If you get a case of the itchies just thinking about fleas, the last thing you want to do is actually invite them into your home. Wondering how to keep them out? You’re not alone. Fortunately, these tips can help.
It Starts With a Pet: While non-pet parents can certainly end up with a flea infestation, those who own pets are far more likely to do so. Dealing with fleas starts with your pet. Your best bet is to talk to your vet to get a flea control medication that works for your pet, but there are flea shampoos and other over-the-counter products that can take care of fleas, as well. It doesn’t stop there, though. You not only need to treat your pet (and retreat as prescribed on the medication), but you’ll also need to carefully wash your pet’s bedding on the hottest possible setting. Remember that if you have more than one pet in the house, they can all get infested pretty quickly, even the tiniest pets like hamsters. So it’s important to act quickly so the infestation doesn’t spread.
Clear the Clutter: It’s a bit difficult to get rid of the flea infestation if your house is full of stuff that you can’t clean or vacuum around. Get rid of the clutter as soon as possible. Be sure that you don’t miss cluttered spaces like under beds and other furniture, as fleas and eggs can hang out there too.
Clean the Floor: One of the best things you can do if you have a flea problem or you’re looking to keep one out of your home is to vacuum or sweep and mop on a regular basis. You’ll not only help to eliminate the living fleas, but their eggs as well. You should do this each day if the infestation is particularly large. Otherwise, try to do it a few times each week.
Once you know you have an infestation on your hands, the best thing you can do is contact your local pest control professional. They’ll be able to further advise you as to the best course of action. In some cases, green pest control options may still be possible. If the infestation is more serious though, chemical controls may have to come in to play.
A word of caution – using the off-the-shelf solutions that you may find in your local hardware store just aren’t going to do it for a serious infestation. Often they can’t kill all of the fleas you see or they won’t be able to stop the eggs from hatching in your home. Either way, it can be dangerous as well as a waste of money. Instead, professional pest control help is the best way to go.