Flea Bites

Flea Bites on Humans and Pets

Get Rid of Fleas

Kill Fleas with Soap and Vinegar

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It is essential that you exterminate these parasites for the good of your pet and your family. Fortunately, there are a lot of products you can administer to treat your home and pet but on the downside, most of these products are made with toxic chemicals that may harm your family if applied frequently.

This is why most people prefer home-made treatments that are cheap, effective and safe. Vinegar and Dawn dish soap are common ingredients you probably have lying around in your house, you can make use of them to get rid of fleas in the following ways.

Vinegar bath with Dawn soap

Fill your bath tub with warm or tepid water, add half cup of Dawn of any scent. Soak the pet in the mix, hold him in it for at least five minutes then lather with Dawn from head to tail thoroughly. After the animal is dry, groom him with a flea comb. Buy a flea comb from any pet supply shop, it is a necessary supply that every pet owner must have.

To increase the effectiveness of this routine, add half cup of Vinegar to the warm water. It has a powerful scent but that wears off in time or you add an essential oil to cover the scent and repel fleas.

Water and Vinegar Spray

Get a spray bottle, fill with water and two tablespoons of Vinegar. Use the spray before and after bathing your pet. The spray can be used on bedding, curtains, pillows and furniture. Essential oils repel fleas and they will improve the scent of your spray.

Vinegar and Dawn testing bowl

As the name implies, this technique is used in testing the presence of fleas in a home. All you must do is, fill a bowl with water, add soap and vinegar. Mix to form lather and place next to a light source. Leave overnight, if there are fleas in your home, they’ll be drowned in the water.

Vinegar mixed into pets drinking water

Use apple cider vinegar for this method. Add a spoonful of vinegar to your pet’s drinking water. However, if your pet hates the taste of vinegar, reduce the quantity but increase the number of times you give it to them. If they still refuse to drink the water, consider giving your dog or cat a vinegar pill.

Dawn for infested furniture

Fleas get dislodged on your furniture or bedding, if you want to get rid of them, make a solution of out of Dawn soap, then use that to wipe the couch. Add Dawn to mop water to clean floors. For carpets, add two drops to your steam cleaner and clean, any more and you will have way too much suds on your hands.

Avoid flea infestations

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Parasites are never good news to anyone least of all, defenseless animals. Flea infestations are terrible because they pose a serious danger to animal and humans.

 The only thing you can do is fight the insects by taking some precautions no matter what time of the year it is. Fleas like to take dogs or cats as hosts because they are furry.

Some tips on how avoid fleas

We have a lot of experience in dealing fleas, from several trials we developed effective solutions that reduces the stress of eradicating fleas.

These are tips you can take to ensure your pets never suffer an infestation.

  • Actually, adult fleas are the easiest to eradicate because lots of products made are focused on killing them, not the larvae, pupae and eggs. To reduce the number of flea larvae, remove the organic matter in rugs, furnishings or any other foods they might feed on. If they don’t have access to food, they die off.
  • Before you move into a new house, carefully and thoroughly inspect the flooring and rugs for flea dirt, larvae egg or pupae. The former owners might have left them behind.
  • If your pet is already infested, take him or her to a vet doctor for treatment. In the mean time, machine-wash the bedding at least once a week with hot water and a cup of lemon juice.
  • Reduce the amount of time your pet spends outside because non-domesticated animals around your home might be infested and the fleas may jump on your pet outdoors.
  • Vacuum the whole house everyday or at least four times a week to remove flea dirt and immature fleas.

Problem with fleas

  • The eggs are extremely small, only about 0.5mm long. Think grain of sand. This means that they are almost impossible to spot on pet beddings, rugs and other rough surfaces.
  • Fleas reproduce quickly, few fleas left uncontrolled can escalate to millions in two weeks. So, at this stage, without professional assistance it will be difficult to remove them.
  • It can stay protected in the cocoon for two years if there are no animals or humans available, unaffected. When the conditions are better, they will emerge.
  • The life cycle can last from a few weeks to two years.

Experts and other local technicians have the exact idea on how to go about solving your flea problem contact them as soon as possible. Every treatment is safe for your family and pets but you may need to vacate your home for a few days.

