Well, my house and my dog have fleas, but I might as well include myself, since I have been bit by these nasty little biters as I sit watching television or reading the newspaper!
I decided to take action: I contacted the vet, read some articles on the web and got some advice from other pet-owners. Here are some Flea Control Tips I found:
Removing and Preventing Fleas in Living Areas:
Carpeted floors, rugs, wood floors, and upholstered furniture should be vacuumed regularly.
Vacuum more frequently in rooms that your pets visit often, in high-traffic areas, such as doorways, and under furniture where pets spend time.
During periods of infestation, be sure to change your vacuum bag frequently, and seal it tightly before disposing.
During an active infestation, you may want to vacuum some rooms twice, since your first pass through may stimulate new adults to emerge from their cocoons.
Since fleas tend to stay close to ground be sure to clear floors, including closets, before vacuuming.
Steam cleaning and shampooing is an effective method of eradicating eggs, larvae, pupae and adult fleas. The thicker the carpet, however, the more likely some larvae and eggs will survive. Wash uncarpeted floors weekly if possible.
Remove carpet only as a last resort.
Removing and Preventing Fleas on Pets:
Spend five minutes every day picking fleas off of your pet’s fur.
Fine-toothed flea combs are extremely useful it your pet’s hair is relatively short or thin.
Crush fleas with a tweezers rather than with your fingers (to prevent irritation caused by flea mites), or drop fleas into a bowl of water containing a few drops of shampoo or detergent.
Groom your pet over a washable towel.
Groom your pet’s skin as well as fur, since fleas like to burrow.
Bathe your pet regularly, but avoid shampoos that dry out skin. Some pet shampoos contain herbal and citrus extracts and oils that act as natural flea repellents.
Dry your pet in a white towel, then dispose of any fleas that have jumped onto the towel.
Removing and Preventing Fleas on Your Pet’s Favorite Spots:
Place towels under your pets’ resting places.
During periods of infestation, use two sets of towels, washing one set each day to remove eggs and larvae as well as adult fleas and droppings.
You can also apply an insect growth regulator (IGR) to the towel. IGRs mimic natural insect hormones, and prevent flea eggs and larvae from maturing to adulthood.
Outdoors, replace wooden pet houses with plastic or other material, and clean regularly.
If you have any tips you’d like me to add to this list, please send them to me, and I’ll be glad to include them (the good ones that really work, of course! Wishing them away and crossing your fingers and toes do not work. Believe me, I’ve tried!)
