Fleas And How To Get Rid Of Them
Fleas are annoying little parasitic insects which feed on the blood of the host. Fleas can make your pet itch a lot, leading to skin infections, allergies and even anemia. They even get on to humans sometimes causing itchy bumps especially around the midriff. Fleas are difficult to eradicate if not done immediately and thoroughly.
The key to effective flea control is to be fully aware about fleas and how to get rid of them. Clean pets can become infested if they come in contact with other infected pets, or even the carpet where the fleas might be hiding. Fleas feed off the pet and then jump off to the surrounding surfaces like carpets, beds, toys, and dark dusty corners. So if your pet brings home fleas one day, or if you just want to avoid the possibility of fleas, here’s what you should do. It is important to treat your pets and the house on the same day to get totally free from flea. Here are some facts about fleas and how to get rid of them.
Wash your pet’s bedding, sheets and toys once a week in hot soapy water. Soapy water kills fleas most effectively. You should also wash carpets, curtains, cushions and other material your pet comes in contact with. Keep a night lamp beside your pet’s bed and keep a bowl of soapy water below it. The fleas jump towards the light and fall into the bowl and die. Vacuum your furniture and closets regularly. Vibrations from the vacuum cleaner make the fleas to emerge, so they can get cleaned up quickly and easily. Make sure you seal and dispose the vacuum bag properly.
Some people use a homemade mix of diatomaceous earth, baking soda and cornstarch to sprinkle on rugs or put in cracks, corners or in difficult to reach places. This helps to break the life cycle of fleas. The diatomaceous earth irritates fleas, and the baking soda dehydrates them. You should ensure pets and children are not around, and should wear a mask when scattering this mixture. Wear a mask when vacuuming the areas which have been treated and please keep in mind that your children and pets are away while you use this. Do NOT apply on your pets.
Natural ways to effectively battle fleas include cedar wood shavings, walnut leaves or natural oils like lavender, rosemary, lemon grass, peppermint, tea tree or eucalyptus. Sprinkle a few drops of the oil on your pet’s bedding. If your pet refuses to use the bedding, don’t force it, instead just change the oil used. Some pets prefer lavender, while others like eucalyptus.
Heat also kills fleas, so you could dry the washed bedding using maximum heat in your dryer. If you have a yard, you should take care to remove fleas from the yard as well. Keep the grass short to let the sun warm the soil to kill the larvae.
Once you are armed with information about fleas and how to get rid of them, it will be much easier to keep your pet clean and prevent future flea infestation.
