Don't Let Fleas Take Over Your Home!

Pet owners fear to deal with fleas. These pesky parasites love to feed on our furry friends, and on people too! Fleas can live on a pet for about two months, and what is worse is that they multiply very fast. Fleas begin to feed on blood in less than 5 minutes after landing on you or your pet. Furthermore, female fleas lay 40 to 50 eggs per day. Larvae from these eggs dig deep in bedding and carpets, and they can stay dormant for months before emerging. This means that dealing with fleas can feel like a never-ending battle, especially once they’ve begun multiplying. Knowing the right signs of a flea infestation and proper prevention techniques are the best way to prevent these pests from taking over your home.

Signs of Fleas on People

The good news is that flea bites are not commonly seen on humans as often as they are on our pets. If you suspect that you are getting bit by fleas, they are most likely coming from your pet. If you don’t have a pet, flea bites can be coming from an outside area, such as the yard. How do you know if you have fleas? The most common symptoms are:

• Raised, red spots
• Bites found only on the feet, ankles, and legs
• Itching, rashes, or hives
• Swelling

It is important to remember that scratching flea bites can cause blisters and lead to infection. Additionally, some people are immune to flea bites, so you may not exhibit any symptoms. Although fleas carry a lot of bacterial and viral diseases, flea bites are not as dangerous as other types of bug bites. However, it is recommended to see a doctor if your bites develop into blisters, boils, or if you develop a fever.

Preventing Fleas on Cats

With the weather warming up, it is important to take preventative measures to prevent fleas from attacking your cat. Stopping flea infestation is important not only for your cat’s health but also for your family. Some tips on how to prevent fleas on your cat are:

• Keep cats indoors – Outdoor cats have a greater risk of catching fleas.
• Get a cat flea treatment – Cat treatments are available in a few forms, including flea sprays, spot treatments, shampoos, oral medications, and flea collars.
• Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum – Fleas love to live in carpet, bedding, and furniture. Constant vacuuming can suction these pesky fleas out of these fabrics.

Always consult with a veterinarian to find out which treatment option is best for your pet. Vigilance is key – even if you clean and vacuum, fleas can still latch onto clothing and end up infesting your home. Washing your cat’s bedding in the washing machine is also recommended. The hot water and heat from the dryer help remove any pests that burrow into the bed.

Preventing Fleas on Dogs

Flea prevention is the best and cheapest way to combat potential infestation. Flea prevention is important to have year-round, so all household pets should be on prevention medication throughout the year. Preventing fleas from latching on your dogs is similar to that of cats. Specifically, tips on how to prevent fleas on your cat include:

• Treat carpets with Borax before vacuuming – Borax is an effective treatment for exterminating adult fleas and flea larvae. It is ineffective on flea eggs, however, so additional prevention methods should still be used.
• Bathe and comb your dog – This removes any flea dirt and fleas from your pet. Flea shampoos remove adult fleas and flea dirt from your pet’s fur.
• Shake out couch cushions – Shaking out your cushions helps loosen any flea or flea larvae that might be embedded deep in the fabric. Make sure to shake it out over the carpet to ensure you vacuum any flea or larvae up.

Flea infestations are never fun and a sure pain to deal with. By following this guide, you will be sure to keep your pets, your home, and your family happy and flea-free.