Flea Control at Home: An Overview

There is no worse yard condition than a flea infestation. These vexing vampires are small and vicious, reproducing at such an alarming rate that their species may appear immortal. This disease-carrying, pet-attacking pest is always eager to enter your home, and if they have taken over your garden, they are already too close.

Because immediate action is required, here are a few different methods to rid yourself of fleas before you are forced to flee. But first....

What Causes a Flea Infestation?

Fleas are seasonal, and they adore hot weather. As a result, they are more likely to be seen in the summer. They are parasites, which means they require a host to survive.

Consider your pet. Your cat or dog not only provides them with blissful body heat and plenty of fur to hide in, but also with all the food they require.

Fleas, on the other hand, can survive without a host. They also like to live in your carpet or your clothes. They can jump very high, so it isn't a problem for them to jump on you, suck all the blood they need for the day, and then disappear into the carpet.

A flea infestation can begin with just one flea. It can even begin with just one egg. Flea eggs are typically sticky, but once dry, they can roll around and end up almost anywhere.

And they're tiny - the size of a grain of salt.

They couldn't be seen until they hatched and began a population of thousands. You don't even need a pet for this to happen.

How to Avoid Flea Infestation

The best way to combat a flea infestation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are a few critical steps you can take to accomplish this.

Flea Control for Your Pet

The best thing you can do is treat your pet for fleas on a regular basis. Consult a veterinarian about how frequently you should do it. It all depends on the type of pet you have, and you will most likely have to do it more frequently if you allow your pet to roam outside.

Also see: How do I tell if my dog has fleas?

More information: How to Protect Your Pets from Flea Treatment Poisoning

Flea Control in the Home

Because it is impossible to prevent a tiny flea egg from entering your home, the best thing you can do is keep any strange, flea-infested animals out.

• Fill in any gaps You should be especially wary of mice or rats because such a secondary surprise is always possible.
• Planks that have rotted should be replaced. If your home is mostly made of wood, rotting weak points would be ideal for any critter looking for shelter.
• Keep garbage hidden. Garbage includes not only plastic wrappers, but also food waste. And food is the simplest way to attract wild animals.
• Remove bird feeders Bird feeders not only feed birds, but also any other hungry animal.
• Never leave pet food outside. Not only is it food for everything that moves, but the strong odor of dog and cat food can attract animals from a long distance away.

Yard Flea Prevention

Unfortunately, even if your yard is overgrown with food, your home may still be in danger. No one is telling you to give up your vegetable garden. However, here is what you can do:

• Cut the grass;
• Trim the foliage;
• Water on a regular basis.
• Use natural flea control methods.

More information: How Do I Naturally Get Rid of Fleas in My Garden?

How to Get Rid of House Fleas

Once you've determined that your home is infested with fleas, you'll need to treat the entire property with a chemical.

• Take care of your pet First and foremost, treat the obvious victim of the infestation. There are numerous anti-flea products available for pets.
• Take your pet out of the house. After treatment, find a pet sitter or give it to friends or family. You don't want fleas to bite him again.
• Vacuum your entire home from top to bottom. Carpets, furniture, and drapes are all examples of items that can serve as a flea breeding ground. When you're finished, remember to throw away the bag.
• Launder all clothing and bedding. Temperatures above 90°F will kill any remaining bacteria.
• Make use of a fogger Foggers, also known as "flea bombs," are commercial products used to control a flea infestation. They contain poisonous chemicals, so use them with caution. You should always wear a mask, and it's a good idea to have the rest of the family do so as well. It is preferable for the pet to remain somewhere else for a few more weeks, just in case.
• Obtain the services of a professional exterminator. Finally, if you don't want to do it all yourself, you can always hire a professional flea control service. A flea treatment procedure is usually completed in a single visit. In addition, the professionals can provide you with a guarantee for the next three months.

How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally

Pitting fleas against their predators is the most natural flea treatment. This is especially useful in gardens. Red ants would consume all of the fleas, but they would also destroy your garden. However, there are a few other beneficial insects that eat bothersome insects like fleas and aphids while not harming your garden.

• Nematodes Nematodes are microscopic worms found in soil. They can reduce the flea population by 80% in 24 hours by moving through the soil.
• Ladybugs Ladybugs consume aphids, mites, mealy bugs, and fleas as food. A mature ladybug is one of the most ferocious predators in the insect world, consuming up to 60 insects per day.
• Spiders Spiders eat almost anything, including fleas, but this also means they can select other foods to eat. For example, they prefer larger prey such as flies. So, while they are useful, you should not rely solely on them.

Planting herbs that act as natural flea repellents is another good idea.

• Chrysanthemum Not only is it a lovely flower, but it is also an effective flea, cockroach, ant, tick, silverfish, and lice repellent.
• Lavender Aside from fleas, it repels moths, scorpions, and mosquitoes.
• Spearmint Fleas, moths, ants, beetles, rodents, and aphids are all repelled.

It is best to combine both beneficial insects and repelling plants for the best results. Just keep in mind that the plants may also repel some of the "good" insects.

Carpet Flea Treatment at Home

To get rid of fleas in your carpet, you can try a do-it-yourself alternative to the chemical treatment that professionals would otherwise recommend.

• Begin by sprinkling salt on the surface. Flea eggs' worst nightmare is salt. It would kill them in minutes by drying them out.
• Create an environmentally friendly spray solution. Combine water, vinegar, and a few drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle.
• Using a spray bottle, apply the solution to your salted carpet. This will quickly eliminate fleas from your carpet. However, you can be certain that no survivors will be left looking for another place to stay - your couch, your bed, or anything else they deem suitable. So, unless you want to go through the same thing over and over, you may need to call a professional at some point.

Summer is quickly approaching. Don't let fleas infest your pets, home, or yard. You can turn these blood-sucking pests into nothing more than fleeting memories with some hard work and professional assistance.