Have you noticed strange circular bites on your wrists or ankles? Is your pet scratching and moaning uncontrollably and is your skin becoming increasingly irritable by the day? Chances are, a colony of fleas has decided to make your home (and your beloved pooch) its permanent place of residence.
Naturally, you cannot allow this persist, as fleas can cause many problems to the overall health of your pet, and your family as well. And besides, they are an extreme nuisance you don’t need in your life. Here is everything you need to know about fleas and how to get rid of them for good.
Common ways you can attract fleas
Contrary to popular belief, fleas are able to survive in almost all weather conditions, and your pet can not only contract fleas during the warmer seasons, but during the entire year as well. This poses a problem, as it requires you to constantly pay attention to the way your dog behaves, where it has been, and whether or not a parasite might have dared to come on board.
With fleas becoming increasingly resilient to weather conditions, the most common way for you to attract them into your home is through your pet. But more importantly, what entices them to stay is the inadequate illumination, mold, and general uncleanliness of a home. So while you should check your dog for fleas regularly, make sure you are washing the bed linens and keeping the house clean frequently as well.
Assessing the severity of the problem
A flea infestation is easier to deal with if you catch it early, and if you notice your dog scratching and biting its coat in time, you can prevent fleas from migrating to your furniture and the rest of the house. The first thing you need to do is to assess the stage of the infestation.
It’s always a good idea to keep your furry friend in the backyard, as not only will it allow him or her to enjoy the outdoors, but it will also decrease the chances of bringing the fleas inside. If you notice fleas on the furniture and the floors, it’s time to grab a mop, and get to work.
Getting rid of fleas for good
Don’t worry, getting rid of fleas is actually easier than you might think. First, you want to eliminate the source of the problem – the colony residing in your pet’s furry coat. While there are numerous homemade remedies you can try, you should know that none are 100% effective. This is because homemade treatments only kill the adult fleas, but leave the eggs and larvae intact.
This doesn’t solve the problem, so make sure you apply a proper flea removal agent, such as Comfortis for dogs, in order to kill both adult fleas and the eggs they leave behind. Now that the dog is clean, it’s time to tend to the house. This is the easy part.
Simply use your usual cleaning products to clean the floors, and remember to vacuum thoroughly afterwards. To get the fleas out of clothes and linens, pop them in the washing machine and crank up the temperature. For furniture, you can use a steam cleaner to kill the fleas deep inside the fabric.
Key things you should know about fleas
Fleas, although a nuisance, aren’t as dangerous as you might think. While they might be able to make your dog’s life a living hell, they can’t survive on humans for too long. Simply go for a quick shower and you should have no problems.
On the other hand, fleas are hosts for numerous parasites, and they can infest your dog with tapeworms, or worse. There is a slight chance for humans to contract these parasites, so until the dog is free of fleas, refrain from giving him kisses or letting him lick your face. Remember to wash your hands after every play session as well and you should be out of harm’s way. All of these potential dangers urge the need to eliminate fleas and parasites from your dog’s internal and external system as fast as possible.
Remaining vigilant
Finally, there is no magical solution that will eliminate every possibility of your dog contracting fleas and spreading them into your home. The best thing you can do is to regularly administer a dose of anti-parasitic agents throughout his or her life, maintain proper hygiene, and clean your home’s interior frequently.
Fleas, although not something to be fearful of, are a nuisance and a potentially hazardous problem that needs to be eliminated as soon as possible. Be sure to follow these essential steps and take the necessary precautions, and you will have no problem keeping fleas away from your home, and your pet, for good.
References:
https://www.thebalance.com/get-rid-of-fleas-in-the-house-1799049
http://thebugskiller.com/how-to-kill-fleas-and-get-rid-of-them-forever-from-your-house-dogs-cats/