If you have pets in your home, there is a good chance that you have experienced the nuisance of fleas. If not, your opportunity to join the ranks of the homes with fleas may come sooner than you like. The nuisance of fleas and other house pests is a battle that can be won by following some easy steps and precautions. Let the war begin...
Fleas and Your PetThe most likely source of flea introduction into a home is the beloved pet; although, some homeowners report flea infestations from visiting friends or relatives with pets. Just like any other problem; first treat the source. There are many options for effective flea treatment for a pet.
- Topical solutions applied directly to the pet, usually between the shoulders
- Flea shampoos or sprays
- Flea dips and flea collars
- Sevin Dust applied by hand and against the fur of the animal, away from the eyes, nose and mouth
- Some home remedies include putting garlic in the pet's food. As the oil from garlic is ingested, it spreads through the animal's fur thereby ridding the animal of fleas
Any of these products may be found at the local pet store, veterinarian or home improvement store.
Kill Fleas Where They Live
It is important to understand that fleas are everywhere: in the yard, under and around the house, anywhere one would find pests such as ants and spiders. In order to safeguard future infestations and sometimes, for simple peace of mind, a person may desire to rid their yard of fleas, as well. The homeowner has many options for exterminating fleas from the yard and around the home.
- Sevin Dust distributed with a walk-behind spreader or by hand, depending on the size of the yard
- Boric Acid sprayed over the yard and around the house (Note: Boric Acid is not harmful to pets or children)
- Insectisides that can be attached to a garden hose for broad distribution
- Extermination companies that professionally treat lawns with specific chemicals
Kill Fleas Where You Live
It is understandable that the homeowner may have tried home remedies to rid his or her house of fleas in the past. These methods can be effective and often cost much less than professional treatments. However, most over- the-counter flea bombs, flea collars, flea powders and flea sprays are only effective on live fleas. In order to completely exterminate the problem of fleas in a home, the homeowner will need to apply these methods repeatedly over a period of weeks in order to completely kill the life cycle of fleas.
Flea bombs, sprays and powders do not have the active ingredient to kill fleas in the larvae or pupa stage. This ingredient is called IGR or Insect Growth Regulator. Once fleas invade the home, they will lay eggs, and therein lies the problem.
Complete Flea Control and Prevention
Whether a person has tried in vain to exterminate fleas from the home using over- the-counter remedies or simply doesn't have the time or energy to devote to an all-out flea war, one choice is to use professional pest control for the home. Many extermination companies such as Orkin and Terminix offer comprehensive flea control that will rid a home of fleas and other pests such as spiders, ants and mice. These treatments can seem moderately expensive in comparison with over-the-counter methods, but they offer guarantees.
Initial inspection and treatment along with return preventative maintenance every two to three months
- If fleas are not completely gone within two weeks, they will re-treat at no cost to the homeowner.
- They offer treatment of the inside and outside of the home, garage and yard
- If fleas are reintroduced to the home, they will die due to the barrier of IGR in and around the home
In these tough financial times, it may seem extravagant to pay a professional pest control company to treat a home for fleas; however, most companies are understanding. They can offer discounts and pay-as-you-go service so that the homeowner may stop treatments as he or she so desires.
Whether a do-it-yourself spendthrift or an no-holds-barred activist, any homeowner can win the war against fleas. Do not be discouraged by what seems like re-infestations. Persistence pays in this endeavor.
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