the powder over areas you suspect have high flea activity. Leave this for 2 days, then vacuum promptly, following the necessary flea prevention methods afterwards.
Use with precaution: Although diatomaceous earth is non-toxic, the powder can cause irritation to your eyes and throat.
It is advised that you wear a face mask when using diatomaceous earth or call in flea and tick prevention services.
6. Install Flea Repelling Plants
A natural way to get rid of fleas is getting the help of some specific plants like Penny Royal, Chrysanthemums, Lavender, and Spearmint.
These plants contain oils and chemicals that fleas hate and will try to avoid at all costs.
7. Get Expert Assistance
Other than being a nuisance, fleas can quickly spread diseases and parasites. Some of the most dangerous diseases are flea-borne like typhus and bubonic plague.
If a flea infection goes undetected, it can severely affect your lifestyle. That is why if you have the slightest suspicion of a flea infestation, you should seek professional guidance.
Call the experts at Mosquito Sheriff, who offer premium flea and tick prevention services.
