Top Tips for a Flea-Free Home

If you have ever been in a house with fleas, you know how horrible those pests can be. They jump from pets to people and from pet to pet. That means that they can spread quickly in a household, quickly becoming an infestation. Their bites are not painful, but they do cause an uncomfortable itching sensation. In people and pets that are sensitive to flea bites or allergic to fleas, the itching can be unbearable. Flea bites can even be life-threatening to animals who are in a weakened state because they can lead to anemia. So, you do not want a flea problem.

How To Keep Fleas Out Of Your Home

Keeping fleas out of your home is much easier than getting rid of them once they have become a problem. So, you want to take some steps to keep a flea-free home.

First, you want to start with a pest-free environment. If you are moving into a new location that previously had pets or if you had pets and had a flea problem, start with a thorough pest control treatment that includes a flea treatment. You also want to steam clean your carpets. Fleas frequently live in carpets and steam cleaning can help you remove existing fleas and their eggs. While that will not prevent all further flea problems, it will help you start on a clean slate.

The good news is that, unlike other pests, fleas are unlikely to invade your house without coming in on pets. If you can keep your pets from getting fleas, you can probably keep your home flea-free. However, that is not always a guarantee. For example, if you go into a flea-infested area, you can actually bring fleas home on your clothing or your body. So, if you expect to be around fleas, use an insect spray and immediately launder your clothes or other fabrics when you return home.

Further Steps To Maintain A Flea-Free Home

Put your pets on flea preventatives. There are a bunch of different flea preventatives on the market, including flea shampoos, flea sprays, flea collars, oral medications, and topical medications. You should consult with your vet about which one is the best choice for your pet(s). Whatever your choice, use these products regularly to keep your pets from getting fleas.

No matter what preventative you choose, it is important to realize your pets can still bring in a flea or two. So, you want to keep your home tidy. Vacuum at least once a week to get rid of any fleas. Clean your pets bedding at least once a week as well. Make sure and empty your vacuum outside right after cleaning. If it has a bag or if you cannot empty it, consider putting a flea collar inside your vacuum to kill any fleas.

You can also use insecticides in your home and yard to prevent flea infestations. Our home protection plans include coverage for fleas, so contact us today to find out more.