Can I Get Rid of a Flea Infestation Myself?

When you have a flea infestation in your home, it’s more than just your pets that get irritated and itchy. These pests can bite both you and your pets, and they can be a pain to get rid of since they are so small. While most infestations are caused by pets bringing them in from outside, it doesn’t take long for your whole house to become infested. You’ll want to get them treated by a pest control professional as soon as possible.

How to Get Rid of a Flea Infestation

If you have a flea problem at your home, you should always call pest control to come spray your home to prevent further infestations. However, there are a few ways you can take care of fleas before pest control arrives to prevent you or your pet from getting bit.

Use Baking Soda or Salt in Your Carpet

Sprinkle some baking soda or salt in your carpet, scrub it in, and then vacuum thoroughly. This will ensure that you remove any lingering fleas living in your carpet, especially if you put some extra effort into the areas that your pets frequent.

Use a Lemon Spray on Your Furniture

Using lemons is a great and natural way to keep fleas at bay. You can make your own lemon spray to use on your furniture to kill fleas. Make sure to focus the spray on your pet’s bed and other areas that your pet likes to hang around your home since those are likely places you will have the most fleas. While this solution is great for killing fleas, it’s also great for making your home smell fresh and delicious!

Wash Your Clothing and Bedding in Hot, Soapy Water

Wash everything you can in hot, soapy water to kill fleas, larvae, and their eggs to prevent further infestations. You may even want to vacuum your mattress to make sure you get any fleas that have transferred to your bed. Don’t forget to wash your pet’s bed too since that’s where most of the fleas will be.

Spray Your Home with Rosemary

Rosemary is a natural flea-repellant that works great as a spray and as a treatment for your pets. After you have cleaned your furniture and removed any fleas, you can use rosemary spray to ensure that they don’t come back. You can even spray the solution on your pets after you give them a bath to keep fleas away from them.

Use a Pet-Safe Flea Treatment

There are many over-the-counter flea medications you can get to treat your pet. However, make sure you talk to your veterinarian to see which solution is best, especially if your pet is allergic to fleas.

What Do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas are very small, about 1/8th of an inch in length, and a reddish-brown color. They will look like small little dots on your pet’s skin. While you can’t really see what they look like without a microscope, fleas have long back legs that allow them to jump up to 12 inches.

Why Are Fleas Bad to Have in Your House?

Fleas can transmit diseases to humans and cause serious allergic reactions for both you and your pet. Fleas can transmit diseases like the plague, murine typhus, and cat-scratch disease. Many people and pets are also allergic to fleas and can get serious allergic reactions when they are bitten. On pets, it can cause them to scratch so much that they lose patches of their fur or even develop sores. Humans that are allergic may experience redness, swelling, and itchiness when bitten. Fleas tend to bite humans around the feet and ankles, so if you notice bites, call your doctor right away.

How Do Dogs and Cats Get Fleas?

Pets can get fleas in many different ways, but more often than not, they’re likely bringing them in from playtime outside. Dogs often get fleas when they come into contact with other dogs with fleas, at the dog park, or from an area in your yard that’s already infested. Cats are also likely to get fleas since they are able to be more free-roaming than dogs, and they will sometimes pick them up when they visit another home in your neighborhood. Sometimes, fleas get into your home by catching a ride on your socks, pant legs, or shoes. Especially after you’ve been doing an outdoor activity like hiking or walking around your neighborhood.

How Can You Tell if Your Pet Has Fleas?

The first sign that your pet has fleas is that they seem to be scratching more than usual. They may also frequently lick the itchy spots on their skin to try to stop the itching. You may also notice red, irritated skin on your pet, or even hair loss if your pet scratches too much at the area. Fleas may even transfer tapeworms to your pet because adult fleas often carry tapeworm eggs. When your pet licks the infected area, they may accidentally swallow the tapeworm eggs and then develop a tapeworm in their intestines. If you find fleas on your pet, call your veterinarian as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.

Contact Classic to Rid Your Home of Fleas

If you need to get rid of fleas in your home, call Classic Pest Control and Insulation to get rid of them and protect your home from further infestation. Contact us to schedule an appointment or for information on our pricing and pest control packages.