Fleas are small and agile insects that live on the blood of other animals. Once indoors, these insects can live on carpets and cling to pets. To get rid of fleas, you can use insecticides and vacuum upholstered carpets and furniture. You should also bathe your pet thoroughly. If you do the flea extermination really hard, these insects can be completely gone in a week or two.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Treating the House with Insecticides
Step 1. Mix the botanical powder with the boric acid or boric acid
The easiest way to get rid of fleas is when these insects are in a vulnerable condition, namely when the fleas are in the form of eggs and larvae. This mixture can completely prevent fleas from multiplying.
- Borates are minerals that are commonly used as wood preservatives, detergents and insecticides, which are toxic to the flea stomach.
- Adult fleas can live an average of 2-3 months and can survive for 100 days without sucking the blood of their host. On the other hand, newly hatched larvae will die if they do not eat within three days. So, the easiest way to get rid of fleas is to attack the larvae first.
Step 2. Sprinkle the borate mixture onto carpets, furniture and bedding
If you have pets, you can also sprinkle this mixture on your cat or dog bed. It's a good idea to do this when you're out for a while, for example, around 24 hours. Also arrange for pets to stay out of the house during this time. Let the mixture sit there for one day. When you return, vacuum the carpet and furniture, and wash the bedding. Be careful not to inhale the mixture of botanical powder and borates. Wear a mask when you sprinkle this mixture at home.
- Use insecticide in a well-ventilated area, and wear gloves. Continuous exposure to insecticides can be harmful to human and pet health.
- Fleas have a long life cycle so you will need to apply the insecticide 2 or 3 times, with an interval of 3 weeks, so that you can get rid of the flea infestation completely.
Step 3. Install several flea traps in the house along with the borate mixture
The trick is to put a light over the trap (which contains a flea-killing insecticide). This trap is set to ensure that fleas that are not killed by the borate mixture die with the trap. Fleas will be attracted by the heat and light, then fall into the trap and die from the poison.
If you have pets that might open and eat the contents of the trap, place the trap in a location where the animal cannot access it, or place the flea trap in a room that can be closed so that pets cannot enter
Method 2 of 3: Getting Rid of Fleas without Insecticides
Step 1. Vacuum the house 2 times a day for two weeks
Vacuum any areas affected by flea infestations, including areas where pets often roam. Remove furniture and vacuum the area underneath, as well as vacuum rugs and hidden areas of carpet. After that, also suck up the upholstered furniture. Most fleas won't be able to escape a good vacuum cleaner!
- People usually use high powered vacuum cleaners with great suction power, but actually you can do that with just a standard vacuum cleaner.
- Always dispose of the vacuum cleaner after you vacuum. This is useful for preventing the return of flea infestations.
Step 2. Mix water and 2 drops of dish soap in a shallow bowl
Pour this water and detergent mixture into a very shallow bowl, almost flush with the floor for fleas to accidentally jump into it. Next, place this mixture near a low-hanging light source (we recommend using a night light). Fleas are attracted to light. When approaching the lamp, many fleas will fall into the mix, and die slowly.
- This mixture of water and dish soap is like a toxic swimming pool for fleas. These insects will die when they fall into the pool.
- If you don't have a shallow container, you can use an unused frisbee.
Step 3. Spray lemon juice on the flea-infested area
Thinly slice one lemon and add it to 1 liter of water. Bring the water and lemon mixture to a boil. Next, let the mixture sit overnight for maximum strength. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on the flea-infested area.
You can also use other citrus fruits, such as sweet oranges, limes, or grapefruits (large oranges like grapefruit)
Step 4. Place the cedar wood chips on the flea-infested area
Place cedar (a type of spruce) chips in corners of rooms, in pet cages or beds, and under furniture. You can also wrap a cedar sheet in a cotton cloth and place it between sofa cushions, under pillows, and on the bed (if possible). This is to ensure that the bed is free of fleas. Fleas dislike the smell of cedarwood and will avoid it. You can find cedar litter at a pet or home supply store.
Make sure your pet is not allergic to cedar. Many dogs are allergic to cedar. If your dog shows an allergic reaction to cedar (such as sneezing or swollen eyes), stop using it
Step 5. Sprinkle salt on the carpet surface
Salt is a desiccant, meaning it can remove moisture from objects and dry them out. When attached to the flea, the salt crystals will cause abrasions and scratches on the flea, and make the insect bleed and die while walking. After 7–10 days, vacuum the salted area thoroughly, and make sure all salt and flea carcasses on the carpet are removed. Repeat this process of adding salt 1 or 2 times.
- Do this using very fine salt. The finer the better. The salt has to be fine enough for it to stick to the flea.
