Fleas are a common nuisance that can affect both pets and humans. These tiny, jumping insects feed on the blood of their hosts and can cause skin irritation and discomfort. While fleas are difficult to fully prevent, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting fleas and to get rid of them if they do show up. In this article, we will explore what fleas are, the problems they can cause, and most importantly, how to keep them off of you and out of your home.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are tiny wingless insects that survive as external parasites. They live off the blood of mammals and birds. The most common species that affect dogs and cats is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. This flea can live on a wide variety of hosts including dogs, cats, humans, raccoons, opossums and other wildlife.
Fleas are small, only about 1/16 to 1/8 inches long as adults. They are dark colored, from brown to black, and have bodies that are narrow and flattened which allows them to move quickly through fur and hair. Fleas are incredible jumpers, able to leap up to 8 inches vertically. This helps them move between hosts and avoid capture.
The flea life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult female fleas lay up to 50 eggs per day. The eggs fall off the host into carpets, bedding or outside. After 2-14 days, the eggs hatch into larvae which feed on organic debris. The larvae then spin a cocoon called a pupae around themselves.
The pupal stage can last from 1 week up to 1 year. Stimuli like the presence of a host, vibrations or increased carbon dioxide levels can trigger the pupae to emerge as adult fleas which then jump onto a host to feed. Once on a host, the fleas mate and female fleas begin laying eggs within 36-48 hours of emerging from their pupa, continuing the life cycle.
Problems Caused by Fleas
Fleas can cause a number of issues for their hosts including:
– Itching – Flea bites often cause intense itching. Fleas inject saliva as they feed, which triggers an immune response in the skin. The proteins and histamines in flea saliva provoke itching and inflammation.
– Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) – Some animals and people develop an allergy to flea saliva that causes intense itching, reddened skin and hair loss. This condition is called FAD and often worsens with repeated exposure.
– Skin Irritation – Flea bites can appear as small red bumps with a red “halo” around them. Scratching the area can cause further irritation and secondary infection.
– Anemia – In heavy infestations, particularly in very young or small animals, fleas can consume enough blood to cause anemia.
– Flea-borne Diseases – Fleas can transmit a number of diseases including bartonellosis, tapeworms and in rare cases even plague.
– Flea Infestation of Home – Without prevention and control, fleas can take over your house leading to an ongoing struggle with the parasites.
Clearly, fleas can have both irritating and dangerous consequences so it’s important to try to prevent infestations and to get rid of fleas as quickly as possible.
Tips to Prevent Fleas on Yourself
The best tactic is keeping fleas off yourself in the first place. Here are some top recommendations to prevent fleas from jumping onto you:
– Use a repellent – Applying an insect repellent that contains DEET when outside can prevent fleas from biting you. Spray repellent on pants, socks and shoes which are common places fleas first access when climbing on you. Reapply as needed.
– Avoid flea habitats – When outside, try to avoid areas fleas are frequently found like tall grasses and underbrush. These provide the moist, shaded areas fleas favor. Stick to open, sunny areas when possible.
– Inspect pets – Check your own pets as well as other pets you handle closely for fleas. Use preventives on your pets and recommend them to others. Treat pets if you spot fleas.
– Shake off outside – Before going inside, shake off outdoor shoes, clothing and pets. This dislodges any fleas that may have jumped on while outside.
– Bathe promptly – Take a shower as soon as you can after spending time outdoors. This washes off and drowns any fleas.
– Check for “flea dirt” – Flea dirt appears as tiny dark specks of dried blood. Seeing it on your socks or furniture indicates flea infestation.
– Wash and dry clothes – After being outdoors, immediately wash clothing in hot water and dry on high heat. This will kill any fleas or eggs picked up outside.
– Don’t allow pets on furniture – Don’t let pets hang out on upholstered furniture, beds and carpets. This prevents their fleas from infesting these areas.
– Vacuum frequently – Often vacuum carpets, furniture and other fabric surfaces which can harbor flea eggs and larvae. Dispose of the vacuum bag right away.
