A lot of the time, people don’t realize that pets aren’t the only things that can get infested with fleas. Sometimes even households without any pets get infested with fleas out of the blue. Unlike cockroaches or bed bugs, these guys don’t pose much of a health risk. Whether it’s your home or your pets, flea infestations can really be a nuisance.
Clean Linens and Bedding
Fleas like to hang out around linens and clothes. It’s best to wash your bedding on a regular basis in hot temperatures. Fleas and their eggs both die in most temperatures exceeding 120 degrees. A lot of the time a flea infestation can be prevented simply by washing all of your clothes and bedding the moment you think you might be dealing with fleas. Washing your bedding and linens at hot temperatures on a regular basis can also help prevent bed bugs, mites and other parasites. Cleanliness is among the best methods of pest control.
Vacuuming and Cleaning
Since fleas enjoy habitats resembling animal fur, they love setting up shop on carpets and other areas of flooring. Vacuuming regularly or in areas where you might suspect a flea infestation brewing can drastically reduce your chances of an infestation and the need for flea pest control. Even the suction on weaker vacuum cleaners is enough to have a significant effect on a possible flea infestation or even on an already established colony.
Before doing any flea pest control treatments for our customers, we always have them vacuum the affected area before we do our flea service. Vacuuming can really hit a flea infestation hard.
Keeping Pets Clean Keeps Pests Away
For those of us with dogs, cats and other pets, we face more risk of bringing in fleas than households without pets. It is important to keep an eye on your pets; make sure they are clean, well kept and itch free. Washing your animals on a regular basis in hot (not scalding!) water and especially after hikes or play dates with other pets is key in protecting your pets from fleas.
When getting a flea pest control treatment, it is important to have all your pets taken to a veterinarian or pet groomer during the treatment to ensure fleas are not reintroduced to your home after bringing your pet back in the home.
There are plenty of “anti flea/tick” products for pets and though some of those may work pretty well, keeping your pets and home clean while being aware and taking necessary preemptive action will work better than any magic collar.