Fleas are a scourge for pet owners everywhere. These nuisance insects can cause annoying itching when biting humans or pets, and there are even some animals that may be allergic to flea bites. In addition, fleas can also carry many diseases. To prevent tick bites, you must be able to effectively control their infestation. Consult with your veterinarian to find out which anti-flea product is best for your pet. Also clean your house to make sure there are no more fleas and eggs around. Otherwise, it may take you weeks to control the infestation. Remember that fleas can live on all pets. Therefore, you should provide flea treatment to all pets in your household, even if only one of them has fleas. Use repellent products regularly (according to the frequency listed on the packaging) to prevent this problem from happening again.
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Part 1 of 6: Preventing Flea Bites on Pets
Step 1. Visit your vet for a monthly flea control product
Veterinarians can give you oral or injectable flea medication. These drugs are likely to be more effective than over-the-counter medications. Another treatment your vet may provide is a topical solution.
- Try using a topical or local remedy. This medication will be absorbed through the skin and into the animal's bloodstream, but only needs to be applied to a small area of skin on its back. After that, this drug will paralyze and kill the fleas that suck the animal's blood. The ingredients contained in this product can vary, among others, fipronil, imidacloprid, metaflumizone, permethrin, pyriproxifen, lambectin, and spinosad. Take note, NEVER EVER use permethrin on cats.
- Consider oral tablets. This medicine is given once a month. Unfortunately, some oral tablets can only prevent nits from hatching into adult lice. So you need another product to kill adult lice. In addition, there are also fast-acting products that will only kill fleas for 24 hours.
- An injection that can control fleas for 6 months is available for cats. The vet should give this injection. However, there are potential side effects, including reactions at the injection site, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
- Give care to all pets in the house.
- Note that not all products that claim to kill lice are effective enough. You can buy over-the-counter flea drops or tablets, but they may not be effective at treating or preventing lice infestation. Even so, always read the product instructions label to find out the exact dosage.
Step 2. Do not let pets out of the house while fleas are prevalent
Depending on where you live, the most severe flea infestations usually occur between March and October. Fleas like warm, humid weather with a temperature of 22-32 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity.
Step 3. Try using a flea necklace
Some flea necklaces are very effective, others are not. Effective flea collars, including the Seresto brand, must be purchased with a veterinarian's prescription. Be careful buying over-the-counter flea necklaces as they are likely to be less effective. Always follow the directions for use on the packaging. When combined with an anti-flea and mite shampoo, this necklace can be very helpful in controlling lice. However, don't use dog flea collars on cats.
Part 2 of 6: Using Homemade Ingredients to Prevent Flea Bites on Pets
Step 1. Make a flea necklace out of essential oils
Although not scientifically proven, many people claim to have succeeded in preventing flea bites on their pets by making flea collars out of essential oils. Mix 2-3 drops of sandalwood or lavender oil with 2 tablespoons of water. Drop this solution on the bandana then smooth the aroma with your hands. After that, tie the bandana around the animal's neck.
Step 2. Add apple cider vinegar to your dog's drinking water
Although its effectiveness is not supported by scientific evidence, many people think that apple cider vinegar can repel lice. Add 1 teaspoon of natural apple cider vinegar to every 1 liter of dog drinking water. This mixture may repel fleas once the apple cider vinegar has entered the dog's bloodstream and out through the skin.
Step 3. Try adding brewer's yeast to pet food
Although there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness, brewer's yeast is thought to repel lice, especially in hot and humid weather. For small dogs or cats, simply add half a teaspoon of brewer's yeast to pet food by sprinkling on it. Use 1 teaspoon if your dog weighs more than 13 kg, and add another teaspoon for every next 13 kg.
Part 3 of 6: Cleaning and Removing Fleas from Home
Step 1. Vacuum the house every day
As tiring as this may sound, this step is very important to get rid of fleas from your home. Since the rest of the flea eggs will still hatch after your pet has been treated, you should clean up any flea eggs and larvae that have fallen onto furniture or floors. Vacuum your home every day for a few weeks to make sure it doesn't happen again.
- Remember to throw away the dust bag or remove the dust from the can in the trash can outside the house. If you leave this buildup of dust inside the appliance, fleas can easily re-enter the house.
- Fleas and their eggs can also become trapped in the upholstery of sofas, animal beds, and other upholstered furniture. Therefore, vacuum the upholstery every day for a few weeks.
Step 2. Use diatomaceous earth at home
Diatomaceous earth is a safe and natural alternative to killing fleas in the home. The consistency of diatomaceous earth resembles that of talc powder. You can sprinkle it on carpets, floors, and other areas of the house. Leave it for a few days then suck it up with a tool.
Step 3. Use a flea insecticide that contains growth-inhibiting substances
This type of insecticide will inhibit the growth of lice and their eggs. Look for a product that will kill lice and their eggs for up to 7 months.
Follow the instructions for use carefully. Be sure to keep all pets away from the insecticide application area. Don't forget to keep birds and animals that live in cages away. Also make sure to keep the tank closed while you are using this product
Step 4. Wash the sheets and upholstery in hot water
Remove the upholstery of the sofa, chair, or bed as much as possible. After that, wash it with the maximum temperature of the cloth. Washing like this should kill the lice and their eggs.
