Learn How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Your House By Inspecting, Removing, And Preventing
Fleas are tiny, parasitic insects that can cause a lot of problems for both humans and animals. They can be a bit challenging to get rid of, but with the correct information, you can rid your home of these parasitic pests! In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about how to get rid of fleas in your house. We'll start by describing what fleas are, their biology, and how they live and reproduce. Then we'll move on to how to identify fleas in your home and how to get rid of them. Finally, we'll talk about how to prevent fleas from entering your home in the first place.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that usually measure about two to three millimeters in length. They have a hard, flattened body that is covered in tiny hairs. Fleas are dark brown or reddish-brown in color and have large hind legs for jumping. The adults live and feed on the blood of animals, while the larvae feed on organic debris. Female fleas can quickly lay up to a whopping 400 eggs, and the eggs hatch within two days to a couple of weeks. The larval stage typically lasts for about two weeks before the fleas develop into the cocoon or pupa stage. This stage usually lasts seven to ten days.
Habits Of Fleas
Fleas are most often found in homes with pets, as they typically enter the house on the fur of cats or dogs. However, you can also bring fleas into the home on clothing or other fabric items. Once inside, fleas will lay their eggs in cracks and crevices, furniture, or carpeting. The larvae spin cocoons and pupate within these hiding spots. When the adult fleas emerge from the cocoons, they will jump onto a nearby host to feed.
How To Identify Fleas In Your Home
There are a few easy-to-tell signs that you may have a flea infestation in your home. First, you may notice small, dark brown insects jumping around on your floors or furniture. You may also see small brown dots (flea dirt) on your carpets or upholstery. If you suspect you have fleas in your home, you may be shocked to learn that adult fleas only account for about 5% of the flea population. That means there are many more fleas in your house than you can see! 10% are pupa cocoons. 35% are larvae. Roughly 50% of the flea population are eggs.
How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Your House
If you have pesky fleas in your house, you can do a few things to get rid of them:
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum your floors and furniture thoroughly. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag after each use.
- Wash all of your pet's bedding in hot water. You may also want to treat your dogs and cats with a flea shampoo or collar. Thoroughly clean areas that your pets regularly walk along.
- You'll have several choices regarding flea control options and flea sprays.
Inside Flea Control
Liquid residual flea insecticides help control the adult flea population and are even more effective when combined with insect growth regulators like Tekko Pro IGR or Martin's IGR.
- For carpets and rugs, we recommend FenvaStar EcoCap.
- For hard floor surfaces, you can combine Tekko IGR and FenvaStar EcoCap.
Aerosols
There are a variety of effective flea aerosols that contain both insecticides and IGR (insect growth regulators). These are often the most convenient choice for homeowners, as you don't need to mix anything on your own.
- Aerosols are usually best on hard surfaces but can be used on rugs and carpets. We highly recommend Pivot Ultra Aerosol Flea Tick Killer and Alpine Flea Insecticide with IGR Aerosol. There are also effective trigger sprays like the Martin's Flee Plus IGR Trigger Spray.
Adult Fleas Living On Your Pets
Fleas can feed on human blood but usually prefer to feed on non-humans, such as pets like dogs and cats. You'll want to start your flea control program in late spring before fleas can develop into adults. It’s best to begin your flea control program before it gets too warm, and fleas begin to live on your pets. A great way to start each year is with Insect Growth Regulators.
Image:
Image Caption: Prevent fleas from invading your home (and pets!) with insect growth regulators.
Preventing Fleas In Your House
The best way to prevent fleas in your house is to avoid them altogether. That means keeping your pets from coming into contact with fleas. When you take your pet outside, check them for fleas before they come back inside. If possible, keep them on a leash so they don't wander into areas where fleas may live. When you travel, don't let your pet come into contact with other animals that may have fleas. If you suspect there are fleas in an area, avoid it altogether. Finally, be sure to vacuum and clean your house regularly to remove any eggs or larvae that may be living there.
In terms of using insecticides to prevent fleas in your house, ready-to-use flea aerosol sprays with included IGRs are an excellent choice. You can use them on both upholstery and your floors. They effectively interfere with the flea's life cycle. Pivot Ultra Plus and Alpine Flea Insecticide with IGR Aerosol are both excellent choices. You may also be interested in a kit like our Indoor Aerosol Flea Kit to cover all your bases.
Flea Control In Your House With Do-It-Yourself Pest Control
By following these simple tips, you can avoid a flea infestation in your house or eliminate one that already exists. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at Do-It-Yourself Pest Control. We're always happy to help!
