Fleas are one of the most annoying parasites to deal. They're tiny, jumpy, and multiply quickly. Pets can pick up fleas from around other animals, outside in nature, or when humans track insects on our shoes or clothes.
Scratching and Excessive itching are signifying signs your pet may have fleas. You may even spot the little acrobats. Fleas are 2-4 millimetres long and can be easily visible to the naked eye.
If your family pet has fleas, your yard and house will likely become a breeding ground. Acting quickly is key to preventing the spread.
A flea infestation can require persistence and testing your patience. But you can eliminate the problem with cleaning methods, pet-friendly topical medications, and sprays, among other options.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are tiny dark brown or black parasitic insects that infest the skin and coat of pets. They have fantastic skills to jump up to 150 times their length, like a human jumping over 300 meters. Their excellent jumping skills enable them to transit easily between the surrounding environment and hosts.
How Will You Know If Your Pet Has Fleas?
Suppose you notice that your pet is scratching and seem quite irritated, which is one of the first signs of fleas. However, when you look closer, you may find fleas at the base of the fur on the skin or the coat. You may even find flea dirt, which looks like tiny black specks of grit, like finely ground pepper. Ten adult fleas can multiply into more than 250,000 fleas in only 30 days.
Understand the Flea's Life Cycle
The first step is understanding the Fleas, and it has a few life cycle stages:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Adult
After that, they hatch into larvae that can move on the host, flea dirt, and feed on blood. When it comes to the pupa stage, they form cocoons and wait there for several days or up to one year, preferably for the fleas in the comfort of your sofa, carpet, or bed until a warm-bodied host appears. Then they hatch, become adults, and infest your dog.
It's essential to know about these life cycle stages because different flea treatments for dogs are available. So remember to read the label before giving any flea-elimination products and ensure that you follow the instruction.
How Much Time Does It Take To Get Rid Of Fleas?
The timeline to get rid of fleas depends on the climate and how long fleas have been there.
The essential thing that will help you get rid of fleas within a day or two is rapid cleaning and using flea medication. However, eliminating all the fleas in the surroundings might take days or a few weeks, even with the most conscientious approach. Fleas can lay multiple eggs quickly, and some fleas have grown resistant to medications and insecticides. If you have multiple pets or colossal property, getting rid of the fleas might take longer. The only key to handling fleas is continuance.
How To Deal With A Flea Infestation
If you want to learn how to get rid of fleas, there are some steps you need to follow - just some simple tips on bathing your dog. Fighting a flea infection is not just one and done battle.
It is the one that may take days or maybe even weeks. It is not an easy job, but one has to do it right. Here are a few things you need to know to get rid of fleas in the house.
Getting Rid Of Fleas
Get rid of the fleas on your pet - I suggest you contact your vet about the flea treatment they recommend, as multiple flea treatments are available in the market. A vet can recommend the best medication that works well on your pet. Consider buying online after the vet's recommendation, where you will get at a lower price from 79Pets. Your pet might have larvae, eggs, or adult fleas, so you need to find a treatment that won't harm your pets.
- Clean up the floors. Fleas can end up in carpeting and cracks in tile or hardwood floors. Sweep up and mop the floors. Use a carpet cleaning service or device to deep clean the carpeting all over your house. Vacuum regularly to stop them from coming back, too.
- Cleanse the furniture. Fleas can also end up in sofas, chairs, beds, and other furniture. Clean those, too. Deep clean them with proper cleaning chemicals. Ask vets or pest experts for assistance with this if need be.
- Straighten up your yard. Fleas may have gotten in via your yard. They can hide in tall grasses and other vegetation around your home before leaping into dogs or humans. Trim back the vegetation, clean up the yard and keep it clean.
Do You Know Why Fleas Spread So Quickly?
Fleas generate at a tremendous rate. However, the fleas you are seeing n your dog are just 7-10% of the fleas in the environment. The other population is represented in the egg and larval stages which you will find in your furniture, bedding, carpet & garden.
The Bottom Line
Getting rid of fleas infection can be overwhelming, but plenty of tools are at your disposal.
You can kill fleas on contact and stop their reproduction if you act instantly. And you can do that by vacuuming and doing laundry at high heat. Keep your yard neat, and treat your pet with topical anti-flea ointment.
Remember that you must treat your yard, home, and pet simultaneously, which is most important. A combination approach works best to eliminate fleas and prevent future infections.
