1. Treat Your Yard
The source of your flea troubles comes from the yard. It never fails; we will get calls from people who don’t have pets during flea season. They don’t understand how they can have a flea issue when they have no animals to attract them. This is a common myth because fleas love to hitch a ride on pets, but they can also grab onto your clothes to come inside.
If you’ve been working in the yard, you should immediately launder your clothes and shower. Fleas aren’t the only pest that likes to attack humans, as chiggers are also a common problem. Thankfully, your yard can be treated to kill virtually anything in the pest world.
By creating this protective barrier, you’re reducing the risk that they come into your home. Some areas are more prone to fleas than others, specifically those who live in rural communities or close to the ocean. So, by treating the yard and using preventative measures, you will reduce the chances of an infestation.
2. Treat Your Pets
Did you know that your pet needs flea and tick preventatives year-round? Only treating them in the spring and summer months is not sufficient. No matter where you live in the state, you can have a flea infestation well into the winter months.
When your pet is protected with these medications, fleas die when they bite the pet or are repelled altogether. It all depends on which variety of medication you use. Even if your pet does encounter a flea in your yard, they’re not going to bring them into the house where they can cause a further issue.
The problem with not treating your pet is they can pick up fleas outside and bring them in, where they start their reproduction at alarming rates. So, treating your pet is an integral part of keeping the fleas at bay. Additionally, you can’t treat one pet and not the other. We often hear from people that their cat doesn’t go outside, so they don’t need to be treated.
This belief is a fallacy, as all pets need treatment. Whether they go outside or not is not a significant factor. You can bring fleas in on your pant legs, and other animals can bring them inside. Your cats and dogs need protection to keep fleas out of your abode.
3. Vacuum Frequently
Even if you don’t see fleas in your home, vacuuming is excellent to keep things clean. If a flea slips in, they can drop eggs in your carpets that you don’t see. The vacuum and rollers will dislodge these eggs and keep them from hatching.
If you have a bag-style sweeper, you need to ensure that you empty the bag frequently, as the eggs can still hatch. The same goes for the cup-style sweepers, as you need to put the contents you sweep up into a bag and put them in the trashcan outside. Don’t be afraid to use your attachments and vacuum beds and furniture. These actions will help keep things under control during the busiest flea months.
4. Wash Pet Beds Often
It’s only natural that fleas will settle in Fido’s bedding. If your dog or cat has beds and blankets, make sure you launder these in hot water. This will kill any fleas or eggs that are left behind. Even if the pet is treated, it’s possible they can bring fleas with them on their fur before they’ve bitten them.
These living fleas can get into carpeting or bedding and start their reproduction. Humans can’t take such pills, so they can feed on you if there’s no other source available.
5. Limit Pets Time Outside
While your pets love to spend time in the great outdoors when the sun is shining, you should limit them a bit. The longer they’re outside, the more likely they will get fleas and mites on their fur. Pets can also be stung by bees and bitten by spiders too.
If they interact with wild or stray animals, this only increases the chances of them developing a flea issue. Additionally, just because a pet is treated doesn’t always mean it won’t have problems. The fleas can become immune to the treatment, which is often seen in a “super flea” condition.
If your pets have spent a great deal of time outdoors, you should bathe and comb them. Flea combs are the best thing for getting rid of any dander on the pet and live fleas and eggs. They may need this extra step when they’ve been outside for more extended periods.
6. Check Your Pets Regularly
We often hear that people had no clue where this flea problem crept upon them. However, if you’re checking your pets constantly, you can prevent the issue from becoming too severe. If you see your animal digging, scratching, chewing, and biting at themselves, it’s a pretty good indication something is going on.
Don’t ignore these warnings as your pet is miserable and they’ve been bitten. You can always tell if a flea is involved by the dirt they leave behind, even if you don’t see a live flea.
7. Keep Yard Mowed and Clear Debris
Mowing your lawn outside does the same thing as vacuuming inside, as it helps to keep the flea population down. One thing to remember is that fleas love a moist yard where they can feel the sun’s warmth. The higher the weeds, the more the number of fleas.
Even if you cut your yard super low, it’s not going to do much good if you don’t weed eat around the property’s perimeter. Additionally, if you have grass clippings, leaf debris, and other things lying in the yard, this will attract them. Fleas love the moist and humid conditions, and you don’t want them reproducing in your yard.
Fleas are not just a problem for your pets, as they can bite you or your children. If you have a flea issue in your yard, wear long pants instead of shorts to keep from getting bit. Also, don’t wear flip-flops or open-toed shoes, as tennis shoes are the best option when you’re at risk.
You should only have to do this until you get the flea issue under control in the yard, but you should always observe these habits in the woods or a field.
8. Keep Rodents at Bay
If you recall the Bubonic Plague of the 1300s, you know that it killed more than 200 million people. It was called the Black Death due to the catastrophic numbers of lost lives. How did all this start? It was fleas biting the rodents who entered the homes of unsuspecting people.
Fleas infected with the Yersinia pestis bacterium bit rats and mice and infected them. When these rodents made their way into the home, they would often bite people or leave a trail of bacteria in their feces or urine. The disease quickly infected people and left them with high fevers, seizures, and glandular swelling.
Though this zoonic disease is still around in small numbers, it’s not nearly as dangerous. Today it can easily be treated with antibiotics. However, just because you’re not in danger of the Black Plague doesn’t mean that you won’t have other issues from rodents. If a pet isn’t nearby, fleas will use mice or rats as their hosts.
It would help if you did what you could to keep these rodents out of your home. Doing the following things can help:
- Keep all pet food covered
- Clear the dishes after dinner
- Don’t leave trash uncovered inside or outside the home
- Seal off any entryways
- Keep traps set in prone areas like the basem*nt, garage, and attic
- Call in extermination if you see more than a couple in a short period
Keeping bird feeders around your home seems harmless, but birds aren’t the only thing eating from these feeders. You will often see squirrels, as well as other rodents, feasting. Even if the feeder is rodent-proof, they will still get it on the ground, which can cause an issue.
