The Battle With Dog Fleas Can Be Won
Fleas have to be the most annoying thing that most pet owners inevitably deal with at one time or another. The hardest part of getting rid of fleas is that they seem to just keep coming back. Most often the reason that fleas “keep coming back” is that you never fully got rid of them in the first place. The second you notice your pet might have fleas, you have to start the flea control process immediately, as time is of the essence when it comes to stopping fleas from multiplying.
There are two significant areas that will require your attention. You must pay attention to both areas otherwise you will never win the battle against a flea infestation. The first and most obvious area of attention is your pet itself. The second area of importance is killing the fleas that have jumped off or have fallen off your pet and now live in your carpets or linens. The second category also includes flea larvae.
There are a number of different ways to treat fleas on your dog. You can use commercially available flea products such as Frontline. This is often the most effective method of flea eradication. These products can easily be found in your local pet store. Some people don’t like to use these products and would prefer a natural way of getting rid of fleas. You can try to get rid of fleas naturally using such things as talcum powder, garlic, and olive oil. Each of these methods id effective in getting rid of fleas.
Getting rid of fleas in your house can be difficult. The first step is to wash all bedding that your cat or dog may have come into contact with. Wash everything in hot water and dry it in a tumble dryer if possible. There will be flea larvae in the bedding. The only safe and natural way to kill these is with hot water. Take every mat or area rug outside and don’t bring them back in until they have been thoroughly cleaned.
Once everything that you can pick up has been washed, you need to go through the house top to bottom, everywhere your dog has been, and vacuum. Be especially careful to vacuum corners and cracks in floorboards, in closets, under beds, and all your upholstery. Even better, steam clean your carpets and upholstered furniture to get rid of flea eggs and larvae. Throw out your vacuum bag once you have finished the task, which will prevent fleas from escaping, or larvae from hatching and re-infesting your house.
Getting rid of fleas can be an arduous and monumental task. You need to be diligent and methodical. Fleas pose a serious health issue to your pet and also to your family. Devote an entire weekend to the task. If you seriously attack the issue whole-heartedly then you will have the most success.