- Once you are done vacuuming, throw away the old vacuum cleaner bag and replace it with a new one.
Step 6. Sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth around the house
Like salt, diatomaceous earth can kill fleas by slashing their bodies. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of diatomaceous earth on the flea-infested carpet. You can also use diatomaceous earth as a precaution by sprinkling it around the entrance to the house. Get diatomaceous earth at a pet feed store, hardware store, or home supply store.
You can use diatomaceous earth on pets, as long as it doesn't get in the eyes and ears. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on your pet's back and rub it all over the skin
Step 7. Spray insect growth regulator (IGR) onto floors and bedding
IGR is a chemical insecticide that functions to stop the growth of fleas. The larvae will die and cannot develop into adult fleas so there will be no more reproduction process and new fleas will invade the house. IGR will break the flea reproduction cycle. This way, you can control the attack. This IGR mixture should usually be given 2 times, with an interval of every 3 weeks.
- You can also save money by buying concentrates and mixing them according to the directions on the product packaging. IGR can be purchased at hardware stores.
- IGR is not toxic to mammals. Therefore, IGR is a good option if you have children and small pets such as hamsters, reptiles, or fish.
Method 3 of 3: Handling Pets to Get Rid of Fleas
Step 1. Bathe pets daily with water and flea soap
By bathing it, the fleas attached to the pet will die. Prepare your pet for bathing by applying flea soap near the ears, nose, eyes, mouth, and bottom. When fleas sense water, these insects will immediately look for safe hiding places on the pet's body, for example on the neck, head, and near the anus. Apply flea soap before you wet your pet.
There may still be other fleas that are in different stages of the life cycle preparing to jump onto the pet's body. So, use this method in conjunction with other precautions, such as vacuuming, borate mixes, and cedar chips
Step 2. Apply soap and leave it on the pet for at least 10 minutes
After applying soap to the pet in the affected area, wet it and rub it all over until it lathers. Ten minutes later, use warm water to rinse off any soap that has stuck to the pet's fur. When the pet is dry, remove the dead fleas by combing it.
Take a shower as soon as you finish washing your pet, as some flea shampoos can be irritating if they stay on human skin for too long
Step 3. Use a flea-resistant product on your dog or cat
Anti-flea products, such as Advantage or Frontline can be used on pets every month. This product can usually be applied directly to the pet's skin, between the shoulder blades and at various points on the spine. This treatment will work through the skin (integumentary system). These pet-safe products can be purchased at pet stores.
You can use an anti-flea product along with a fine-toothed flea comb. Use a flea comb to remove fleas that are stuck to your pet's fur
Step 4. Change the type of treatment performed if the old method is not effective
This is to prevent the fleas from adapting to the treatment. Some standard flea-killing products may not be effective because these insects have adapted to certain treatments (including the chemicals found in flea collars). If this is the case, switch to another method and use IGR (eg Nylar). For example, if flea collars don't work, try scrubbing your pet with flea powder.
- Veterinarians usually sell tablets that can be given to pets. These tablets will attack the flea's nervous system through the bloodstream and tissues of the cat or dog. Although it can kill all fleas that live in pets, this product cannot prevent fleas from infesting.
- The use of IGR will stop the flea regeneration process and prevent it from adapting to the treatment.
Step 5. Give flea tablets orally to get rid of fleas in pets fast
Anti-flea tablets are given by mouth and the effect will be felt within a few hours. This tablet will kill all fleas living on the animal in about an hour. However, these tablets are not preventive in nature and cannot make pets immune to subsequent flea infestations. After the flea dies, give your pet a bath to clean up the dying flea if your pet is seen scratching.
Some cats can become very active, scream a lot, or pant when they take anti-flea tablets. If this happens, reduce the dose, or discontinue use if your cat is sensitive
Step 6. Add flea repellent to pet food
Since fleas live on animal blood, you can deal with this by modifying your pet's diet. For example, you can add vinegar to your dog's drinking water. Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a dog's water bowl, or bathe the animal in a mixture of water and vinegar.
Do not do this with cats, because cats are much more pH sensitive than dogs
Tips
- When looking for fleas, you may also come across something called "flea droppings." This thing is rough and black in color, and when placed on a wet towel, it turns red. Flea droppings are blood that fleas excrete from the body as waste. This can be a good clue to find out where he lives.
- Don't leave the salt on the carpet for too long. The salt will absorb the moisture and spread it throughout the carpet fibers.
- If your dog isn't particularly fond of standard flea soap, try using a soap containing eucalyptus, tea tree oil, or cedar oil. Fleas do not like the oil from these trees. So, take advantage of these materials.
