Make an Internet search on ‘how to get rid of dog fleas in the house’ and you will end up with a million results that promise a quick solution. All of this information can be very overwhelming to those looking for easy ways to get rid of dog fleas around the house and on their pet. Many of the strategies might work but most are a total waste of money and time. We are here to solve the problem. This site is about easy ways to do everything and we list down only the easiest and most effective ways. Here is a quick rundown on easy ways to get rid of dog fleas fast.
1. Use Frontline®- correctly
We do not wish to promote any specific dog or cat flea and tick products. However, Frontline® is a proven medicine that really works, provided you apply it correctly. Use the prescribed amount using a pipette and apply it on each dog or cat in your care. Make sure you use the appropriate dose based on the animal’s weight and treat every pet. This product is known to kill all adult and larval fleas as well as their eggs within 24 hours. It is indeed one of the easy ways to get rid of fleas fast.
2. Clean and vacuum the house thoroughly
Vacuum the house thoroughly since simply treating the animals is not enough. Adult female fleas lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime. These eggs easily fall off in the pet’s surroundings where they hatch into larvae. So it is very important to clean the entire household. Make sure you vacuum under the carpets and behind the furniture to mechanically get rid of adult, larvae and pupae stages of fleas. Fleas could also hide inside cracks and crevices, or in the headboards, floorboards etc. If needed, treat the entire house with Diatomaceous Earth powder or Borax powder. Both these powders are known to shred the exoskeleton of the fleas killing them instantly. Keep kids and pets away during the duration of the treatment.
3. Do not forget to treat the yard
Pet owners often forget this important point. However, majority of the fleas get into your home and surroundings through your yard. So make sure you mow the lawn, de-clutter the deck and patio and also trim the hedges. This will reduce the harborage areas for wild animals such as possums and raccoons which often bring fleas into your homes. Also spray beneficial nematode sprays around the yard to kill fleas and ticks. This is a very important step to follow when trying to rid your home off fleas and ticks.
4. Wash the curtains, bedding and linen
Strip your entire home of the curtains, bed sheets, pillow covers, upholstery and other linen. Pack and seal these things in plastic bags and wash them at home. Alternatively, take them to the dry cleaners or to nearest Laundromat for washing. Have all these fabrics cleaned on the highest heat setting. In the mean time, vacuum your home and apply Borax powder to all those areas where your pet lingers. Make sure to seal all toys, water and food bowls, and other items from the floor in plastic bags. Wash and clean these items with water and vinegar solution. This is a surefire way to get rid of fleas and ticks in the home.
5. Get rid of fleas with vinegar
One of the best ways to get rid of fleas is to use vinegar. Wipe down surfaces with vinegar solution and also use diluted apple cider vinegar as a final rinse when bathing the infested pet. Vinegar solution can also be used for soaking the pet’s bedding. This is a non-chemical method of getting rid of fleas from the house quickly.
6. Wash the pet’s bedding in hot water
Certain stages of fleas cannot withstand high temperatures greater than 60 F. So soak the bedding, toys and other pet items in very hot water as they can withstand without getting damaged. You can also run these things through a dryer as long as the heat will not damage the fabric of the bedding. It is one of the easiest ways to get rid of fleas and ticks from the house.
7. Give a medicated bath to kills fleas on the pet
Many pet owners are not comfortable using Frontline® to get rid of fleas on the dogs or cat’s body. In such a case, you could use a flea shampoo on the pet as well as powders, sprays etc. You could also use medicated baths to dip the pet into. This is especially an easy way to rid fleas on small dogs or cats.
8. Take the pet to a professional
If you are dealing with a massive flea infestation, then it is best to take the dog or cat to a professional to have it de-wormed and de-fleaed. Professionals have the right tools and equipment and can even treat the animal with a round of injections that show fantastic results fast.
9. Feed the pet a healthy diet
It is very important to feed the dog or cat a healthy diet complete with biotin, omega 3 essential fatty acids and other B-vitamins. This will help strengthen its immune system to fight flea infestation from within. Some pet owners have seen good results by adding Brewer’s Yeast to the dog or cat food.
10. Add apple cider vinegar to your pet’s drinking water
You can easily get rid of fleas with vinegar. Simply add a few drops of organic Apple cider vinegar to the pet’s drinking water. This will maintain the pH of the pet giving it a healthier and shinier coat. It will help your pet repel all kinds of parasites.
11. Avoid taking the pet outdoors in grassy areas
Pets are most likely to bring fleas home from grassy areas. Only take the pet out for a walk in clearly marked areas devoid of dense vegetation. This easy prevention tip can help you avoid fleas.
12. Groom and comb the pet
Long haired pets need a daily round of combing and grooming. Tick and flea combs detect parasites in the early stages of infestation. Drop the caught fleas in a solution of alcohol to kill them instantly.
Repeat all above steps for ongoing flea prevention. These 12 easy ways to get rid of dog fleas in your home will help you keep things under control. However, you must repeat all of the above steps every 2 weeks as a part of ongoing flea control. This will help you keep your pets and your home free from fleas, ticks and other harmful parasites.
