Fleas are an annoying parasite that will bite both humans and their pets. They can be found in the grass and will jump onto cats or dogs while they’re spending time outdoors. Once your pet has fleas, it doesn’t take long for the problem to spread to other pets or even to areas of your home. Flea infestations can be very difficult to deal with. It’s important to take care of the flea problem early as this can make it much easier to control it before it gets out of hand. The following do’s and don’ts can help you take care of flea problems early and deal with infestations.
Do Protect Your Pets
Many vets recommended keeping your pets on flea prevention medication year-round, especially if you live in a mild climate. You should make sure that if you use pesticides in your yard or garden that they are pet safe. Some other flea preventative measures include: collars, topical skin treatments, and oral medications. You can find these treatments through your vet’s office, online, or in a pet supply store.
Don’t Wait
The time to take action is when you see that first flea. If your pets are bringing in fleas from your yard, you will need to get rid of the beginning of the problem. A useful tip for areas that commonly have flea issues is to flood the yard with water every so often. Flea experts explain, “this disrupts the fleas life cycle since larvae and eggs can’t survive it. Be sure to flood the whole area, especially around trees, fences, and garden furniture.” If that doesn’t help you may need to call a professional exterminator. They can find the areas where fleas live and breed to eradicate them quickly and efficiently.
Do Vacuum Frequently
When fleas start to infest your house, they will hide in carpets, cracks, furniture, and nearly any small space. According to pest control experts, “it is essential to have peace of mind in your home, and sharing your space with any type of pest, especially one that is actively harming your family members, doesn’t allow for that peace of mind. Even more so when that pest can go anywhere in your home like your bed, clothes, and closets.” Vacuuming daily will help remove the adult fleas from your floors and can also pick up the eggs, larvae, and pupae. Empty your vacuum after each use into a bag you can seal to prevent fleas from re-infesting your space.
Don’t Forget to Wash Bedding
Be sure to frequently wash your pet’s bedding during the flea removal process. Use hot water and dry on high heat. You may also need to clean your own bedding if your pets spend time on your bed.
When fleas infest your yard it can prove difficult to keep them off your pets. These parasites will get on any dog or cat while they spend time outdoors in your yard. It should be your first priority to help and protect your pet and home. You can do this by using preventative measures on your pets. Fleas can easily be spread from dog to dog. A cheap vinyl fence can easily be set up in a day and provides protection for your dog from strays.You can also call in a professional pest removal service to remove fleas from your yard or home. Taking care of the problem sooner, rather than later, will help your yard, pets, and house remain flea-free.