When you first hear the word fleas you probably think about your pets. After all, we’ve all seen images of dogs covered in bites and scratches thanks to a flea infestation. Eliminating fleas in your home is one way of looking after your pets. But, it should be noted, while fleas generally prefer animals, they can also target humans.
This happens when the pets have been treated but your house still has fleas or when there are simply too many fleas. You’ll start to notice itchy marks on your legs, usually no higher than the knee.
The problem with fleas is that they lay a lot of eggs, resulting in a lot more fleas. It can appear as though you have killed them all and then the new eggs hatch and the problem starts all over again. This is particularly true if you have carpeted floors as you’re giving the fleas the perfect place to hide themselves and their eggs.
If you have an infestation it is best to find out more info about your local specialist and let them handle the problem for you. In addition, you can learn the best techniques for preventing the return of the fleas.
Flea Treatments
The most obvious way to prevent fleas is to visit your vet or local store and purchase flea treatments. These are usually administered via a pipette and a few drops of liquid are placed at the bottom of their neck/top of their back.
It’s effective, especially if you get ones from the vets which tend to be stronger.
Vacuum Daily
If you want to prevent fleas you need to vacuum daily. Specifically, you need to tackle carpeted areas as these are where fleas and their eggs are most likely to be. Simply vacuum on the normal setting and you’ll suck up any fleas and eggs, breaking the cycle.
It takes several days to eliminate them in this way but vacuuming daily is a great way to prevent an infestation from starting.
To help kill any fleas or eggs, sprinkle the carpet with baking soda and brush it to make sure the soda gets to the bottom of the piles. This will suffocate and kill the fleas and eggs, allowing you to vacuum them up a few moments later.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a good way of killing fleas already on your dogs as they suffocate. The aroma can also prevent fleas from jumping onto the dog.
All you have to do is add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle of water. It’s best to choose oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or citronella. These are the most effective.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is actually very good for your dog. It will help to regulate their pH levels. As a side-effect of this, the dog is likely to be less appealing to fleas, they simply don’t like the taste.
You can dilute several tablespoons of vinegar in water and spray your dog. Or, if you prefer, you can add a teaspoon to a bowl of drinking water and they can ingest it. It’s surprisingly effective.
Tammie~