Flea protection is something every pet owner should have in place. Flea infestations can be quite hard to battle once these tiny jumping insects have made themselves comfortable in your home or yard. That is why this is the time of year to be vigilant and proactive in protecting your property from a flea invasion.
Fleas find their way into yards and homes by hitching a ride on wildlife, pets and human’s shoes or clothing. Signs that fleas might be an issue in your environment is a pet excessively scratching and itching. Sometimes these 2-4 millimeter critters can be spotted hopping from one spot to the next.
Other signs can be fleas can be tiny bite marks around your ankles or in folds of skins. Flea bites can cause allergic reactions in the form of hives. Pets are the more likely culprit for bringing fleas into your home as they are ideal hosts. Their fur is preferable to fleas for latching on and laying eggs, proliferating the infestation.
Fleas spread disease and parasites while multiplying quickly. That is why swift intervention is necessary at the first sight of fleas on a pet, in your yard or home. It is best to tackle the infestation on all three battlegrounds. Below are strategies you can use in combatting a flea infestation.
Getting Rid of Fleas on Pets:
Flea Shampoo: Consult with your vet or pet store for a shampoo that is best suited to your pet’s size, fur and skin sensitivity. While shampoos will kill fleas on your pet, it will not treat a home infestation.
Flea Comb: Use a flea comb to gather fleas as it passes through your pet’s fur and dunk them in a bowl of warm soapy water. Concentrate on the neck and tail area, as that is their favorite spot to hang out. Be sure to repeat for several days to prevent reoccurrences.
Topical Flea Treatment: Frontline or Revolution work pretty quickly killing adults and stopping eggs from hatching. Most will be killed within hours but can take days for full effectiveness.
Oral Prescription: An oral pill or chewable get rid of fleas quickly. It is best to consult with your veterinarian as they are more qualified to proscribe the best treatment for your particular needs.
Clean Bedding: Wash and dry all your pet’s bedding at high heat several times to ensure fleas are eradicated for good.
Getting Rid of Fleas in Home:
Wash Bedding & Washable Fabrics: Wash all fabric items in the infested area that can be washed and dried at high heat, especially all bedding.
Vacuum Thoroughly: Use a powerful vacuum on all flooring, mattresses, upholstery, etc… Be sure to use a wand to reach into tight crevices where fleas and eggs tend to hide. Empty, tightly seal and dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.
Steam Clean: Use a steam cleaner on carpets, upholstery and pet bedding that can’t be run through a washer.
Aerosol Spray: Use aerosol sprays rather than foggers that are pet-friendly with an adulticide for killing adult fleas and insect growth regulator for killin eggs, larvae and pupae. Prevent any pets or household members from coming in contact with the treatment area until it has dried.
Getting Rid of Fleas Outside:
Keep Lawn Mowed: As fleas tend to high in high grasses, keeping it maintained is an important preventative measure.
Keep Wildlife Out: Fence in your property and use motion lights to prevent flea carrying wildlife in your yard.
Cedar Chips: Spread cedar chips around your yard and garden as fleas don’t like the smell.
While a flea infestation is intimidating, using a variety of proven methods can make your eradicating efforts successful. Using these strategies at the same time will make you battle against a flea infestation even more successful.
The Bug Stops Here is a full service pest control and exterminator company serving Bohemia and Nassau County, New York and businesses located in Long Island, New York serving all of New York City; Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and surrounding area. For twenty years, our team at Pest Control team has been comprised of professional exterminators who provide high quality pest control services for both commercial and residential properties throughout New York. Our team of extermination professionals can get rid of a variety of pests, ranging from cockroaches, termites, ticks & fleas, bees, wasps,hornets, rodents, ants to bed bugs. Our goal is to provide you with the best pest control services that exceed both your standards and those of the industry as a whole.