How to Exterminate Fleas from a Home?

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Do you need to know how to exterminate fleas from a home? The bad news about fleas is that only people see only 5% on the pets or around the house. The immature stages, eggs larvae and pupae are around the house out of sight. They are the reason why it is difficult to get rid of fleas.

In order to prevent or treat an existing flea infestation, take the following steps;

  1. Groom your pet consistently.
  2. Fog your entire home, the effects can last up to seven months which is enough time to kill off every flea – mature and immature – present in the house. Use as many foggers as will need for your home.
  3. Spray your carpet and furniture properly; this will eliminate any insect hiding between the cracks.
  4. Spray your surrounding with a recommended pesticide to eliminate fleas from it, this will prevent re-infestation. Treat again after four weeks to make sure every parasite is gone.
  5. Sweep your tiles and vacuum rugs, carpets and wooden floors. Throw out the bag containing dirt far from home to prevent the pupae from hatching close to the compound again.
  6. Keep your home clean, dirt attracts rodents and rodents can carry fleas.

More Tips

  • The pet bedding should be kept squeaky clean because the insects are likely to get end up here from the host and they can reproduce this way.  Check the stuffing also while cleaning, some might be hiding in it.
  • Clean out your pet’s toys as fleas can hide inside them.
  • Fleas cannot survive under high heat so any washing you do has to be with hot water or machine wash.
  • Capstar can be put to use to eliminate any fleas, next a preventative such as NexGard will be useful to the pet to prevent more fleas.

This list of things to do can be overwhelming but then getting rid of fleas is difficult honestly. It can take weeks to get rid of them completely. This is why every pet should be on preventatives monthly to reduce chances of flea infestation. It is important to know that there are many ways to exterminate fleas from the home and what methods work best for you.

Pet Medication

There are three medications which are usually in discussion by experts for as a preventative. Sentinel is for when the animal is likely to carry fleas and parasitic worms.

Trifexis is for when the animal does not stand any risk of having fleas; also, it is useful to prevent heart worm.

Revolution helps to prevent and treat fleas, ticks, hookworms and roundworms.

Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas

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Diatomaceous earth for fleas is a substance that has naturally occurring minerals such as calcium, silicon and magnesium, diatoms and microscopic water plants. This substance is effective in controlling fleas due to the fact that they can dry out the waxy layer of most insects not just fleas until they die; it is why they are called desiccants.

This product is a good long-term investment against flea attacks in the home and surroundings. It means you never have to worry about any infestation especially if you have dogs or cats that love to play outside. Diatomaceous earth is easy to apply and considered a miracle drug against fleas.

Application of Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth

Although D.E consists of natural substances, they are quite harmful to humans and any other living thing around there. Application is with a dust mask, gloves and goggles. Spray as directed and ensure that you read every caution written on the product container.

Spread the earth powder around doorways, baseboards, inside carpets and windows. The areas in the surrounding that should cover are entry points and foundation. Vacate your premises immediately after application so you will not inhale the toxic substance

 D.E can be purchased in any garden supply store, they are very common.

Natural Flea Remedies for Pets (Cats)

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Best Natural Flea Remedies for Pets? Flea infestation is always a concern for pet owners. All natural flea repellents are more popular than ever. Cat owners’ resort to natural methods in order to side-step the blow back from using synthetic or chemical products. So, if you are interested in finding those natural methods, these are some you can work with.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is made with one part water and two parts of apple cedar vinegar. This diluted mix can be applied in two different ways, whichever is more comfortable for you. You can use a flea comb into the mix, then groom your cat with the comb or you pour into a spray bottle and apply.

This treatment will cause the removal of yeast and allergens which are the reasons why your cats develop rashes. It will not kill the fleas on your cat but the parasites are likely to jump off. As a precaution, before application ensure that your pet is completely free from open wounds or sores, if you find even one, don’t let it come in contact with the Vinegar.

Chips made from Cedar

In the study of these parasitic insects, it has been confirmed that they stay away from Cedar scents. Now the best way to apply these chips for treatment is by placing them strategically around your cats bedding that is assuming your cat does not mind the overwhelming scent of Cedar.

