Content
- How do I know if I have fleas at home?
- How to eliminate fleas from the environment: deworming and cleaning
- Eliminate fleas from your dog and/or cat
- Animal spaces and objects
- House cleaning
- How to eliminate fleas from clothing?
- Products to kill fleas inside homes
- Does ammonia kill fleas?
- Are there flea traps?
- Home remedies to get rid of fleas at home
- 1. Neem oil
- 2. Cedar Bark
- 3. Apple or white vinegar
- 4. Aromatic plants
- 5. Lavender and olive oil
- How to eliminate fleas on a land
Fleas can infest dogs and cats and then settle on rugs, floors, sofas and virtually any space. You may be able to find fleas at home even if you don't have pets, as they cling to our clothes and shoes.
Either way, fleas become a problem due to the bites and the diseases they can transmit. For this reason, in this article by PeritoAnimal, we explain çhow to get rid of fleas in houses with several effective methods. Good reading!
How do I know if I have fleas at home?
detect fleas it's easy, but you need to know the signs you should look for. First, watch your pet and check if it has the following signals:
- constant itching
- Hairless body areas
- White or black residues on the coat similar to dust or dirt. White dots indicate larvae in the fur, while black dots are flea droppings.
If you don't have animals but suspect the presence of fleas, pay attention to the following:
- Samples of stings on the skin: mosquito bites are isolated, that is, only one bite appears, while fleas are seen in groups of three.
- Small insects crawling around your sofa or rug. Fleas survive a week without feeding, so they stay in these places, waiting for a host.
Now that you know how to identify the problem, take a step-by-step guide to getting rid of fleas indoors below.
How to eliminate fleas from the environment: deworming and cleaning
Before applying products to eliminate fleas at home, you need to carry out a deep cleaning of spaces and objects, as well as deworm your animals in case they suffer an infestation.
Eliminate fleas from your dog and/or cat
Depending on the age and size of your dog, cat, hamster, rabbit or any other flea-affected pet, you will need to apply repellent products formulated for it.
There are commercial products such as pipettes, collars or pills, as well as homemade flea repellents. Check with your veterinarian or with the pet supply store for the most suitable brand. Also, follow the instructions for use to the letter.
Eliminating fleas from your dog or cat is the first step to getting rid of fleas at home. Do this away from your belongings, preferably in a room where you can protect your pet while following cleaning recommendations. Even so, don't forget to establish a deworming schedule to prevent future infestations.
Animal spaces and objects
An antiparasitic product will not be effective without thoroughly cleaning the bedding, blankets, toys, food containers, combs and spaces where your pet spends more time. This deep cleaning must be done on the same day as the application of the antiparasitic product for greater effectiveness.
For eliminate fleas from the bed and other fabric objects, vacuum a few times with an emphasis on the seams. Then use a steamer and finally put all the clothes in the washing machine and run two cycles with hot water.
Plastic and metal objects should be cleaned thoroughly with hot water and a detergent safe for your pet.
House cleaning
Vacuuming furniture, rugs and floors It is essential for removing flea eggs and larvae. Put special emphasis under or behind objects as well as in corners. Once the whole house has been vacuumed, close the vacuum bag and throw it away. Then wash the floor with a part of water and a part of bleach. Of course, keep your animals away as there is a risk of poisoning. And if you prefer not to use this product, use enzymatic products, as the result will be the same and are not as harmful to the animals, in case of any contact - which should still be avoided.
As with your dog's or cat's objects, use the vaporizer to eliminate fleas from bedding and carpets. All household linen should be washed in a washing machine twice using hot water.
How to eliminate fleas from clothing?
In the same way as you need to clean furniture and carpets, you need to do a good cleaning of clothes that may have been in contact with fleas. The method is the same, vacuum and double wash. Obviously, keep an eye on the water temperature because not all clothes can be washed in hot water.
Once the cleaning is finished, it is time to use different products to permanently eliminate fleas from the environment. Below, we present natural remedies and simple methods of application.
Products to kill fleas inside homes
On the market there are products to kill fleas in the environment, however, are not the most advisable when animals and children live in the house, due to their aggressiveness and toxicity. Now, if there are no animals or if you have the opportunity to leave them for a few days somewhere else, the most effective products to get rid of fleas at home are:
- Insecticide in special spray for fleas.
