Flea Bites

Flea Bites on Humans and Pets

Archives for November 2021

How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Carpet

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Do you have fleas in your home? You may want to learn how to get rid of fleas in the carpet. In this article, we will show you all the fantastic ways to do that effectively.

Fleas are troublesome pests that can be difficult to get rid of from home. Getting them out of the house needs repeated treatments that seem like there is no end. Removing fleas from carpets is one of the most challenging areas in your home. Therefore, you have to be extra careful about the methods you use. In this article, we will teach you how to get rid of fleas in carpet and prevent them from returning.

How to get rid of fleas in carpet

1.     Cleaning

The first step is to vacuum your carpet with care and attention. Ensure you divide your room into sections when vacuuming so you can thoroughly clean each spot. Concentrate at the corners of your room and around baseboards, furniture, and entryways. You should also focus on dark and humid areas, which are preferable hiding spots for fleas. You may need to vacuum repeatedly every 10 to 14 days. Remember to dispose of the vacuum back properly to prevent fleas from coming back into your home.

2.     Steam Cleaning

You can also consider steam cleaning your carpets. This is one of the most effective, non-toxic way to get rid of fleas. Steam cleaning kills both fleas and their eggs by unleashing high temperatures. You can do it yourself, but it is better to hire a steam cleaning company.

3.     Insecticides

You can also use insecticides to kill fleas. Look for insecticides that are pet safe but keep your pets and kids away when applying to be extra safe. You should also pay attention to the instructions on the label to use them appropriately. Nevertheless, insecticides kill adult fleas and not eggs. Hence, you may have to reapply after a few weeks. We highly recommend getting a specialist to apply the insecticides for you. As a novice, you can put you and your family in harm’s way if you misuse the insecticides.

4.     Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas

Food-grade diatomaceous earth can also be used to get rid of fleas in carpet. Make sure you vacuum before application. Sprinkle the substance over your carpets and use a brush to help the dust immerse deeply into the carpets. Allow the dust to stand in place for about three to five days before vacuuming.

Wrapping up

To answer your question – how to get rid of fleas in carpet, vacuum repeatedly and pick from steam cleaning, diatomaceous earth, and insecticides. Many methods can be used, but these are the most effective options for your carpets. Nevertheless, if you have pets, make sure you treat them for fleas, as well as the rest of your home. You should consider getting a professional to help you; they know how and where to find these fleas and the best methods that work.

How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Car

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Did your furry friend bring fleas into your car? No worries, in this article we will discuss how to get rid of fleas in car.

Taking your little friend on a joy ride to the park or anywhere else is fun. However, having fleas in your car, as a result, is disheartening. Flea infestations take a lot of time and effort to eradicate. Nevertheless, you you cannot ignore them, because fleas spread rapidly and become too troublesome. Therefore, here are the steps you must take to get rid of fleas from your car

How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Car

1.     Get rid of fleas from your environment

The first step would be to eliminate insects from your environment. You can begin by identifying areas of infestation in your home, yard, and even the office. Afterward, call the experts to help you kill fleas around your home, yard, and surroundings.

2.      Treat your pets

Talk to your vet about the best flea treatments suitable for your pet. These medications may come in pill forms, sprays, or pet collars. Before visiting your vet, you can give your pet a bath with dish soap and water to kill all adult fleas and dislodge eggs, larvae, and droppings. You can also run a flea comb before the shower to remove more fleas from your pets.

Dog and Cat

3.      Treating your car for fleas

After you have eliminated fleas from your pets and home, the next step is to remove fleas from your car. This approach demands multiple levels, proper attention, and patience. You will need to wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and disposable gloves for the task (make sure you wash clothes before taking them into your home afterward). Here are the steps you can take;

