Dealing with flea infestations can be annoying, especially when you're working hard to get rid of fleas that infest your home, pets, and around the yard. Luckily, you can get rid of fleas and keep them from coming back without having to call a professional exterminator. The key is to use a variety of flea-fighting agents and to be consistent in caring for your home and pets. Also, if you find fleas on your pets, you should also take care of your home and yard to keep the fleas from re-infesting.
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Method 1 of 3: Treating Fleas on Pets
Step 1. Purchase a flea shampoo that contains citrus, rosemary, or eucalyptus oils
Besides being very effective against fleas, these natural ingredients are also non-irritating to pets. Shampoos containing these ingredients can be purchased at the store, or ask your veterinarian if he has the natural shampoo he recommends. Do not use shampoos that contain insecticides (such as pyrethrins) because they can irritate the skin of you and your pet.
Talk to your vet first if you want to use flea shampoo, as some shampoos are toxic to certain pets. For example, shampoos containing tea tree or cedar oil are harmful to cats
Step 2. Wash the pet from the head to the lower body
When fleas come into contact with water, they will seek shelter in dry, hard-to-reach areas. Therefore, you should at least wet (if not clean) the ears, rectum, neck, and eye sockets before wetting the entire body. So that you can reach all the fleas, rub your pet into a lather for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
- When rinsing your pet, brush its fur so you can remove any dead eggs or fleas.
- Read the product packaging carefully before you use it. Some shampoos have to be used several times in one washing process.
- The frequency with which your pet washes using flea shampoo depends on whether or not the fleas re-infest, the age and breed of the animal, and the advice of your veterinarian.
Step 3. Take natural precautions by spraying apple cider vinegar on pets
After you've eradicated fleas on your pet with flea shampoo, take some steps to prevent the fleas from coming back. If you don't want to use over-the-counter lice-killing products that contain chemicals and can be irritating, you can use apple cider vinegar to prevent lice, as they have an unpleasant, pungent odor. Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. Next, spray this mixture on the pet. Be careful not to get in the eyes, ears and nose.
You can use this apple cider vinegar spray whenever you encounter fleas on your pet or before the animal leaves the house
Step 4. Try brushing your pet with lemon juice as another natural preventative measure
If you don't like the smell of apple cider vinegar, you can prevent flea infestations on your pets with lemon juice. Like apple cider vinegar, fleas don't like the taste and smell of lemon juice and so won't go near your pet. Dip a pet comb or brush in lemon juice before you use it. You can repeat the use of lemon juice every day or every time you brush the animal's hair.
Remember, you should use lemon juice on your pet regularly, as this ingredient won't kill fleas
Step 5. Use products with or without a veterinarian's prescription so that eradication efforts can be effective and get maximum results
This can be a flea collar, eye drops, or oral medication. Products that can be obtained without a prescription are sometimes effective, but many fail. So, it's best if you use prescription medications as directed by your veterinarian to suit the pets you have. Make sure you follow the directions carefully when using directly applied products.
Anti-flea necklaces containing only IGR (insect growth regulators) are usually not strong enough to prevent infestation. Drops are usually less irritating and more effective over time
Method 2 of 3: Getting Rid of Fleas from Home
Step 1. Wash all bedding to kill any attached fleas
Collect sheets, pillowcases, rugs, and blankets. Put everything in a washing machine that is set to warm or hot. Next, put it in the dryer and set it on the heat setting until it dries completely. For added safety, repeat the washing process.
- Wash and dry all pet bedding as well. Even though the instructions say that the equipment must be washed in cold water, you should still use hot water to kill the lice and their eggs.
- If the bed covers are unsalvageable, or are full of dirt, dander, or nits, throw them away and replace them with new ones.
Step 2. Vacuum the entire floor in the house to remove fleas and eggs
While the bed covers are being washed, vacuum all the rooms in the house. Treat all floors, whether they are covered in carpet, tile, or wood planks. Use a small muzzle attachment to vacuum hard-to-reach and narrow-angle areas.
- Before vacuuming, clean up any debris on the floor so they don't get in your way.
