One of the problems that pet lovers often encounter is having fleas sneaking all around the house. Fleas are small, flightless parasites that feed on warm-blooded animals' blood. Some species even transmit diseases to their host, so they are not welcome in anyone's house.
Apart from biting humans, some of these pests transmit the rare bubonic plague. Watch out if your dog or cat scratches often, and if you see small black insects jumping from the sofa. It could be time for you to follow these 5 steps on how to get rid of fleas in house.
Call the vet
Ask your vet for recommendations about treating flea from egg to adult bug. Make sure to choose one that works for the current climate. Most treatments only take one month to get rid of fleas. If your pet is in a treatment program, ask if there is any other method.
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Make good use of the vacuum cleaner
People who vacuum their house regularly get fewer fleas and eggs from curtains, cracks in wood floors, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Vacuum targets even those fleas under the furniture. Make sure to vacuum places where your pet eats and sleeps. Throw away garbage bags right after you use your vacuum to prevent them from crawling back.
It would be useful to vacuum everyday especially in areas where you and your pet always hang out. Steam clean your home for a serious flea invasion. Do take note that heat does not kill the eggs so you should repeat it once the eggs hatch. For the worst-case scenario, call the exterminator.
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Wash beddings in hot, soapy water
To kill fleas, wash your pet's beddings with hot, soapy water. Do so with your children's beddings if they sleep with your pet.
Use a flea comb on your pet
The tiny teeth of a flea comb are effective at removing fleas from your pet. Focus on the neck part and the base of the tail and do it outside. Dip the comb in hot, soapy water to drown the fleas.
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Give your pet a bath
Use any soap while giving your pet a bath to kill fleas from your pet. Make sure that the soap you use is safe for dogs and cats. Citrus, cinnamon, clove, limonene, geranium, tea tree, and lavender oils cause problems with pets. You should know too that bay, linalool, rue, eucalyptus, and pennyroyal are not safe for them.
You may use a little bit of cedarwood, lemongrass, thyme, rosemary, and peppermint with your cats and dogs.