  • Remove all washable items from your car including your car mats, pet blankets, and beds and launder at high temperature
  • For items you cannot wash but can be packaged, do so and dry at high heat setting
  • Remove other detachable and check for fleas. Next, wipe those surfaces with soapy water to eliminate all possible flea droppings.
  • Using a handheld vacuum, vacuum your floor, underneath seats, and other areas in your home.
  • Next, apply an anti-flea product such as boric acid, diatomaceous earth, or flea sprays. Allow treatment to stay in place for as long as possible. For diatomaceous earth, you can allow the dust set in for a day. Flea sprays, on the other hand, can stand in for 30-60 minutes before clean up. Close the doors of your car during this time as well
  • Open the doors of your vehicle to let the air out before vacuuming again

How did fleas get into the car

Whether you have pets or not, fleas can enter your vehicle in many ways, including:

  • Taking your pet on a ride to the vet for flea treatment
  • Visiting the local park with your pets, where they might pick up fleas
  • Packing your car in a flea-infested area
  • Giving rides to anyone that has fleas

Wrapping up

So, how to get rid of fleas in car…..Eliminating fleas from your car demands killing fleas not only in your car but on your pets and surroundings. Without following this approach judiciously, the flea infestation may escalate. Nevertheless, make sure you repeat the car flea treatment within 7 to 10 days to kill all fleas entirely.

How To Get Rid Of Fleas In House

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You suspect you have unwanted guests in your home… those annoying little bloodsucking pests that can cause diseases. Do you suspect a flea infestation? Then you need these tips to help to get rid of fleas in house.

Fleas are troublesome pests and very difficult to eliminate from the home. Though they are very tiny, they can hop around easily, and their infestations spread very quickly.

If you have pets, then you may find your furry friends scratching and biting their furs uncontrollably as a sign of the infestation. Bite marks are also visible signs of flea infestation. When you suspect fleas, then you need to take proactive steps to kill them. This article will help answer how to get rid of fleas in house.

How to get Rid of Fleas in House

Eliminating fleas from your home requires a multi-step approach. You may also have to vacuum, wash all items at high heat, and de clutter your home as well. Nevertheless, before you pick any flea treatment, here are the critical things you need to know.

Exterminating Fleas from Home

Lifecycle of Fleas in House

Fleas thrive in warm climates with temperatures between 80 to 90oF and 70% humidity. In this optimal state, fleas will reach full maturity in 18 to 21 days. Nevertheless, fleas may remain as a larva for months if the atmospheric conditions are not ideal. Furthermore, flea eggs may rapidly hatch if there are vibrations from vacuums.

Population distribution

When fleas infest your home, about 95% will be flea eggs, larvae, and cocoons. Therefore, you need a flea treatment that not only kills adult fleas but these eggs, larvae, and pupae. Knowing this will help you know how to get rid of fleas in house.

Location of Fleas in House

Usually, the flea eggs larva, cocoons will be found in hidden spots around your home. As the infestation spreads, the fleas will seek areas they can hide perfectly to lay their eggs. The other 5% of fleas in your home may be found on your pets. Usually, these will be a mixture of adult fleas, and a few eggs, larva and cocoons.

DIY Versus Pros in House

Many DIY flea treatments exist, but many of them are ineffective, while others may be harmful to you and your family. A few of these treatments may not be dangerous, but you may need an unknown number of repetitions to remove fleas from your home. It is recommended to use a professional service, which includes safe and proactive methods that will eliminate fleas with only a few treatments. They can also help you set up measures to the fleas from returning soon.

Wrapping Up

To answer the question of how to get rid of fleas in house, you must take note of where and how flea infestations spread in the house. This will help you pick the right flea treatments that will work successfully. However, never postpone your flea treatments indefinitely. Flea infestations spread too fast, and the more time you wait, the harder it would take to get them out. To kill fleas, you must target all forms of fleas and look out for hiding spots. You must also treat fleas on your pets as well. Lastly, use a professional treatment approach so you can say goodbye to fleas in no time.

Home Remedy for Fleas on Cats

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If you think that your cat has fleas, then you might be looking for a home remedy for fleas on cats. In this article, we will discuss some of the best ways to kill fleas on cats naturally.

