Helpful Tips For Flea Control

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     If your beloved pet has attracted the unwanted attentions of fleas, odds are that you cannot wait to get rid of the problem. If you want to be sure you are completely eradicating these pests from your home, you are going to have to do more than simply treat your animal with a shampoo. To get rid of fleas just like you would to get rid of roaches or similar undesirables, you are going to have to treat your entire home for the problem. If you do not, these pests are likely to take up residence within your carpets, bedding, furniture or other places frequented by your pet. Homeowners must take caution and be sure that fleas have been removed from carpets, otherwise eggs left to thrive will hatch and the problem will begin anew.

In addition to treating your pet with a flea shampoo, carpets and rugs must be washed properly. Perhaps, the easiest way to remove pests from floor rugs is to simply wash them in your machine. Remember that the soapier the water, the more likely the fleas are to perish. Carpets too big to be machine washed must be meticulously vacuumed. Afterward be sure to wrap the vacuum bag in plastic and to throw it away in a garbage bin outdoors.

Next, hire a professional carpet cleaner to sterilize the area via steam cleaner. Some pest control companies offer carpet cleaning services just as some carpet cleaning companies offer pest control services. If bringing in a professional is too pricy an option, you can always treat the carpets yourself with the appropriate insecticidal soap. Steam cleaners are also available to be rented for use by homeowners.

It is estimated that up to 50 percent of flea eggs can be contained by the simple act of vacuuming, so after you have thoroughly cleaned your carpets you can continue to rest easy simply by the regular use of a vacuum. Studies performed by Dr. Michael Drydon, a Kansas University professor of veterinary parasitology, revealed that vacuuming a nylon carpet controls these pests rather well.

In addition to vacuuming, continue to ward off fleas through the use of permethrin. Because this commonly used pesticide may create a health risk for family members, caution is advised. It is a good idea to vacuum often during the height of flea season as much as every other day and to pay special attention to those places where your pets like to lounge most. Vacuum furniture just as regularly and remove the vacuum bag each week.

Remember that even if you apply a strong pesticide to your home, vacuuming is still a very important part of flea control. After vacuuming and carpet cleaning, you may ensure that these pests are gone for good by spraying a flea-killing solution on the carpets and furniture. Ensure that solutions are safe for your pet by purchasing such solutions from a veterinarian. Those households with small children who spend a great deal of time close to the carpet should refrain from using such solutions.