How to Get Rid of Fleas
If fleas do make it inside and onto you or your pets, you’ll need to take action to get rid of them. Here are effective steps for removing fleas:
– Bathe pets – Bathe your pets with a veterinarian-recommended flea shampoo. For dogs, lather their neck first to trap fleeing fleas.
– Treat all pets – Treat all your pets with an effective spot-on or oral flea preventive medication. Apply monthly.
– Wash bedding – Strip beds and wash all bed linens, blankets and pet beds in hot, soapy water to kill fleas and eggs.
– Vacuum obsessively – Vacuum carpets, furniture, cracks and crevices thoroughly focusing on areas pets frequent. Vacuum daily during infestation.
– Use an IGR – Apply an insect growth regulator (IGR) like methoprene or pyriproxyfen to carpets and furniture. This prevents larvae and eggs from developing. Reapply monthly.
– Set flea traps – Use sticky traps with a small light over them to attract and catch adult fleas. Change traps every few days until fleas decline.
– Treat the yard – Ask your vet or pest control company about outdoor flea treatments for your yard if fleas are rampant.
– Call a professional – For serious infestations, consult a professional pest control company about foggers or whole-home flea treatments.
– Maintain prevention – Continue using flea prevention products on your pets year-round to prevent re-infestation and break the flea life cycle.
With diligence, you can send fleas packing! It takes commitment to getting all your animals treated, cleaning thoroughly and using products that kill fleas and their eggs. Don’t give up – removing all fleas from your home is possible.
Natural Flea Repellents
For pet owners or others looking for more natural approaches to flea control, there are a number of plant-based and natural flea repellent options to explore:
| Natural Repellent | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Cedar oil | Has a strong scent that naturally repels insects including fleas |
| Lemon and citrus | Contains citronellal and linalool that fleas dislike |
| Apple cider vinegar | Changes the pH on skin making it less attractive |
| Essential oils | Oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree have insect repelling properties |
| Herbs | Herbs including lavender, fennel, pennyroyal, rosemary and wormwood have flea repelling abilities |
| Diatomaceous earth | Dries out and damages fleas’ exoskeleton |
These natural options are generally safer than chemical pesticides, especially when used properly. Most need to be reapplied fairly often to maintain effectiveness. Also research safety before use, especially for cats who are sensitive to some essential oils and herbs. A holistic vet can provide guidance on natural flea prevention.
Flea Prevention Products for Pets
The cornerstone of flea control is using highly effective flea prevention products on all household pets. Here are the major types of veterinarian-recommended flea control products for pets:
| Product Type | Examples | How it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Spot-ons | Frontline, Advantage II, Bravecto | Applied to skin, kills existing fleas and prevents reinfestation from 1-3 months |
| Oral | Nexgard, Bravecto | Chewable tablets kill fleas and prevent infestation for 1-3 months |
| Collars | Preventic, Seresto | Collar releases insecticide gradually providing months of protection |
| Shampoos | Adams, Vet Solutions | Kill fleas on contact through insecticidal compounds |
| Sprays | Vet’s Best, Adams | Alcohol-free sprays applied over whole body to rapidly kill fleas |
| Dips | Vet-Kem Ovitrol | Full body immersion kills existing fleas and provides short-term residual effects |
These products require a prescription or approval from your veterinarian. Use products designed specifically for the species of pet you are treating (cat, dog, ferret etc). Follow label directions carefully for proper use, especially when bathing or swimming pets.
Flea Medications for Humans
While less common, people can also develop flea infestations and may need medications to get rid of the pests. Here are some flea control products for human use:
| Medication | Form | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Permethrin | Cream, spray | Applied to skin, kills fleas for up to 2 weeks |
| Ivermectin | Oral tablet | Oral dose kills fleas present; may need repeat doses |
| Malathion | Lotion | Alcohol-based lotion kills and prevents reinfestation for 1 week |
| Pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide | Shampoo, sprays | Combination product kills live fleas and prevents reinfestation |
| Lindane | Shampoo | Prescription shampoo that kills fleas and their eggs |
Follow instructions carefully as some of these products are toxic if misused. Products applied to skin have a short residual effect so repeat applications are needed. See your doctor to get appropriate medications to safely eliminate fleas and avoid reinfestation.
