Fleas are uncomfortable and unhealthy for pets, but they can also cause bigger problems for you and your entire household. These nasty pests could be lurking in the tall grass and leaf litter of your backyard right now, brought in by wild animals or neighbors’ pets. If they latch onto your dog or cat, they can lay eggs in their fur that hatch into more fleas and infest your entire home.
Sloan Pest Control takes fleas seriously. These intruders transmit diseases, spark uncomfortable allergic reactions in people and pets, and can be very stubborn. Anyone who’s dealt with this frustrating scourge knows it’s not an easy problem to tackle, but luckily, there are many all-natural solutions.
Where They Hide
• Carpets and rugs
• Upholstered furniture
• Pet fur
What They Feed On
Like little vampires, fleas need to drink blood to live and reproduce. The warm, humid climate of Georgia makes it the perfect home for fleas to flourish. Species that feed on cats, dogs, rodents, and even humans can all be found in the state.
Fleas are bad, but harsh treatments and chemicals aren’t much better, which is why Sloan Pest Control uses eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management techniques to handle these problems. A stubborn flea infestation can be overwhelming, but there is hope. Here’s a rundown on the Sloan Pest Control playbook:
Natural Treatments Inside
Diatomaceous Earth: This fine powder is made from fossilized algae, and is a very effective flea treatment when evenly sprinkled over carpets, rugs, and upholstery. When this natural powder is left on surfaces for several hours, it dehydrates and kills fleas. Simply vacuum to remove powder, dead fleas, and eggs.
Essential Oils (Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus): When diluted with water, these powerful natural derivatives repel and eliminate fleas and other insects. Mix just a few drops with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist spots where fleas are the most prevalent, like pet bedding. While you can reapply as needed in problem spots, be careful because some oils are toxic to pets if ingested.
Cedar Oil: Use this natural insecticide similarly to essential oils, diluting it in water and using a spray model to mist flea-heavy areas.
General Tips
Even though these suggested products are made from natural ingredients, they are still potent and you must be careful. If any pets or household members seem to be having reactions, stop using them and contact a doctor or veterinarian if symptoms persist.
These solutions could be enough to end a smaller infestation, but if the problem doesn’t seem to be letting up, it might be time to get help from a professional pest control company. A company that specializes in eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management like Sloan Pest Control takes safe, effective treatments to the next level.
Natural Treatments Outside
One of the best ways to stop fleas from getting inside your home is to make sure your yard is as inhospitable to them as possible. Fleas and vampires not only share the same diet – they also both hate sunlight and love dark, damp places. Keep your soil sunny and dry by:
• Mowing your lawn frequently
• Taking care not to over-water
• Raking regularly to clean up plant and leaf clutter
Fleas travel by host, so further steps you can take to keep them away from your home include:
• Treating your pets with insecticides
• Storing food in airtight containers and keeping tight lids on trash and compost bins so you don’t attract rodents
• Eliminate areas where rodents can hide like brush, firewood, and rock piles
For extra protection, these natural flea repellents can be applied to yards:
• Cedar oil
• Mulch
• Soil Nematodes
• Diatomaceous Earth
• D-limonene and other citrus oil extracts
If you’re continuing to battle flea infestations, a pest control management company can apply insect growth regulators and botanical insecticides to your lawn as part of a larger Integrated Pest Management effort.
Clean Up Your Home
Just like you can make your yard less attractive to fleas, you can also make your home environment hostile to them with regular cleaning practices.
Vacuuming
The suction of a vacuum cleaner is powerful enough to pry fleas, eggs, and larvae from your carpeting and furniture. This not only provides immediate flea bite relief for yourself and your pets by getting rid of adult fleas, but it also puts a big dent in their life cycle by eliminating or significantly reducing the next generation getting ready to hatch.
It’s best to be thorough with your vacuuming by taking advantage of vacuum attachments to reach under furniture and into the cracks and crevices where fleas hide. After you’ve finished, it’s crucial to dispose of the vacuum bag right away, because fleas can continue to breed in the bag and reinfect your home. Quickly wash your hands after you’ve thrown away the vacuum bag.
Deep Heat Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning has the same benefits as vacuuming, but can reach even deeper into carpet and fabrics and actually kills fleas, rather than just removing them. It also effectively removes larvae and eggs.
Steam cleaning has advantages over chemical insecticides, because it only uses heat to fill fleas, not harsh chemicals that could affect your family or pets. It also works immediately, destroying the outer layer of fleas and eggs on contact, while chemicals can take time to work.
Cleaning a steam cleaner after each usage for flea treatment is important for preventing re-infestation.
Washing Machine & Dryer
You might not notice just how much fabric is in your house until you’re dealing with an infestation. Luckily, a cycle in the washing machine and dryer is effective for dislodging and killing fleas, larvae, and eggs, and you can handle a lot of items at once. It’s easier and more efficient than hand-washing items, and makes it easier for you to make sure you’re hitting all of the fleas’ hot spots.
Set the washer and drying settings to the hottest possible temperature to kill fleas and their young. The rinse cycles and tumbling of the washing machine are particularly good at scraping out all residue that could be hiding larvae and eggs. Regularly machine washing bedding, clothes, and other fabric in your household is a convenient way to fight flea infestations.
Deep Cleaning of Home
Picking up clutter and deep cleaning your home is good for your comfort and peace of mind, as well as preventing flea infestations. Fleas tend to hide underneath furniture, and in piles of clothing or paper. Decluttering and cleaning your home also improves airflow and makes it less humid inside, which fleas don’t like.
Keeping your pets clean is an important part of keeping your environment clean. Getting your pets groomed regularly and keeping an eye out for fleas in their coats will help you catch potential problems early. If your pet is infected with fleas, bathe them with soap and water and run a flea comb through their fur.
When to Call the Pros
If you’ve tried many methods to rid your home of fleas, but nothing seems to work, it’s time to get some help. Pest control companies have industrial-grade equipment and expertise to cover the problem from all angles.
The Sloan Pest Control Promise
Sloan Pest Control uses only eco-friendly solutions that are healthy for you, your family, and your pets. We don’t believe in stopgap solutions. When we come to your home, we mean to rid you of fleas for good. If for any reason fleas return, so will Sloan Pest Control, at no extra charge.
Schedule a Free, No Obligation Inspection
Each home and infestation is different, which is why Sloan Pest Control has flexible scheduling and a personalized approach. Submit your contact information below to set up a free property inspection today.
