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Fleas are one of the most dreaded pests, and it’s easy to see why. Fleas bites can cause an allergic reaction in pets as well as humans, and the pests don’t always discriminate between species. Kicking the bugs out of your home so you and your dog can enjoy an itch-free existence is important.
Dr. Tom Wootton, Medical Director at Felix&Fido, says persistence is the best approach when it comes to parasites. The good news is there are many flea control methods, from the basic comb and bath to flea treatments. We’ve put together a simple guide for ridding your pet and home of fleas.
The Flea Life Cycle
Warm weather can bring an increase in fleas, but flea season can technically be all year-round, depending on where you live.
Fleas have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa (in a cocoon), and adult. After the female lays eggs, the eggs fall off the host and hatch into larvae that embed themselves into your carpet, under furniture, and in pet beds. The pupa becomes an adult in a couple of weeks—and lays more eggs.
Even if you’ve seen just one flea, it’s safe to say you’ve got a problem that needs to be addressed. “Where there is one, there are likely many,” says Dr. Wootten.
Because of the long lifecycle of fleas, eradicating them completely can take several weeks. It involves treating your pet, your home, and possibly your yard if the infestation is severe. Here’s what to do.
Step 1: Remove Fleas from Your Pet
First, you’ll want to remove the fleas that are living on your pet. Fleas cause more than just itchiness. They can transmit diseases, cause intestinal parasites such as tapeworms, and lead to anemia in puppies and kittens.
A flea comb and a bath, followed by a preventive treatment, are what you need.
Flea comb
Brush your pet out with a flea comb. A flea comb is a fine-toothed comb that works by trapping fleas, eggs, and “flea dirt” (feces) between the teeth. Have a cup of soapy water handy so you can drown any live fleas you find. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail.
Bath
A soothing bath with soap and warm water can help get fleas off your pet’s fur and skin. Mild dish soap can help kill adult fleas, and a flea shampoo can be even more powerful—but since these can strip the oils from your pet’s skin, ask your veterinarian first.
You may be tempted to use essential oils because of their pleasant scent, but steer clear because they can be toxic to pets.
Flea treatment
The most common flea treatments are topical and oral medications.
Since it’s not easy to get kitty to eat a treat with a pill hidden inside, oral medications are more common for dogs, and topical treatments for cats.
“Every product has a slightly different degree of coverage,” explains Dr. Wootten. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to your vet about where you live, other pets you have, and the other parasites your pet is most likely to be exposed to before you choose a product.
Remember that flea medicines for cats can be toxic for dogs and vice versa. Keep a close eye on your household pets to make sure they’re not licking a fellow pet that has had a topical treatment.
There are lots of flea collars for both cats and dogs, but Dr. Wootten has found them less effective, in part since rain and humidity can sap the chemicals out at variable rates.
malivoja via iStock
Step 2: Remove Fleas from the Home
The flea life cycle takes place on the animal, but plenty of eggs will fall off of the pet into carpeting, upholstery, and bedding. Here’s how to deal with it.
Wash everything every 2 to 3 weeks
The best way to deal with this is to wash everything that could have come in contact with your pet every two to three weeks in hot water. This includes:
- all pet (and human) bedding
- rugs
- any washable covers on furniture
Vacuum weekly
Vacuum all the floors, as well as couches and any other areas weekly or daily for severe infestations. Pay particular attention to cracks and crevices on floors and along baseboards.
Seal the canister contents or used vacuum bag in a plastic sack and dispose of it in an outdoor trash container. A flea collar placed inside the bag or canister may offer an extra bit of protection.
Steam cleaning your carpet a couple times a year can also help kill fleas in all stages of their life cycle.
Use invert spray cans instead of foggers
For indoor (non-pet) flea control, the Washington State University Extension recommends invert spray cans for carpets as a safer and more effective choice than foggers. These sprays contain insect growth regulators that control both immature and adult fleas.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency regulate flea products and conduct reviews of a product’s safety for pets, people in contact with pets, and the environment. These two agencies must approve flea products before they can be sold or marketed.
Step 3: Remove Fleas from the Yard
Outdoor chemical flea control is usually only needed for severe infestations. In these cases, products containing the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen are most effective.
One reason outdoor treatment usually isn’t called for is because fleas don’t survive well outdoors in hot, sunny yards. Relative humidity of less than 50 percent or a soil temperature higher than 95 degrees Fahrenheit will kill flea larvae. Mowing the lawn exposes the soil to the sun, which fleas try to avoid.
Moist, shaded places near your pet’s favorite napping spot are a favorite camp for fleas. Keeping the yard dry makes it less attractive to them.
Wild animals commonly carry fleas, so keep tight lids on compost and trash cans, and remove any pet food from outside areas. If you have a doghouse, be sure to wash bedding and treat the interior of the house.
Tatomm via iStock
Natural Methods
For those who want to avoid chemical flea treatments, there are a few natural solutions that have proven effective—though long-term results can vary.
Vinegar
This natural powerhouse is a popular choice for repelling fleas. Mix 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar with 3/4 cup water in a spray bottle for a homemade flea spray. Spray any water-safe surfaces you’ve noticed fleas on. You can also add vinegar to the wash when cleaning color-safe pet beds and linens.
Diatomaceous earth
Made of the fossilized remains of tiny organisms called diatoms, diatomaceous earth is a white powder that kills adult fleas and breaks flea eggs. The sharp edges of the diatoms cut through the hard exoskeletons of fleas, acting as a desiccant or drying agent.
If you go this route, make sure you purchase food-grade powder. Sprinkle the powder over the affected furniture and carpet. Let it sit for 12 to 24 hours, then vacuum the powder and the dead fleas. Repeat this every week until no fleas are detected.
Note that while the powder is non-toxic, breathing it in is not recommended for humans or dogs. Keep kids and pets out of the treated area until the powder has been vacuumed up. It’s also best to use a shop vacuum for this, as the powder can clog a traditional vacuum filter and damage the motor.
Flea-repelling plants
For long-term prevention, you can add flea-repelling plants such as lemon balm, sage, rosemary, catnip, lemongrass, basil, and mint to your garden.
Nematodes Nematodes are microscopic worms that eat flea larvae in the soil. Apply them to your lawn, especially in moist shady areas. They do not affect humans or pets. You can find them in garden stores and some pet stores.
Special Cases
For some extreme infestations, you may need to bring in the professionals. They will come into the home with chemical compounds to eradicate fleas quickly.
Chemicals can be dangerous to birds, reptiles and fish, in addition to dogs, cats, and children. It’s a good idea to find another place to stay while your home is being treated, especially for your furred and feathered family members.
Flea Prevention
It’s important to kill all of the fleas in your home, because even if just a few are left alive, another infestation can start. Here’s what you can do to prevent fleas from coming back.
- Frequently brush, comb, and inspect your pet. Check the areas around the neck, tail, back of the rear legs, and the groin and belly.
- Wash pet bedding at least once a week in hot water.
- Vacuum carpets and floors weekly to remove eggs, larvae, flea feces, or pupae.
- Consider giving your pet a flea prevention medication. Dr. Wootten says veterinarians typically recommend complete parasite prevention—internal and external—in the form of either topical or oral medications.