Fleas are tough parasites that are very hard to kill. When they infest the home, getting them out can be very difficult. Fleas ingest the blood from warm-blooded animals. They can feed on humans but usually prefer cats and dogs to humans. A single female flea lays over 50 eggs daily. Therefore, a small infestation may soon become severe if it is not handled immediately. To help you deal with fleas on your pet, here are insights on the right home remedy for fleas on cats.

Nevertheless, make sure you consult with your veterinarian before trying out any of these remedies.

1.     Use a flea comb

Cat Flea

First, make sure you are dealing with fleas and if these pests are living on your cat, by using the steps below:

  • Look for signs of movements within the cat’s furs. If you find tiny bugs jumping around, then you may have a flea infestation.
  • Using a fine-toothed metal comb, skim across your cat from head to tail at different times of the day to remove fleas and their eggs.
  • Another way to identify the infestation is by looking for dark specks that look like grounded pepper within her furs.

2.     Use a lemon spray

Lemon can kill fleas and prevent them from hopping back on, but you must ensure that you do not use too much of it. Some cats are sensitive to lemon, so you must lookout for any signs of irritations or redness. Prepare the lemon spray by boiling one lemon in a pint of water. Set the liquid aside to sit overnight before you strain and transfer into a spray bottle. Now, spray your cat’s furs with the solution. Make sure you avoid the eyes. You can also use a flea comb dipped in the lemon water to brush through her coat. This kills bugs and helps soothe itchy flea bites.

3.     Apple Cider Vinegar

Fleas dislike apple cider vinegar; you can use apple cider vinegar as an excellent repellent. Mix two parts of apple cider vinegar to 1 part of water and sprinkle around your cat’s furs. You may have to do this treatment more than once to get rid of fleas from your cat’s coat entirely.

4.     Lavender and Chamomile tea

Diluted lavender or chamomile tea can also be used to kill fleas and repel them. They are also known for alleviating the itchy sensations of fleabites. Apply the liquid of the Lavender or Chamomile to your cat’s furs as much as you want daily to eliminate fleas and soothe her coats.

Although these home remedies might work for your cat, some cats are extra sensitive. Therefore, never try them out without talking to your vet first. Besides, make sure you also deal with the infestation around your home. Getting rid of fleas from your cats without doing a complete flea treatment for your home only defeats the purpose; the fleas will hop back on once the treatment fades out. Call the professionals and pick the best route to get rid of your flea problem for good.

Are Fleas Visible?

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The chances are that if your dog has been restless for a while now, it may be because of some flea bites. As they are quite itchy, they can cause your pet to scratch incessantly and be uncomfortable. If you have noticed this, now is the time to start searching for those pests. But, are fleas visible? Can you even find them?

There are a few facts you should consider before trying to answer the question in the previous paragraph. You can only argue about the existence of fleas if they’re making you (or your pet) uncomfortable. Some people believe that they do not exist.

This belief may be due, in part, to the fact that they’ve not suffered from fleas infestation. Sadly, this belief is not true. Here are a few facts to prove this:

  • Fleas are wingless parasites that survive by depending on their hosts for food – usually blood. These insects, however, do not feed on blood alone
  • Fleas can go about a month without feeding on your pet. For survival, they will depend on body waste and dirt in the environment
  • A female flea lays up to 35 eggs in one day. These eggs can be laid directly on a host or in the host’s environment
  • With their strong hind legs, they can jump over 500 feet at once. This is what enables them to hop onto moving hosts
  • In our world today, there are over 2,000 species of fleas
  • Fleas are not limited to pets alone. They can also migrate from feeding on pets to feeding on humans
  • While feeding, a female flea can take in as much as 15 times its body weight. And this feeding mode occurs every day.
Flea

These are more-than-enough facts to prove that fleas do exist.

Are Fleas Visible?

The answer to this question is yes. However, because of their size and their covert mode of operation, fleas are not easily noticeable. Trying to find them out is tricky; tricky, but not impossible.

Fleas do not like light. As such, they tend to hide for most of their lives. Wouldn’t make a lot of sense if they were in the open, sucking blood, would it? If they’re not spending time in your pet’s fur, they’re living in the bedding and in debris around your environment.