Secondly, spread the cider chips around your surrounding in order to prevent fleas from even coming close to the house. Then, if you are sure that you cat does not react to the cedar scent, dab a folded bandanna with only a drop of alcohol mixed with cedar oil, it will serve as a flea repellant collar.

Herb – Rosemary

This herb is effective in chasing the insects away due to fact that they are averse to it. Rosemary has anti-inflammatory characteristics which will soothe the itching caused by flea bites; all you have to do is boil fresh Rosemary leaves in hot water. When it cools down, soak your cat in it.

Next, grind dried Rosemary leaves to a powder and spread generously around your cats bedding and play area. Fleas will literally flee from those places.

Juice from Aloe Vera

Best Natural Flea Remedies for Pets? Some cat owners choose to administer this treatment mixed with cayenne pepper. You mix Aloe Vera juice with the grinded pepper; pour the mix into a spray bottle. Apply it carefully all over your cat but ensure that it does not come in contact with its eyes.

Aloe Vera which repels fleas naturally also cools the itch left by a flea bite. It is important to note that while the gel is not harmful to cats, the latex is extremely if ingested by the pet. So, try your best to keep the plants away from your cat, if this treatment method seems too dangerous, drop it and try others.

Lemon Juice

To prepare this treatment, cut lemons into several pieces and boil, allow it to soak in the water for twelve hours. Then pour into a spray bottle and apply on your pet’s coat. Before application, ensure that the cat does not have any open wound and that it does not come in contact with its eyes.

Fleas are very susceptible to citric acid which lemons have in droves, that’s why they are effective against fleas. When you’re washing your cats bedding, add a cup of squeezed lemon juice into the machine, this should eliminate any flea egg or adult flea still clinging to the materials.

Flower – Lavender

Lavender flea repellent can be prepared very easily, first, soak in water for twelve hours or just leave it overnight. Then strain thoroughly to extract the liquid, once that is completed, pour into a spray bottle of your choice. Spray on your cats coat for carefully this is to make sure that it does not get into their mouth, eyes or nose. If you want to prevent this from happening, you can dip a flea comb into the liquid lavender and groom the cat.

Planting lavender in your garden will ensure that fleas keep away from your environment because they hate lavender scent. This is the catch, lavender plants are safe for animal ingestion but the essential oils which are usually very concentrated can be extremely harmful to cats.

Eucalyptus plant

First, this treatment method is rare and controversial because the plant is dangerous to some cats while others are allergic to its scent, but it is very effective in keeping flea at bay.

However, to keep your pet out of danger, place the plants in lidded jars filled with holes around the house. The fragrance will waft out from these holes throughout the house. On the flip side, cats will not go near the eucalyptus jars because they abhor the scent but you still have to keep them away from cat’s reach.

Now, for those living California or Australia, they can grow eucalyptus around the house. Cats should never be allowed to wander outside or close to the area where it was planted otherwise, it might die.

Salt: Flea eggs and adult fleas dry out when they come in contact with salt. All you have to do is sprinkle it on your carpet and on your pet’s beddings. Brush it in thoroughly; don’t sweep it off for two days and no more. If you don’t remove the salt from the carpet it will become wet which might lead to your house stinking terribly.

Diatomaceous Earth

This is made from fossilized algae. This is probably the safest treatment for flea infestation because both humans and animals can inhale it without coming to any harm. However, these parasitic insects cannot survive wherever they are applied. Like salts, it dries them out completely; even better, fleas cannot become resistant to it.

You can apply it around the house in a fine, defined line; this should make it easier for you to vacuum it up after three days.

Clean out the house

Best Natural Flea Remedies for Pets? It is easier to get rid of adult fleas than its eggs, larvae or pupae. When you want to eliminate fleas completely, wash every material thoroughly especially the cat’s beddings. It is best if you machine wash because the bugs cannot survive under high heat; add vinegar or lemon to the machine before washing.

Vacuum the entire house with salt and diatomaceous earth at least once a week. Dispose of the dirt bags at a far distance to stop the fleas from infesting your home all over the again. Read More…

How to Spray Your Home With a Fogger

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If you have looked into fogs, you may question how to spray your home with a fogger. Fogs contain with chemicals and so require extreme care.
These are steps you can take to successfully fog your home and eliminate fleas.

