Fleas: How to Remove Them from Your Home

Fleas are a vigilant insect that attack and feast on your pets. But they don't stop there! They find their way into your bed, your carpet, and your furniture and then feast on you. Many times you may not realize your pet has fleas. It isn't until you start feeling the little prick of a bite and the constant itching afterwards that you realize - you have fleas.

Fleas are considered Siphonapteras, a group of insects that has mouthparts made for piercing skin and sucking blood. They do not have wings, but are quick and can get around using your pet as transport. They are very small, have hard outer shells, and are quite good jumpers. They go through 3 life cycles, starting out as larvae, changing into a pupa, and eventually into an adult flea. The life cycle is slow - eggs hatch within 2-12 days and fleas reach maturity within 3 weeks. An adult female can lay up to 500 eggs, which mean lots and lots of fleas!

You probably don't want to learn about the life cycle of the flea, you want to know how to eradicate them! Fleas make their way into your home via your pet. If you don't treat a flea infestation, they will continue to reproduce and cause widespread damage to any warm-blooded animals or humans living in your house! Fleabites are itchy and can continue to itch for a couple weeks. The same goes for your pet, and constant itching can lead to skin and coat damage, and expensive veterinarian bills.

As soon as a flea is discovered, it is essential to start the process to eliminate them. There are several options to attack fleas. The most successful are purchased fleas treatments that you can obtain from your veterinarian. They are pricey, but truly the quickest way to rid your pet of this pest. Now that your pet is flea free, you need to cleanse your home of any that might be lurking. Vacuuming all carpets, rugs, furniture, floors, and areas that your pet frequents is a great start. Make sure to remove your vacuum bag when finished and dispose of it outside of your house.

Laundering all of your bedding and pet bedding, and blankets helps to rid any other fleas that may be hiding. Fleas like warmer temperatures, but a good hot wash will help to remove them from your bedding. You can purchase Borax to assist with your wash and cleaning of your carpets, but I have found in dealing with my infestations in the past that remaining diligent with regular vacuuming and washing really helps.

If you have pets that are indoors and outdoors, you will have fleas at some point. You can choose to keep your pet covered monthly with a flea treatment, or treat as needed. I find with my 2 cats that they seem to have bouts with fleas in the fall and again in the spring. We treat them at first sign, and wash and vacuum everything in sight! It turns into a great way to clean the house from top to bottom! I suffer a couple fleabites, and we are able to move on with our lives.

Fleas are frustrating pests, but if you deal with them appropriately, they can be maintained and removed from your home. If you are like me, you aren't interested in over-treating your pet or using toxic chemicals in your home. Look for the signs of fleas and remain consistent. You can live flea free!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea

http://www.stopthefleas.com/natural-flea-remedies.html