How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Your House Permanently
Fleas can be controlled with a simple 3 step process that may have to be repeated in order to exterminate the surviving pupae of the first treatment.
In fact, the life cycle of fleas is divided into 4 phases: adults, eggs, larvae and pupae.
The adults are carried indoor by cats or dogs.
Once a flea takes a ride on a host, it immediately starts feeding on its blood, concentrating in areas difficult to reach and scratch like the neck and behind the shoulder blades.
No sooner have the fleas feasted on blood, than they release eggs in batches of 20, so when a pet walks indoor from its errands it naturally drops the eggs anywhere it walks, rests or sleeps.
The eggs will then hatch 2 days to 2 weeks later depending on humidity levels, then the newly released larvae will find nourishment on organic material like dead skin cells, hair and adult flea feces.
They hide in dark places like the edges of skirting boards or under beds and sofas.
Eventually the larvae spin a cocoon around themselves like caterpillars do before turning into butterfly.
The cocoon is virtually a chemical proof hardy shell, hence the need to repeat the treatment 2 weeks later after the first one.
The pupae later hatch into adults triggered by carbon monoxide or vibrations, clear signs of the presence of a new host on which to feed.
They may survive in this limbo like state for few months if necessary until the conditions are right for them to hatch.
The flea population in an infested house is composed by 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae and just 5% adults.
This means the problem is usually much bigger than the visible adults may suggest.
As a result, in order to get rid of fleas in your house you must undertake a 3 step process: A first, mass casualty approach is by vacuum cleaning thoroughly.
Treating the house, garden and yard with chemicals like IGR (insect growth regulator), methoprene or pyriproxyfen and others.
Treating human and pets to restore their health and take preventive steps for a re-occurrence.
Vacuuming must be thorough, particularly under beds, along skirting boards and over upholstery, beds and mattresses.
This first step will get rid of most of the fleas in your house.
Next, there are treatments like IGR on sale that interfere with the insect life cycle preventing it from developing into an adult and depositing more eggs.
Fogging and spraying are also effective, but furniture must be moved around for the fumes to infiltrate all crevices and recesses.
Also, the yard or garden are very important as fleas thrive in sand and dark, moist areas.
A good lawn mowing and general pruning will allow the sunlight to repel remaining light phobic flea larvae.
Fleas are some of the most common pests found in human environment.
They are always associated with pets like cats and dogs and in fact need a mammal host to carry adults and their eggs into a human environment, from where they can multiply and become a hazard to both human and pets health.
Fleas, their bites and other parasitic hosts they carry are responsible for a variety of skin conditions and even terrible diseases ranging from allergic reactions to rushes, inflammations and in historic times the plague, transmitted to humans through rat fleas.
A flea bite will result in a red circular area slightly swollen and itching.
The bite itself is not very painful, but the irritation is uncomfortable.
Adult cat fleas can typically strike at ankles and lower legs, however fleas can bite just about anywhere on the human body.
Some people may develop and allergic reaction to flea bites leading to rash or inflammation.
The most common on spot treatment for flea bites are antihistamines or hydrocortisone, while for pets there is a wide range of products to get rid of an infestation.
Over all, it is possible to get rid of fleas in your house permanently and effectively with a simple 3 step process.