Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Removing Fleas from Pets
• Method 2 of 3: Killing fleas in your home
• Method 3 of 3: Eliminating Fleas in Your Home Garden
• Tips
• Warnings

Flea infestations can be very difficult to get rid of, especially if fleas need to be removed from pets, in the home and in the garden. Fortunately, you can get rid of fleas yourself and prevent them from appearing in the future without the help of professionals. The secret to success is to use a variety of flea control and preventive measures, and be persistent in removing these parasites from pets and the home. If you find fleas in your pets, you need to treat your home and garden to prevent them from reappearing.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Removing Fleas from Pets

1. 1 Buy a flea shampoo with rosemary, eucalyptus, or citrus oil. These natural ingredients are especially effective at removing fleas and will not irritate pets' skin. Look for shampoo containing them at a pet store or ask your veterinarian for a recommendation for a suitable natural shampoo. Try not to use shampoos with insecticides, such as pyrethrins, as they can irritate the skin of you and your pets.
   • Be sure to check with your veterinarian about flea shampoo as some may be toxic to your pet. For example, cedarwood or tea tree oil shampoos are bad for cats.
2. 2 Bathe the animal. Move from head to tail.When fleas sense water, they immediately try to hide in a dry, secluded area. Therefore, it is recommended to first wash or at least wet the ears, anus, eye area and neck of the animal before moving on to the rest of the body. To get rid of all fleas, soap your pet for at least 15 minutes and only then wash off the shampoo with water.
   • As you rinse off the shampoo, spread the fur to wash out dead fleas and their eggs.
   • Read the directions for use carefully before using the shampoo. Some shampoos need to be applied several times in a row.
   • The frequency of washing with flea shampoo depends on whether they will reappear, on the breed and age of the animal, and on the recommendations of the veterinarian.
3. 3 Sprinkle apple cider vinegar on the animal's fur. Apple cider vinegar is a natural flea repellent. After you kill fleas with a special shampoo, you need to take preventive measures so that they do not reappear. If you don't want to use over-the-counter flea products that may contain skin irritants, apple cider vinegar is a good choice. Its strong and pungent scent repels fleas. Simply mix 1: 1 apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the mixture on the animal's fur. When doing this, be careful not to get any liquid on your pet's eyes, nose, and ears.
   • Apple cider vinegar can be used whenever you spot fleas on your dog, or before you release it outside.
4. 4 Try brushing it with lemon juice. This is another natural flea repellent. If you don't like the smell of apple cider vinegar, you can use lemon juice to repel fleas. As with apple cider vinegar, fleas do not like the smell and taste of lemon juice, so they are unlikely to bother your pet. Simply dip a comb or brush into the lemon juice and comb through the animal's fur. Lemon juice can be applied to the coat daily or whenever you brush your pet.
   • Note that it is not necessary to constantly apply lemon juice to the animal's fur, as it does not kill fleas.
5. 5 Use an over-the-counter or prescription product for maximum effect. This can be a flea collar, topical product, or oral medication. Over-the-counter medications are not always effective, so you can ask your veterinarian for a prescription for a more potent drug that works for your pet. When using the drug, strictly follow the instructions attached to it.
   • Generally, collars that only contain an insect growth regulator are not strong enough to completely eliminate fleas. Topical products are less likely to irritate the skin and may be more effective with prolonged use.