- When moving to another room, take the vacuum cleaner bag or tube outside and throw its contents in the trash. This reduces the chances of spreading flea eggs or larvae throughout the house.
- Vacuuming can also help lift carpet fibers, which will make it easier for you to apply a flea repellent so that it can penetrate into the floor.
Step 3. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the infested surface as a natural method of getting rid of fleas
Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from crushed small stones. This material can dehydrate fleas quickly and kill fleas and their larvae if sprinkled on an infested surface. How to use it, sprinkle diatomaceous earth on surfaces such as carpets and floors after you vacuum and wash all bedding. Next, let the diatomaceous earth stay in there for at least 3 days before you vacuum it.
- For 30 days, you should reuse diatomaceous earth once a week to make sure all the fleas are dead.
- Make sure you use organic diatomaceous earth that is safe for food (food grade) so that it does not contain non-natural ingredients.
- You can get food-safe diatomaceous earth online or at a farm store.
Step 4. Spray insecticide all over the house if the problem doesn't go away
Choose a product that contains IGR (to kill eggs, larvae, and pupae) and adult repellent (to kill adult fleas). Read and follow the instructions on the packaging carefully before, during and after you use it. Ask everyone to leave the house (including pets) for a few hours after spraying or until the insecticide has completely dried.
- The IGR products commonly used are pyriproxyfen and methoprene. The most commonly used adult pest control product is permethrin.
- An aerosolized insecticide is usually easier to use by hand because it allows you to target problem areas.
- In general, the fumigation method is not very effective because it cannot target specific areas and cannot penetrate deep into the floor.
Step 5. Continue home treatment for a few weeks until the fleas are gone
After washing the bedding, vacuuming and using flea repellant on the affected surfaces, you may still see fleas in your home because these insects have just hatched and grown. That's why it's so important to continue home remedies for a few weeks by continuing to vacuum regularly and using natural flea repellents such as diatomaceous earth.
If using insecticides, you may not need to re-spray after doing it the first time. Always follow the instructions given, and do not use more than the recommended amount
Method 3 of 3: Getting Rid of Ticks in the Yard
Step 1. Focus on tackling shady areas of the yard frequented by pets
Fleas breed well in dark and damp environments. You can usually find them in places where dogs frequent to play, run, or rest. You don't need to tackle the entire yard, especially the areas that get a lot of sun. Fleas do not like dry and sunny areas.
If you want to check whether your yard has fleas or not, try walking around in white socks. If you have fleas on your socks, it's possible that the page has fleas
Step 2. Remove objects scattered around the yard that can create humidity and shade
These could be fallen twigs or leaves, scraps of grass clippings, or any tools lying there. By cleaning them, you can reduce the breeding ground for fleas.
Step 3. Spray the lawn with an insecticide to get rid of the fleas in it
Use an insecticide designed for the outdoors and containing an adult insecticide and an IGR (insect growth regulator), to prevent flea eggs from hatching and larvae from growing for several months. Most outdoor repellents can be attached to a hose to be sprayed on the infested area. All you need to do is spray the insecticide on a shady area where your pet can play and lie down, or a dark, very damp area. Follow the instructions for use carefully and repeat as necessary.
- Do not come near the yard for a certain period of time after you have sprayed.
- You may have to re-spray the insecticide when it is dry, as water can reduce its effectiveness. If in doubt, read the instructions on the package of the insecticide product.
Step 4. Call a professional exterminator if you need help applying an insecticide
If you are reluctant to spray your lawn with insecticide, contact a professional exterminator. Contact your local government for recommended extermination services. Before an exterminator comes to work on your home, ask them what type of treatment it will do and how much it will cost.
Step 5. Spread cedar chips in the yard to help prevent the return of fleas
Fleas do not like the smell of cedar chips. So, cedar shingles spread on the lawn can be used as an additional preventive tool. Spread the cedar chips around the shrubs and trees in your yard, or use them along the path for a walk.
Cedar tatals can be purchased online, in farm stores, or in department stores
Tips
- If your dog plays with other dogs, let the owner know of a potential flea problem. If they also make an effort to get rid of the fleas, this can prevent the fleas from spreading again and again.
- The number of fleas will decrease if you clean the house regularly.
