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Jan 6, 2024 · Natural Flea Control Strategies. Beneficial Nematodes. Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms that naturally control flea populations outdoors. They parasitize flea larvae by releasing bacteria that is lethal to the flea. Apply them by mixing with water and spraying into the yard. Diatomaceous Earth.
- Overview
- Flea life cycle
- How long does it take to get rid of fleas?
- How to get rid of fleas in your home
- How to get rid of fleas in your yard
- How to get rid of your pet’s fleas
- Why you need to get rid of fleas quickly
- The bottom line
Certain techniques may help you prevent a flea infestation. Tips for getting fleas out of your home include vacuuming, dusting, washing all bedding, using topical treatments on pets, and more.
Fleas are some of the most annoying pests to deal with. They’re small, jumpy, and multiply quickly. Pets can pick up fleas from being outside in nature, around other animals, or when humans track in the insects on our shoes or clothes.
Excessive itching and scratching is a telltale sign your pet may have fleas. You may even spot the little acrobats. On average, fleas are 2-4 millimeters long, making them visible to the naked eye.
If your family pet has fleas, it’s likely that your yard and house will become a breeding ground.
A flea infestation can test your patience and require persistence. But you can eradicate the problem with a combination of cleaning methods, sprays, and pet-friendly topical medications among other options.
Do fleas bite people, too?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the life cycle of the flea depends on a lot on environmental conditions. Fleas flourish in warm climates and usually (but not always) die in the winter season.
Flea eggs are small but can be seen if you’re looking closely. They are smooth and white or light in color. A single adult female flea can produce up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. These eggs may be laid in your pet’s fur, deep in the carpet, or in tall grass.
In ideal conditions, fleas will evolve from egg to adult within 2 to 3 weeks. Adult fleas can live up to 100 days.
Fleas are ready to feed within a day of hatching, and begin to suck blood within 10 seconds of landing on a host.
The length of time required to get rid of a flea infestation depends on your environment, and how long the fleas have been there.
Prompt cleaning and using topical flea medications for your pet may get rid of the majority of fleas within a day or two. However, it can take days to weeks for all the fleas present in an environment to die, even with the most conscientious approach.
If your pet is a walking carrier of mature fleas, your home can become the nursery.
Since the flea has multiple life stages (egg, larvae, cocoon, adult), when adult fleas are present, it is assumed all of these stages are also present throughout your house. This means that you have to tackle the problem from all angles in order to truly eradicate the infestation.
To do this, you must treat your pet and its living environment at the same time. Depending on your pet’s boundaries, this may include your whole house or yard.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following cleaning approaches:
1.Use a powerful vacuum on any floors, upholstery, and mattresses. Cracks and other tight spaces are usually good hiding places for fleas and their cohort of eggs, larvae, and cocoons. If you can, use a vacuum with a bag you can dispose of without coming into contact with its contents.
2.Employ a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. The combination of high heat and soap is the enemy of fleas in all stages of life. Pay special attention to any spots where your pet usually lies down or spends a lot of time.
The best way to eliminate fleas from your yard is to think about where they’re most like to hide.
Fleas love places that are:
•shaded
•humid
•warm
Direct sun-exposed areas can get too hot, so you probably won’t find many fleas there. Problem areas will likely be found by observing where your pet likes to lie down.
If you suspect that your pet has fleas, you should act fast to prevent them from spreading.
You may be able to see the insects hopping around on your pet’s fur, but sometimes a closer look is needed. A flea comb may reveal adult fleas or their eggs. Dabbing around with a wet cloth on your pet or its bedding can show flea dirt (flea waste that will appear as bloody specks).
A flea infestation usually requires a combination of tactics. Even if you use a topical flea medication or spray, you still need to continue cleaning. Fleas lay a lot of eggs, and the cycle can start over if you aren’t vigilant.
1.Kill fleas with a topical prescription. The US Food and Drug Administration advises you pay close attention to choosing the right formula, and use it exactly as directed. Topical doses are sorted by pet type, age, and weight. Flea medications like Frontline or Revolution spread quickly between fleas, killing adults and stopping new ones from hatching. Most fleas will be killed within several hours, but it can take days for a topical medication to have full effect.
2.Kill fleas with an oral prescription. While topicals affect fleas directly, oral pills or chewables (like Bravecto and Capstar) get into fleas after they bite your pet.
3.Kill fleas with a pet-safe spray. Flea sprays can kill fleas on contact. Many sprays for the home are not pet-friendly, and could be toxic to animals. Always follow instructions and make sure the area is dry or clear before allowing humans or pets back in the room.
Beyond making your pet uncomfortable and multiplying at great speeds, fleas can also spread diseases and parasites.
These are rare, but include:
•typhus
•bubonic plague
•cat scratch disease (CSD)
If a flea infection goes undetected, your pet may develop heartworm or a tapeworm. Tapeworms may occasionally infest people as well, although this is rare for heartworms.
Going up against a flea infestation can seem overwhelming, but there’s plenty of tools at your disposal.
You can kill fleas on contact and interrupt their reproductive cycles if you act fast. This includes vacuuming and doing laundry at high heat, keeping your yard neat, and treating your pet with a topical anti-flea ointment.
Below are some ways to get rid of fleas in your yard. Remove dead plants and other debris where fleas can breed. Use sprays on patios, along foundations and under porches. Reapply flea sprays after rainstorms according to manufacturer's instructions.
- See your veterinarian. All pets in the home need to be treated, not just the one you found fleas on. If one pet is infected, they likely all are.
- Wash ALL fabrics. Shake your pet's bedding and any other fabric they sleep or rest on outside to get rid of as much flea dirt and debris as possible.
- Clean carpets, rugs, and furniture. If it can’t be picked up and washed in HOT water, then you need to vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Fully vacuum everywhere and then treat with a spray like Knockout.
- Clean the vacuum. If you have a bagless vacuum, you need to empty it into a trash bag when you’re done, seal the trash bag and throw it OUTSIDE.
Mar 27, 2024 · To completely get rid of and prevent fleas after an infestation, you'll likely need a multi-targeted approach, treating your pet, your home, your pet's bedding, and other areas your pet frequents. Our Top Picks. Best Overall: Adams Flea and Tick Home Spray at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review. Best Powder:
Our targeted flea pest control service combines the most advanced technology and methods available to help take back your home. Get a Quote or call 877-819-5061
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Jan 11, 2020 · We'll discuss how fleas affect pets and people, the flea life cycle, and how to use non-toxic methods to get rid of fleas, including DIY flea repellent.
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