Natural Indoor Flea Treatment
If you want to take a non-toxic approach to kicking fleas out of your house, there are several natural indoor flea remedies to try:
– **Diatomaceous earth -** Spread food-grade diatomaceous earth on carpets and furniture. The sharp edges cut fleas’ exoskeletons.
– **Salt -** Sprinkle salt on carpets and rugs then brush it in and vacuum up after a few hours. The salt dries out and kills fleas.
– **Borax -** Just like salt, borax can be sprinkled on flooring to kill fleas by dehydration. Vacuum up borax after it sits.
– **Heat -** Use a space heater or blow dryer to gradually heat an infested room to at least 130°F to kill all stages of fleas.
– **Steam -** Use steam cleaners to penetrate carpets, furniture, cracks and crevices to heat fleas to death.
– **Essential oils -** Spray combinations of flea-repelling essential oils like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus etc on floors and fabrics.
– **Traps -** Set out sticky traps with lights over them or place flat pan traps under furniture legs to catch fleas.
– **Spring cleaning -** Thoroughly wash all linens, vacuum under furniture, seal cracks and eliminate clutter where fleas can live.
Focus natural methods on areas pets frequent and where fleas congregate. Integrate multiple strategies like traps, vacuum, diatomaceous earth and steam cleaning for best results.
Flea Control Products for the Home
If you have a serious flea infestation within your home, you may need to use stronger pesticide products to eliminate the pests. Here are some effective flea killing products for indoor use:
| Treatment Type | Examples | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Foggers | Hot Shot, Zodiac | Aerosol insecticides released through home |
| Sprays | Vet’s Best, Adams | Targeted spray application on carpets, furniture etc |
| Powders | Boractin, Zodiac | Sprinkled on carpets and vacuumed up later |
| Pet shampoos | Adams, Zodiac, Sentry | Shampoo to kill fleas on pets |
| IGRs | Precor, Archer | Applied to interrupt flea life cycle |
| Professional control | Orkin, Terminix | Whole-home treatments by pest management pros |
Carefully follow label directions on any insecticide products. Wear gloves and open windows to provide ventilation. The goal is to kill all stages of fleas in order to fully break their life cycle in your home. Combining products that kill adults along with IGRs that prevent future generations is ideal.
Outdoor Flea Treatment Options
To help reduce flea populations in areas around your home, there are also some outdoor flea control products and options:
– **Flea & tick yard spray** – Products like Suspend and Bayer Advanced that can treat lawns, under decks and around foundations.
– **Perimeter treatment** – Professionals can treat the area where your lawn meets any surrounding forests or shrubbery to prevent fleas from migrating in.
– **Flea collars** – Place flea collars in sheds, garages or other structures where feral or wild animals may live in order to kill fleas on those animals.
– **Keep grass short** – Maintain your lawn at 3 inches or less to expose fleas to heat and dryness.
– **Remove debris** – Rake up leaves, brush and organic debris where rodents and wildlife may live and breed fleas.
– **Clear brush** – Trim back overgrown vegetation around your property which offers ideal flea habitat. Opening things up removes their protective breeding ground.
– **Treat pets** – Using effective flea prevention on outdoor pets like dogs and cats prevents them from bringing fleas inside.
Focus outside treatments within about 20-30 feet of the home’s foundation where fleas are most likely to come in contact with pets or people. Combining sanitation, landscape modification and targeted treatments provides well-rounded flea control.
Conclusion
Fleas can certainly be a nuisance, but with vigilance they don’t have to take over your life or home. The keys are treating all pets with reliable flea medications, thoroughly cleaning inside to destroy eggs and larvae, and taking steps like vacuuming, washing bedding and using flea control products to kill adults. For severe infestations, foggers and professional treatments may be needed to knock back flea populations.
While not always completely preventable, fleas can be managed even in high-risk scenarios by staying on top of your pet’s prevention treatments, monitoring carefully for signs of fleas, and taking prompt action when these pests do pop up. With the array of modern products for pets and homes, as well as some good ol’ fashioned cleaning, fleas can be kept at bay so you and your furry family members can live flea-free.
