If you see one flea inside your home, there are bound to be hundreds more to follow. Fleas are parasitic insects that bite pets and humans, and will multiply to uncontrollable numbers in a very short amount of time. Chances are, if you have an animal that spends any time outdoors, you will have to deal with fleas in the home at some point in time. Your best chance for success is to act as soon as you spot the first flea.
Note – For best results, complete all the tasks we have listed at the same time to ensure that you eliminate fleas from the home once and for all. For a severe flea problem, it may require several months of consistent action on your part to get rid of fleas for good.
First thing’s first – Treat the pet(s)
Your first line of defense is an obvious one. Treat your pet with a veterinarian recommended flea control medicine. Most veterinarians will recommend a topical drop solution such as Frontline, Advantix, or something similar, which is applied directly to your pet’s skin. These drops kill fleas and flea eggs and are distributed once a month. This medicine must be applied each month around the same time, and every pet in the household needs to be treated at the same time for successful flea removal.
Fleas are inside your home too!
To eliminate fleas from the home, you can’t stop at treating your pet. Why? Because the fleas that are visible on your pet account for roughly 5% of the overall flea population in and around your home. Adult fleas lay eggs, which may be deposited in your carpeting, furniture, and bedding. These eggs hatch and the lifecycle begins. And, because fleas are jumping insects, they can often find their way into areas of the home that your pet is banned from.
How to eliminate fleas from the home
There are many places in your home fleas can be hiding and eggs can be nesting. Here are several things you can do to get rid of fleas where they hide:
Vacuum – Sweep the floors and upholstered furniture thoroughly with a high-powered vacuum. Dump the container into a trash bag outdoors and dispose.
Launder – Pet bedding, blankets, pet clothing, and any other materials that can be tossed in the washing machine, need to be laundered in hot water and bleach.
Treat carpets and furniture – By dusting food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) on carpets and upholstered furniture, you can safely kill fleas without exposing yourself or your pet to poisonous chemicals.
And if you still see fleas….
Stray animals that roam into your yard can be the source of a flea problem, too. Untreated animals that carry fleas can drop flea eggs in your pet’s environment. The outer perimeter of your home can also be treated with diatomaceous earth (DE) safely to ensure the eggs don’t match into adult fleas and latch on to your pets.
Consistent treatment of your pets and home will almost always pay off. If, however, after you’ve done everything listed and you still see fleas, find out if your pet’s flea treatment medication is backed by a guarantee. Frontline Plus, for example, offers a Satisfaction Plus Guarantee. If the products doesn’t control the fleas within 3 months, they’ll send out a pest-control specialist to treat your home. Check their website for complete details.
More from Jennifer Wagner:
Invisible Dangers Lurking at Home
How to Tell If You Have Bed Bugs in Your Home
How to Keep Your Dog From Smelling Bad
Source: Personal knowledge and experience
http://www.dirtworks.net/Diatomaceous-Earth.html
http://www.completekiller.com/frontlineplus/our-guarantee/