If you have a pet, there’s a good chance you’ve had to deal with fleas at some point. Fleas are tiny parasites that can cause a lot of problems for both pets and humans. Not only are they irritating, but they can also carry diseases. In this blog post, we will discuss how to get rid of fleas in and around your home and how Sigma Pest Control can help you get rid of any flea problems you may be experiencing.
Getting to Know Fleas
Fleas are one of the most annoying pests to deal with. They’re small, jumpy, and reproduce quickly. Pets can pick up fleas from being outside in nature or around other animals. Fleas can also hitch a ride on humans when we track them into the house on our shoes or clothes. The first step in getting rid of fleas is understanding more about them.
Flea Life Cycle
According to the Centers for Disease Control, a flea’s life cycle depends on its environmental conditions. The whole process can take anywhere from two weeks to eight months.
The life cycle of a flea has four stages:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupae
- Adult
Eggs are laid on the host animal or in their environment, like bedding or carpeting. Once they hatch, the larva feeds on organic debris, like dead skin cells. After about a week, they spin a cocoon and transform into pupae. Pupae can stay in their cocoons for several weeks to months until the right conditions are met for them to emerge as adults.
Once adult fleas emerge, they immediately start looking for a host. They can live for several months and females can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime.
How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of Fleas?
The length of time it will take to get rid of fleas in your home depends on a few factors, such as:
- The severity of the infestation
- If you have pets
- The type of treatment you're using
For example, if you have a mild infestation and are using a natural treatment method like diatomaceous earth, it could take a few weeks to get rid of all the fleas. However, if you have a severe infestation and are using a chemical treatment method like fumigation, it could take several weeks to get rid of all the fleas.
How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home
Because fleas have multiple stages in their life cycle, it is safe to assume that if you find an adult flea then all stages of the life cycle are present. That means that in order to get rid of fleas in your home you have to attack them at all stages of the life cycle. The most common and effective treatment methods are:
- Vacuuming: This will help get rid of adult fleas, larvae, and eggs that are in your carpets or upholstered furniture. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag after you're done so the fleas don't escape back into your home.
- Use a Steam Cleaner: This will help get rid of fleas on your carpet. Be sure to use a hot water setting and go over each area of the carpet multiple times.
- Wash All Your Bedding: This includes sheets, blankets, pillows, and any other fabric items that may have come into contact with fleas. Be sure to wash them in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting.
- Treat Your Pets: If you have any pets that go outside, they may be bringing fleas into your home. Be sure to treat them with a Flea & Tick preventative that is appropriate for their species and weight.
How to Get Rid Of Fleas in Your Yard
The best way to get rid of fleas in your yard is to think about where they like to hide. Fleas are attracted to places that are humid, warm, and shaded. Because areas that are directly exposed to the sun can get too hot you won’t find too many fleas there. Once you have figured out the areas in your yard where fleas are most likely to hide, you can begin to eliminate them by…
- Mowing your lawn regularly and raking: This will get rid of the long grass and leaves that fleas like to hide in.
- Remove all standing water: This includes things like bird baths, pet bowls, and puddles. Fleas need water to survive so getting rid of any standing water will help get rid of them.
- Spreading cedar chips: This will help repel fleas because they don't like the smell of cedar.
- Avoiding overwatering: This will create the humid conditions that fleas like.
- Evicting wildlife: This includes animals like opossums, raccoons, and rodents. These animals can carry fleas into your yard so it's best to get rid of them.
If you suspect that there is a flea infestation in your yard you may want to limit your pet’s playtime outside until you get rid of the fleas.
How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Pets
The best way to get rid of fleas on your pets is to use a Flea & Tick preventative that is appropriate for their species and weight. There are many different types of Flea & Tick products on the market, so be sure to ask your veterinarian which one they recommend. In addition to using a Flea & Tick product, you should also…
- Bathe your pet regularly: This will help get rid of any fleas that are already on your pet. Be sure to use a pet-safe shampoo and rinse them thoroughly.
- Trim their nails regularly: This will help prevent fleas from being able to bite your pet and get a blood meal.
- Keep their bedding clean: This will help get rid of any fleas that may be hiding in their bedding. Be sure to wash it in hot water and dry it on the highest heat setting.
Get Rid of Fleas With The Help of Sigma Pest
If you are having trouble getting rid of fleas in your home or on your pets, Sigma Pest Control can help. We have a variety of different treatment options that will help get rid of fleas at all stages of their life cycle. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help get rid of your flea problem.