You will also find them in grasses and on sidewalks – where they can easily hop onto their next target. These are the places where they spend most of their time. And if you’ll find them, you have to look very closely. You have to pay close attention.

You can find out fleas in two ways:

  • By searching for them
  • By looking out for signs of their existence
  • By Searching for Them

If you have a pet that shuffles in between spending time on your sofa and playing fetch in the woods, the chances are that you may have a few fleas to deal with in your home. And to make fleas visible, you have to search them out actively.

Some of their favorite spots have been mentioned above. While some of these are unreachable (the cracks in the floor), others (the grass, the debris) are easily accessible. Search them out carefully. If you have dogs, you may want to comb their fur slowly and thoroughly to find these parasites.

What exactly does a flea look like?

They’re usually between 2-4 millimeters long. They’re wingless and have mandibles with which they pierce the skin of their victims. A flea has hair-like bristles on its bodies and legs. They are dark brown.

By Looking Out for Signs of Their Existence

There are several signs you can watch out for to determine if fleas exist in a particular area.

If you have noticed itchy bumps around your legs and feet, the chances are that you’ve suffered flea bites. A flea bite can also cause skin irritation.

If your pet has been scratching itself incessantly in recent times, that’s a possible sign of fleas. These parasites can cause your pets to be uncomfortable, making them lick or bite themselves incessantly to soothe areas where they’ve suffered flea bite.

If all of these are happening, you should start preparing to deal with fleas by using DIY methods or by calling the pest exterminators.

In summary?

Fleas do way more harm than good. If they’re not handled well, they can spread and cause an infestation that will make life difficult for you. Have you ever wondered and asked, “Are fleas visible?” Now you know better and should take action as swiftly as possible, where necessary.

Keep Fleas Away

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Are you troubled about having fleas? You may want to know how to keep them away. In this article, we will discuss some applications you can try.

Fleas are problematic insects that can cause a lot of harm once they enter your home. Dealing with outbreaks is also a difficult experience because it takes weeks or even months to control. Therefore, you should consider methods to prevent them from entering your home. In this article, we will discuss how to keep them away from your home

DIY Flea Treatment

Keep your home clean and clutter-free

Although fleas are not attracted to dirt, and there is a lot to be said about keeping your home clean. Frequent vacuuming and proper disposal of the vacuum bag can help you deal with an infestation before it happens. When you vacuum, pay special attention to low traffic areas, including likely hiding spots. You can also use bleach or baking soda regularly to wipe surfaces, especially hidden corners in your home. Furthermore, keep your home clutter-free to avoid creating more hiding spots for these pests and other insects.

Launder frequently 

Wash your bedding, including pet bedding in hot water at least once a week. You should also practice drying particular items in your home at the hottest possible temperature every two weeks. This will help kill all possible fleas in those positions.

Use pet flea prevention 

If you have pets, then the risks of having fleas are higher. Talk to your vets about the best prevention strategies. Flea shampoos, dips, oral medication, and spot-on treatments are all possible ways to kill and repel. You should make this a priority during the summer and spring seasons as they are the seasons with higher risks of infestations. After visits to yards or parks with your pets, you can run a comb through their furs to eliminate any insects trapped in there. This also helps prevent them from entering your home.

Get your yard in order 

Many flea infestations begin in the yards, so your prevention strategy should bear that in mind. Keep your grass mowed and trim your shrubs regularly. You should also trim your trees regularly so that your yard gets a lot of sunshine. Be mindful of harboring wild animals in your yard. Animals like feral cats, raccoons, and opossums can bring them to your home. Make sure you eliminate all hiding spots and keep your yard free of critters. Furthermore, ensure that your shrubs are not planted too close to your home so that fleas and other insects find it harder getting into your home. 

Concluding thoughts

Fleas are nasty pests that no one wants in their home. Therefore, you can use these strategies to keep them away from your home. Bear in mind that a clean home and yard might not necessarily deter them, but they can help disrupt your infestations before they become a severe issue. Practice prevention, and you can minimize the chances of ever having fleas in your home.