Keep the floors clean by vacuuming the carpets, rugs and upholstery.
Clean the curtains and baseboards with a vacuum hose attachment.
Before using fogs, take away anything that might come into contamination with the chemicals such as the pets drinking and eating bowls.
Mix the chemical thoroughly by shaking and spraying every part of the house, ensure that no area is left without spray.
Every canister of Bio spot fogger can be sprayed within a six thousand feet radius. You can use as many cans as will be enough for the entire house.

Spraying a Fogger in the Home

It is important to follow any directions with the fogger carefully to prevent any potential injury or reaction to the chemicals. If you are uncertain how to fog it is always best to contact the manufacturer. It is very important to ensure you store all foods and water away as any chemicals in the fogger can make you or your pet sick. It is also important to look at the directions for suggestions on how long to be away from the area after fogging. Knowing this in advance can help you to determine where you and your furry friends need to go.

Flea Bombs, Traps and Sprays

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Some wonder what the differences are between flea bombs, traps, and sprays and we are here to help you find some answers!

Flea Bombs

Flea bombs are what we will look at first for flea bombs, traps and sprays. These are pesticides thrown in various parts of the house to release chemicals that can kill off any parasitic insect around it.

This method seems like the perfect solution to getting rid of fleas because it is so easy to execute but is thought to be an ineffective solution. Flea bombs can only kill off pests around it but those in hiding are alive. The areas left untouched by the pesticide can quickly turn to a safe haven for other parasites.

Next, bombs are rarely used outdoors and even when they are 70% of the surrounding is left. If a flea infestation is to be effectively taken care of , the source (animal and human) and the surroundings are to be clean otherwise they will not be completely clear.

Also, not every stage in the life cycle of a flea is affected by these chemicals, for instance, the adult and pupae are enclosed in a protective cocoon and will go on to infest its surrounding after the application of a flea bomb.

Flea bombs use chemicals that are harmful to humans too. If they are put to use to get rid of fleas, its residues can contaminate foods and lead to food poisoning.

These are very good reasons why a pest control expert is the best solution.

Flea Traps and Sprays

These are traps solely to trap fleas, but they come with a flaw. They can only trap adult fleas and those still in cocoons are left to fully develop. Traps are not totally useless though, they can monitor fleas, to find out if a place is home to the insects.

Chemical sprays and traps are very unreliable, the best methods to gaining control over flea attack is by making use of these multifaceted and integrated techniques and products;

  • Vacuum cleaners can remove every flea in any stage from furniture, carpets, mattresses and pet surroundings.
  • Insect regulators are used to prevent the full development of fleas. It stops them from completing their life cycle.
  • Every home owner should be made aware of flea habitats and behavior.
  • Pets are hosts for fleas and so to make sure that they remain free from these parasites, their bedding and everything around it should be kept clean.
  • Finally, every pet owner should consult their veterinarian first before purchasing any pet product used to control fleas and groom the animals.

It is not advisable to take on the extermination of fleas personally or privately. A professional should be your first solution when these pests are making your home theirs.

Tackle Pet Flea Infestation

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Halt the flea life cycle

It is important to tackle pet flea infestation. For you to stop the flea life cycle, you should always treat your yard and your home, including your pet. Flea prevention products like sprays and insecticides kill only the fleas living on your pet. They do not have the capacity to kill flea eggs in your yard and home.

Cat flea life cycle

To make your home flea-free follow the steps outlined below;

Start a flea prevention campaign

Ensure that flea prevention and pet care is an essential part of your care routine. Getting rid of fleas regularly prevents these insects from living on your pet permanently. Make use of a flea prevention substance that can protect your pet for a month. This is important for regular flea protection.

Ensure all pets in the house are properly treated

Wash and clean your pets with a flea spray and shampoo. Also make use of a tablet flea to get rid of fleas.

Kill all fleas at home

Ensure you spray your home regularly with the help of an insecticide to kill the fleas and larvae. This helps to break the flea life cycle. You should also repeat same every four weeks. For serious infestation, make use of foggers these can keep the fleas away for four months in a stretch.

