Learn How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Your Home

There is never a mild case of flea invasion- if you find one you are going to find ten, and of course, then leads to a full-on flea-fueled assault on you, your home, your pets and pretty much any space in your house that has the slightest amount of dark and dampness to it (fleas enjoy… no scrap that, they absolutely adore dark and humid places). But like most pest control issues, this doesn’t have to be a case of pack up the house, shave the kids and move to a flea-free suburban dream. It is possible to dispose of the mingy little pests, all it takes is a little time and effort and you can enjoy a flea-free existence in a matter of hours. Here is your step-by-step guide to learn how to get rid of fleas in your house.

Step 1: De-flea your pets

The very first thing to note about pet treatment is that you should never apply de-fleaing products without consulting your veterinarian first- some products are meant for cats, some for dogs, some are meant to apply topically while others are meant to be taken. Bottom line, Get an informed second opinion before you lather up your pet in some watered-down shopping-network bought liquid soap. You’re definitely not going to solve this problem by cutting corners- so follow the steps accordingly and we’ll have your problem solved in no time.

Most products require that you maintain an on-going application or usage, over a few weeks or months. This is just to ensure that when you wipe the fleas out they stay out. Again, if you’ve consulted with your veterinarian they’ll have prescribed something that is gentle on your pet and can be taken for an extended period of time.

I think it is also at this point that I feel the need to express the sub-category of this step: give your pets a little more loving. They hate fleas just as much as you do, I promise. A new toy, a delicious bone, a tickle behind the ears is a wonderful way to take their minds of the flea madness that is covering their bodies at that point.

Step 2: De-flea your home

If you want to know how to eliminate fleas in your house, it’s important to go for the larvae. A flea’s larvae can drop off onto pretty much anything and begin to hatch, it doesn’t require any special conditions in order to hatch and flourish in your beautiful home. Firstly think about where your pets spend time and target those areas first:

1. Pet bedding, blankets, pillows, rugs, couch cushions, and linen. These are obvious choices for your first line of attack. Most of these things will fit in your washing machine as well, so throw them in with normal detergent and clean with a hot water cycle.
2. Large carpets. Start off with a thorough vacuum- covering the entire area (underneath furniture and otherwise), there is an old wife’s tale that says that if you place a flea collar in your vacuum bag the fleas will start to perish as soon as you collect them. Now there is no proof that this works necessarily, but I certainly don’t see it doing any harm. If you are really serious about ridding your carpet of any filth take it outside to scrub it section by section, using hot water and effective cleaning aid. However, you’ll have to do this on a sunny day so that it dries completely (remember what I said about fleas loving the damp?)
3. Vacuum your furniture. There are many people that don’t allow their pets onto their furniture, but even if you are one of these people I promise your pets still manage a sneaky nap here and there. Vacuum all of the cracks and crevices within your couches and chairs, lift couch cushions and get underneath them. Flea eggs have stealth and will settle almost anywhere.
4. Check the areas where pets eat and play. These places are a little less obvious but are still prone to flea infestation- the lining of cupboards, door frames and garages could easily have fallen victim to the plague of the flea, so make sure you vacuum out these areas as well.
5. Lace the areas with an effective pesticide. Nobody likes using pesticides in their homes, but when it comes to prevention methods it is, unfortunately, the final step forward. Choose your pesticide well and clearly read the instructions and implications on the bottle. Products that contain Methoprene and Pyriproxyfen stop the reproductive growth of the flea- an effective action plan if you could ever think of one.

Just note: DO NOT apply this to you or your pet’s skin, and preferably cover your nose and mouth while you are spraying it as well. At this point, I feel that I can express the need for you to go and embrace the great outdoors: treat this as a time to get out the house and take your pet for a walk or take the kids to get some ice cream, just while you wait for the pesticide to take effect and for the fumes to evaporate.

Step 3: Doing a clean-sweep

Now you’ve done all of this laborious work to de-flea your home, you have to do one final sweep of all areas before you can be completely satisfied that your home is truly spick and span. There is absolutely no point in doing all that work and then not making absolutely sure. Check all areas again and if another area crops up in your mind as suspect- super clean it as well!

Step 4: Maintenance

Part of knowing how to get rid of fleas in your house is to continue with the up-keep.

1. Fine comb your pet’s fur with a flea comb. Do this on a weekly basis looking for fleas, flea eggs and flea dirt (which are an indication of flea bites). You can buy a flea comb at your veterinarian’s office.
2. Lint rolls your clothing and linen. This is pretty self-explanatory; every now and then run a lint roller (the one with the sticky stuff) over the areas where your pets sit or hang out; check the roller afterward for any signs of flea return.

The most important thing to remember when considering a flea infestation in your home is to catch them early! Watch your pet’s habits closely are they constantly scratching themselves or rolling over repeatedly in their beds? Check your furniture for any kind of flea indication and even your children for any bites and bumps. There are some cases so severe that Flea Control Adelaide professionals have to be called in, and you certainly don’t want your home to get to this level of invasion.