Fleas in your home?
You can't solve the problem without fighting the fleas in your carpets, mats and rugs
Flea life cycle |
Flea infestation |
Flea locations in your home
Getting rid of fleas on your dog
Getting rid of fleas in your carpets, mats and rugs |
Summary
Flea life cycle
Whilst fleas love to live and lay their eggs on your pets, carpets, rugs, mats, curtains and drapes, they are equally at home in your furniture such as couches, lounge suites and chairs, sofas and timber foors.
We hang curtains and drapes to keep the sun out in summer and the warm air in during winter. In doing so, we inadvertently provide a perfect haven for fleas and their off-spring to set up home - warmth and accumulated dust, year in and year out.
The accumulation of dust comes from the fact that people tend to only wash their curtains, and have their drapes professionally cleaned during an annual spring clean.
Flea infestation
Once people realise they have a flea infestation in their home their first reaction is to blame their family pet.
However, while it is true, that the fleas in your home have most probably been brought inside by your cat or dog, it is preposterous and far from the truth to blame your pets; or indeed other peoples' pets.
Cats and dogs who go outdoors without proper flea protection are cats and dogs who will eventually end up with cat or dog fleas, period!
Therefore the blame as to who caused the flea infestation lies entirely with the pets' parents. If the cap fits, YOU must wear it!
Flea locations in your home
Once fleas have made their way indoors courtesy of your pet, they don't stay long on him or her. Recents stats indicate 5% of the flea population in your home will be on your pet; the remaining 95% will be ensconced elsewhere, which of course includes your curtains and drapes.
Fleas love warm dark places to set up home and together with your dog's and your families' warm blood to feed on they are in nirvana in your home!
By their very nature they are tenacious little nasties and getting rid of them is far easier said than done. If you have an infestation you are best to over-do than under-do.
Off course it is a priority to treat your pet, but this must be done in tandem with cleaning and vacuuming your curtains and drapes; together with the remainder of your home and surrounds.
To be successful, please take a moment to read our articles on:
Fleas in BedsFleas in Curtains
Fleas in Furniture
Fleas in Lawns and Yards
Fleas on Pets
Fleas on People
Three Steps to no Fleas
Getting rid of fleas on your dog
First off bath your dog with a herbal Shampoo and ConditionerThe trick here is to lather up your pet and leave the shampoo on for a minimum of five minutes at least. Any less and you are wasting your time. Five minutes are needed to completely drown all adult fleas and kill all of the off-spring in the flea's life cycle.
Follow up after his bath with an herbal Spot-on treatment together with attaching a Flea Tag on an herbal Collar.
Getting rid of fleas in your carpets, mats and rugs
Although fleas are more likely to be a problem during warm-weather months, they can also cause problems during cooler seasons due to their ability to continue their life cycle indoors.
Carpets, mats and rugs make perfect hideouts for fleas and their off-spring to set up home. And of course family pets and our kids and ourselves provide an never ending food source for them.
Once fleas and their off-spring (eggs,larvae and cocoons) have set up camp, it is the devil's own job to get rid of them. By their very nature they are tenacious little nasties and getting rid of them is far easier said than done. If you have an infestation you are best to over-do than under-do.
Depending on how large an area and how much will you have to do a DIY job yourself and all purpose animal and kid friendly Flea Powder is an excellent way to go.
If you feel DIY is too overwhelming, ask around for word of mouth from other pet owners for a referral or Google for a credible commercial cleaner. You will find most commercial cleaners have their own favourite product for getting rid of fleas. Obviously whatever is used should be safe for children and pets to walk on afterwards.
Whether you decide to DIY or call in a professional, first off, find an area in a room; say behind the , that you could would be happy to use as a "test patch" before starting the task at hand. This way you can be confident that a good job will be done.
It is most important that a thorough clean is carried out, followed by rigorous vacuuming.
This involves moving all furniture out so no areas are overlooked. If any eggs or larvae survive your onslaught, it will only be a matter of time before they hatch and jump straight back on your pet. And the vicious cycle will start all over again.
Your most effective weapon of choice should be your vacuum cleaner. Fleas hate vacuum cleaners. In the first instance try vacuuming each and every day; once you have everything under control every alternate day should suffice.
To stop any fleas slipping the net place an herbal Flea Collar in the vacuum bag while you are usung your cleaner. After that take care to seal all full vacuum bags tightly until you can dispose of them properly off your property.
Summary
Getting rid of fleas in and around your home will take diligence on your part; this could take weeks or even months. Therefore you must take a 4-pronged approach as summarise below, other wise you wont be successful:
- Treat the fleas on your pets - we suggest bathing your dog followed by affixing an Herbal Collar and a Flea Tag
- Control the fleas inside and outside your home by using chemical free and safe flea repellants
- Be systematic and regular in your chosen method of flea repellants
- Start now!
This article and information forms part of the Carole's Doggie World Holistic Library and is presented for informational purposes only.The information is not intended to be a substitute for visits to your local vet. Instead, the content offers the reader information researched and written by Carole Curtis for www.carolesdoggieworld.com