Collect clothes that are scattered around the house, especially piles of dirty clothes because fleas can nest there. Washing and drying the fabric at the highest temperature will kill the lice and their eggs
Part 4 of 6: Preventing Flea Bites on Humans
Step 1. Use lemon spray
Fleas don't like the smell of lemon and will avoid it. Spraying lemon solution around the house and on your pet will keep fleas away, at least temporarily.
- Make a lemon spray by cutting 6 lemons in half and then boiling them in water. Soak the lemons in this cooking water overnight and then pour the water into a clean spray bottle. Spray this solution onto upholstery and furniture around the house. In addition, this solution can also be sprayed on the body of pets.
- Try spraying the lemon solution on the hidden area first to make sure it doesn't cause any damage or discoloration.
Step 2. Use a diffuser and an essential oil that can repel lice
Have a few diffusers ready around the house. Choose an oil like lavender, eucalyptus, sandalwood, lemon, or peppermint oil.
You can also buy lotions that contain some of these essential oils. Apply lotion to the surface of the skin to repel lice
Step 3. Use an insecticide at home
Most insect repellent sprays can also be used to repel fleas. So, use this spray if you find fleas in your home. One of the insecticidal products that contain insect growth inhibitors can have a long effect and kill the lice that hatch for up to 7 months.
Consider the health hazards of insecticides. Make sure you always read the label on the package carefully to prevent poisoning
Step 4. Consider using insecticides in the yard
During flea season, an insecticide spray in the yard will kill both the lice and their eggs. However, look for products that are approved by BPOM and are safe to use around plants.
Step 5. Apply nematodes to the page
Nematodes are small worms that prey on fleas. Ladybugs are also good to give to the yard because they also prey on fleas. Visit your local plant store to purchase this flea predator.
Part 5 of 6: Checking for Fleas on Pets
Step 1. Use series
The Serit is a fine-toothed comb that is easy to find in pet stores, the animal products area of the department store, or at the vet's clinic. Position the serit so that it touches the surface of the animal's skin then gently run it over the fur. If your pet has fleas, you will find black spots or even live fleas when you comb their fur with a stylus.
Step 2. Wear white socks while at home
When you're at home, try wearing white socks for a while. These socks will help you detect lice easily. If you see black spots on your socks, this is a sign of lice. These spots may be live fleas that can jump onto your ankles and legs, but they may also be just their droppings.
Step 3. Observe behavior changes in pets
You may see him scratching or biting himself frequently if he is bothered by a tick bite.
Step 4. Check for tick bites on your skin
If your skin is bitten by a tick, you may find pink or red patches that are itchy.
- You may find tick bites in joint folds such as elbows, knees, or ankles.
- These patches will turn white when pressed.
Part 6 of 6: Treating Fleas in Pets
Step 1. Use flea medication from a veterinarian
If you haven't already, try consulting your vet to find out what treatment options for your pet. These treatments include topical, oral, or injectable medications. This medicine will kill the fleas that live on the pet's body while preventing the same problem from happening again.
Again, keep in mind that not all of these treatments are effective. Consult a veterinarian to get the best care for your pet
Step 2. Use a shampoo or special bath solution that can kill fleas on pets
Both of these products can kill fleas that are still living on the animal's body, but cannot prevent fleas that are in the vicinity from attacking again. Look for an animal shampoo or solution that kills fleas, larvae, and nits.
- Be sure to clean the pet's head after the body. Lice may try to jump onto the head to avoid the shampoo.
- Be sure to use the product according to the method and frequency recommended in the instructions for use. Also, rinse the animal's body thoroughly to remove any remaining product.
- DO NOT use a dog shampoo or solution specifically for cats.
- Keep in mind that products like these can cleanse your pet's body, but they won't prevent fleas from re-infesting. Therefore, you should use another product (such as a lice product or a flea necklace) to prevent the same problem from happening again.
Step 3. Try a spray or powder product
Anti-flea sprays or powders available at pet stores can be applied to pet hair. However, in order to kill fleas, this product must be able to reach the animal's skin.
Follow the instructions for proper use on the product packaging
Step 4. Never use dog products for cats, and vice versa
Anti-flea products are specially formulated for certain animals, and are not suitable for other animals. So, don't use products specially formulated for dogs on cats, and vice versa.
Tips
- Use 1% hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching from tick bites. Do not use this cream on pets.
- Patchouli oil is effective at repelling insects in general. You can use it to repel fleas, mosquitoes, mites, etc. This oil can be used straight from the bottle. However, use it sparingly. In addition, this oil can be mixed with a carrier oil such as unscented mineral oil. Then, spray on pets, your own body, bedding, furniture, and carpets, as well as any areas your pet explores. Don't forget your vehicle too. Just note that this oil has a strong distinctive aroma. Some people like it, but some don't. So, try to smell the aroma first before buying.
- Do not apply essential oils to pets or turn on the diffuser in the vicinity as this can cause internal injury and death.
- Do not use peppermint on pets as this can be dangerous.
Warning
- Read the instructions and warnings on the product before use. Many of them contain warnings for using the product around pets and children.
- Check your pet's weight before using any home flea treatment product. That way, you can calculate the exact dose of the drug.
