Removing A Flea Infestation From Your Pet And Home
If you have recently noticed your dog or cat is suffering from a flea problem, you will want to take the necessary steps in having these pests removed for their health and comfort. Unfortunately, often the home will also become infested with these pesky parasites. Here are some tips you can use in removing a flea infestation from your pet's fur and your home.
Treat Your Pet First
Before you tackle your home, you will want to make sure your pet is well cared for by removing the fleas from their body. The best way to do this is with a trip to a pet groomer. They will recommend an appropriate treatment and will give you the right dosage for your pet's weight. Topical treatments work best at eradicating a flea problem. These are applied at the nape of the neck so the pet cannot lick off the medicine. They usually work in under a day to kill off fleas and will give a barrier of protection for up to a month against a reinfestation. Other alternatives include flea killing shampoos. Your pet groomer will wash your pet with an appropriate shampoo and comb out any deceased fleas after treatment.
Clean The Home Effectively
After your pet is treated, fleas will no longer use them as a host to feed upon. Because of this, you may find fleas jumping onto your ankles more often than you had before. The home will need to be treated so fleas do not return onto your pet when their medication wears off. Vacuum all carpeting and use a vacuum cleaner attachment to treat couches or cushioned chairs. Steam cleaning will help suck up any eggs and larvae that may be embedded in fibers. It is a good idea to wash all linens and your pet's bedding in hot water. Treat the home with a flea powder made for carpeting. Sprays are also available to kill off any stragglers. If these methods do not work, call a pest control service.
Keep Fleas From Returning
Even with the best cleaning, there is still a chance a flea egg or two has not been removed. If you fail to retreat your pet, baby fleas can hatch and jump onboard and start the cycle all over again. They will die off if they do not have a host to feed upon. Make sure to give your pet another dose of flea treatment as soon as the last one wears off. Treat your yard with an effective pesticide and keep grass cut low to help keep fleas out of the area. Wear socks and check your legs before going back into your home so you do not bring in any of these pests yourself. Limit your pet's outdoor exposure if they are prone to fleas, especially if they had not yet had another dosage of flea treatment.
For a vet in your area, contact a clinic such as Pet Vet Animal Clinic & Mobile Practice Ltd.