- Special liquid insecticide for fleas.
- Environmental anti-interference spray.
Does ammonia kill fleas?
Yes, like bleach, ammonia is a flea-killing product. However, it is an aggressive product that can be replaced by natural remedies less harmful. In addition, it is important to emphasize that both ammonia and bleach are products that encourage dogs to urinate indoors. This is because the dog's urine contains ammonia and, when using it for cleaning, the animal may find that another dog has marked its territory, causing it to mark again.
Are there flea traps?
Yes, there are also flea traps that allow you to attract and trap them, however, we prefer those remedies designed to scare them away and drive them away.
to end flea infestation of large proportions, the most recommendable is to look for specialized professionals so that they can be in charge of eliminating it. But if you prefer natural remedies, read on!
Home remedies to get rid of fleas at home
Using flea repellents and products that eliminate eggs and larvae is essential to getting rid of fleas indoors. However, as we've said, commercial products are sometimes very toxic to pets and even to people themselves. For this reason we advise you to choose home and natural remedies less harmful to members of the household, but fatal to parasites. We recommend the following methods:
1. Neem oil
The neem is a tree that grows in tropical areas and has insecticidal properties, as it prevents many species from completing their development. For that reason, it is effective in eliminating flea larvae and eggs.
Pour a spoonful of this oil into half a liter of water and place in a spray bottle. Spray rugs, furniture and kitchen surfaces. Repeat the procedure every five days for two weeks, after a deep cleaning. It is a great option to eliminate fleas from the environment.
2. Cedar Bark
Cedar is a popular tree due to the smell of its trunk, a property that has been used since ancient times to repel insects, which is why it is among the most effective flea repellents.
Take a few pieces of bark and place them under and behind your furniture, this way you'll ward off those irritating external parasites. You must use this method in conjunction with others for it to be effective.
3. Apple or white vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a popular ingredient in every class of home remedies and cleansers. The way to use vinegar for fleas is mix one part with water and scrub the floor with the solution.
In addition, vinegar works to eliminate your dog's fleas and can be used as a preventative antiparasitic method by mixing with your regular shampoo. For more details, don't miss the article Vinegar for Fleas on Dogs - Home Remedy.
4. Aromatic plants
Aromatic plants serve as a flea repellent, as the odors they emit are unbearable for them and other insects such as flies and mosquitoes. We recommend placing plants in several places, including near doors and windows. basil, citronella, lavender, mint, mint, chamomile or thyme.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most used homemade flea-killing tricks at home because of its effectiveness and because it allows you to keep the house smelling pleasant at all times. Now, remember that some of these smells are awful for dogs, so if you live with one, try opting for ones that are less unbearable for your furry friend.
5. Lavender and olive oil
Another way to eliminate fleas from the environment is through one of the most used oils in the world, olive oil. So you can make another repellent using lavender oil and olive oil. Put in a spray bottle half a liter of water, 10 drops of lavender oil and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Shake to mix and spray your home with the preparation.
This and the rest of home remedies to kill fleas indoors should be applied after deworming and cleaning deep. After 2 weeks, repeat the cleaning and add new home remedies to eliminate any remaining fleas. If within 4 weeks the problem persists, you should seek out a specialist to fumigate the house.
With these methods we answer the question of how to eliminate fleas at home. But what to do to get rid of garden fleas? Come on!
How to eliminate fleas on a land
Eliminating fleas from your patio, garden or land is an important step to completely removing them from your home. You'll notice there are fleas in your garden if you look at insects this way: put on white socks and walk around your yard. If there are fleas, they will get trapped in the fabric.
So how to eliminate fleas on a land? follow these steps:
- mow the lawn and eliminate the weeds.
- rake all spaces.
- discard dead leaves, the dry branches and the result of pruning in airtight bags.
- If there are doghouses in the garden, do a thorough cleaning.
- Spray concrete floors and areas with neem oil or apple cider vinegar, taking care not to soak the plants.
- plant aromatic plants to keep fleas away.
With these simple steps, fleas will leave your garden and your home.
Below is a video that might interest you: 4 home remedies against ticks on dogs:
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