Meet the Pest
You need to understand fleas in order to know how to kill fleas. You already know that they make you itch, and creep you out, but did you also know that they feed on the blood of live animals and can live in your carpeting and bedding for 200 days? How about the fact that fleas can lay dormant for over a year, just waiting for the right moment to wake and turn into an adult! As if that wasn't enough (and oh, it is more than enough for me) carpet fleas and other house fleas may also harbor diseases that cause everything from skin rashes and typhus to parasites like tapeworms. Are you scratching yet?
Bed & Breakfast
You love your pet which may be why you want to learn how to get rid of fleas. Unfortunately, fleas love your pet too, Fluffy provides a flea with a comfy, cozy place to live and breed as well as being a tasty food source (blood). Once fleas attach to your pet they soon find wonderful places in your home to set up shop as well; like animal bedding, throw rugs, and pile carpet. Then you and your family become a secondary snack for the jumping pests and the itching begins.
Quit Bugging Me!
By now you are more than ready to learn how to get rid of fleas. Here are some do-it-yourself pest control tips that are your first line of defense when battling a flea infestation. Quarantine infested pets or send them off to the vet for a proper flea bath.
- While Fido is away, collect all bedding, rugs, etc and wash them in soapy water. This includes any bedding your pet may use outdoors. Soapy water kills the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Make sure none of the eggs or larvae fall off while you are carrying the laundry.
- Vacuum everything and everywhere. Remove the vacuum bag when you are done, seal it in a bigger bag and toss it out.
- Next, an insecticidal carpet shampoo will likely rid you of any remaining fleas. To be certain, you can also have a pest control professional come in and apply infrared heat to the carpet ensuring that the larvae and eggs are killed.
- Continue this extermination process by washing yourself daily and using a comb to make certain nobody is hiding out. Do the same for your pets and keep them indoors as much as possible.
Good Riddance
Once the flea infestation is eliminated from your home you still need to know how to get rid of fleas invading your yard and keep them off of your pets. If you believe your yard is swarming with fleas as well, there are several extermination options you can used to remove the pests.
- DE or diatomaceous earth is a safe and all natural substance made from algae that won't harm pets or children. Just sprinkle it all over your yard. You can buy it from local health food stores.
- Periodically flooding the yard is another do-it-yourself pest control technique. Not only will the water kill most of the fleas, the water also washes away the larvae's food source.
- Nematodes are a surprising third option. These beneficial creatures feed on the flea larvae, but cause no damage to humans, pets or plants.
- Of course when researching how to get rid of fleas you aregoing to come across a variety of pesticides. Insecticides should be used in areas most frequented by the fleas with applications taking place every 2-3 weeks during the dry season. Don't forget to cover yourself to prevent any dive-bombing fleas from trying to attach themselves to you. And always be careful when using chemicals.