Method 2 of 3: Killing fleas in your home

1. 1 Wash all bedding and bedding to kill fleas. Collect all sheets, pillowcases, rugs, and rugs. Load them in separate batches into the washing machine and wash in warm or hot water. Then transfer them to a tumble dryer and dry them completely at a high temperature. To be sure to kill all fleas, you can wash your clothes again.
   • Be sure to wash all of your pet's bedding as well. Even if the labels indicate that items should be washed in cold water, wash them in hot water to kill fleas and their eggs.
   • If any items are leaky or heavily soiled with dirt, wool and flea eggs, throw them away and replace them with new ones.
2. 2 Vacuum all floors in your home to remove all fleas and their eggs. While the bedding is being washed, vacuum through all the rooms. Vacuum the entire floor regardless of whether it is covered with carpets, tiles, or parquet. Use the vacuum cleaner attachments to vacuum in corners and other tight spaces.
   • Before vacuuming the floor, remove unnecessary items from the floor so that nothing gets in your way.
   • When cleaning the floor, periodically remove the dust bag or container from the vacuum cleaner and empty the contents into a trash can outside. This will reduce the risk of flea eggs and larvae spreading throughout your home.
   • Among other things, using the vacuum cleaner will lift the fibers of the carpet, allowing the flea repellent to penetrate deeper into the carpet.
3. 3 Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on contaminated surfaces. This natural remedy kills fleas. Kieselguhr is a powder of small crushed stones; when it gets on fleas, it quickly dehydrates and kills these parasites and their larvae. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on floors and carpets after vacuuming and washing bedding and bedding. Leave the diatomaceous earth powder for three days and then vacuum it up.
   • You should sprinkle carpets and floors with diatomaceous earth once a week for 30 days to kill all fleas.
   • Use food grade natural diatomaceous earth that is free from artificial additives.
   • Food grade diatomaceous earth can be ordered online or purchased from your garden supply store.
4. 4 Try spraying an insecticide in your home if you have been unable to get rid of fleas. Choose a product that contains both an insect growth regulator that kills eggs, larvae and pupae, and an insecticide that kills adult fleas. Before using the product, read the instructions carefully and follow them before, during and after applying the insecticide. After using the insecticide, everyone in the home, including pets, will need to leave the home for a few hours or until the product dries.
   • Common insect growth regulators include methoprene and pyriproxyfen. Permethrin is often used as an insecticide that kills adult insects.
   • It is most convenient to use an insecticide in the form of an aerosol, as this will allow you to selectively treat problem areas.
   • As a rule, aerosol generators are not very effective as they are not selective and do not allow the agent to penetrate deeply into carpets.
5. 5 Continue cleaning your home for a few weeks until you get rid of the fleas. After you wash your bedding and bedding, vacuum the floor, and apply flea repellent to infected surfaces, these parasites can still remain in your home as new insects hatch and grow. Therefore, it is necessary to remove fleas for several weeks: continue to vacuum regularly and use natural flea remedies such as diatomaceous earth.
   • If you are using an insecticide, you do not need to reapply it after the first time. Always follow the directions provided and do not use the product more often than recommended.

Method 3 of 3: Eliminating Fleas in Your Home Garden

1. 1 Pay special attention to shaded areas that your pet frequently visits. Fleas prefer dark, humid places, and you are more likely to find them wherever your dog likes to be. There is no need to work the entire garden plot, especially in areas well-lit by the sun. Fleas do not like dry, light places.
   • If you want to check for fleas in your area, try walking in white socks. If after that you find fleas on your socks, it means that part of the area is infected with them.
2. 2 Remove debris from the area that collects moisture and creates shade. This includes fallen branches and leaves, heaps of cut grass, tools and equipment. Thus, you will deprive fleas of suitable places for them.
3. 3 Spray the area with insecticide to kill fleas. Look for a product that is intended for outdoor use and contains both an insecticide that kills adult insects and an insect growth regulator that keeps fleas from hatching from eggs and prevents larvae from developing for several months. In most cases, a garden hose can be connected to an outdoor insecticide container and sprayed over infested areas. Spray the insecticide only in shaded areas that your pet frequently visits or where there is a lot of moisture. Carefully follow the directions for use and spray again if necessary.
   • After applying the product, stay away from the treated areas for the recommended time.
   • You may need to apply the insecticide dry as water will reduce its effectiveness. If you are in doubt as to how to proceed, read the instructions that came with the product.
4. 4 Contact a pest control specialist if you need help using an insecticide. If you find it difficult to spray the insecticide yourself, consider using a professional. Search online for pest control companies in your area. Find out in advance what kind of processing is planned and how much it will cost.
5. 5 Sprinkle cedar shavings over the area to prevent re-infestation of fleas. Fleas do not like the smell of cedar sawdust, so they will serve as another obstacle for these parasites. Scatter or sprinkle cedar shavings around bushes and trees.
   • Cedar sawdust can be ordered online or purchased from a garden supply store.

Tips

• If your dog has played with other dogs, alert their owners of possible flea problems. It is best to get rid of fleas as early as possible so that they do not spread further.
• Clean regularly to reduce the number of fleas.

Warnings

• Make sure everyone in the household, especially children, wash their hands before eating. If someone swallows a flea that is infected with a tapeworm, they can become infected with the parasite themselves.