Get rid of fleas in the yard

To tackle pet flea infestation ensure you get rid of fleas, larvae and eggs in your yard, and all around your house to stop new intruders from coming into your house. Not doing this can allow the fleas to spread to your house.

Indoor Flea Control

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Getting rid of fleas in your home

Indoor flea control is important. Fleas and ticks did not just appear on the body of your pets by magic. Your pets got infected from the environment, which harbors such pests, and if you don’t take the right steps to eliminate them, they’ll continue harming your pets. 95% of fleas in the environment are still in their early stages of development as eggs, larvae or pupae. They hide under grasses and carpets, and you can only set your environment free from ticks and fleas if you eliminate the pests from this early stage.

If your pet has flea allergy, its health can only improve if fleas are completely exterminated from your home. Because pets mostly stay indoors, flea and tick control should focus mostly on indoors, but then, outdoor flea and tick control is also essential especially for people who have a yard where pets can play. 

Best Products for killing ticks and fleas in your home

Fogger: Virbac Knockout Fogger

Foggers help in indoor flea control by eliminating fleas from the home. Vibaric Knockout Fogger also eliminates fleas, eggs, ants, roaches and spiders. Its efficiency is however limited to open spaces, where it is distributed in a circle. The effect does not get to ticks and fleas hiding in cracks, closets, deep inside the carpet, under cushions, along baseboards and other hidden corners of the home. To exterminate fleas and ticks in hidden corners, use a powder.

Flea Fogger

Powder: Bio Spot Carpet Powder

Bio Spot Carpet Powder is ideal for clearing ticks and fleas hiding deep under the carpet, in cracks, under cushions and other hidden corners of the home. It also kills the eggs, larva and pupae of ticks and fleas.

Areas to pay attention to during indoor flea control

  • All carpeted areas of the house, including carpeted closets and cupboards, carpeted upholstery, under furniture cushions. Using a vacuum with a beater bar can eliminate up to 50% of flea eggs and 20% flea larvae, and it also helps raise carpet fibers for easy penetration of insecticides.
  • Under the edge of furniture where flea larvae hides
  • Pet Bedding and fabrics: Hot-laundering of pet bedding and all fabrics meant for the pet helps eliminate fleas and ticks at all stages, including eggs, papal, larval stage and adult stage.
  • Also check those unlikely places where you don’t let your pets into. Well, pets have a way of visiting all corners of the home.
  • Mattresses

How often do I need to do flea control treatment?

If your home is heavily infested, you may need to do this treatment every 2-3 weeks for at least 6 weeks. When the level of infestation has become considerably low, you can reduce to rate of treatment to every 4 to 6 weeks. While treating your home to eliminate fleas, also treat your pets for flea infestation.

Outdoor Flea Control

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Exterminating fleas in your yard

Outdoor flea control is just as important as indoor. Both indoor and outdoor flea treatment are important if you want your pet to be totally free from fleas. Pets with flea allergy may still continue showing allergic reactions after indoor flea treatment. As long as the pet spends some time outdoor, in the yard and surrounding areas, it is still at risk of reacting to fleas, and becoming infested again. Outdoor flea treatment is mostly important if the climate outside is warm, because fleas love warm environment.

How to exterminate fleas from your yard

  • Sprays: Using pyrethroid-containing sprays such as Virabac Yard Spray Concentrate rapidly eliminates ticks and fleas and aids in outdoor flea control. It has a sprayer and hose that can reach up to 6000 sq. feet of yard. You can also dilute and spray it with a watering can.
  • Desiccants: Desiccants kill insects by causing them to lose water so much that they dry up and die. Desiccants like silica gel, sodium borate and Diatomaceous earth can dry up adult fleas, their eggs, larvae and pupae. Desiccants are not harmful to pets, humans and other mammals.
Outdoor Flea Control is Important
  • Beneficial Nematodes: Although nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) cannot survive temperatures of below 45°F and above 95°F, they can be selectively beneficial in eliminating fleas and ticks when the weather favors their activities and metabolism. This can help with outdoor flea control.