No matter how cute your pet is — and particularly if you don't even have one — it's never pleasant to deal with getting rid of a flea infestation. But deal with it you must, especially since the presence of fleas can cause a variety of medical problems, including flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), the transmission of tapeworms, secondary skin irritations, and, in rare instances, anemia.
The good news for you (if not for your furry friends) is that fleas generally prefer animal hosts to humans. This means that the likely carrier of this irritating pest is your family pet. Unfortunately, while fleas generally prefer to live on animal hosts, their eggs can also find their way into your pet’s bedding. And the eggs left on your pet will invariably fall off and collect in your human beds, clothing, carpets, cars - anywhere, in fact, your pet goes.
If you are the unwitting victim of a flea ‘invasion’ you need to thoroughly clean everything that has come into contact with the infested animal in order to get rid of as many eggs and larvae as possible.
Here's How to Get Rid of Fleas in 6 Easy Steps:
Get rid of your pet’s fleas ̶ immediately! If you’re certain that your pet is the source of your flea infestation you should take several steps. Wash your pet’s bedding in extremely hot water every day or two, and make sure you dry it on your dryer’s highest possible heat setting after each wash. Of course, you can also take your pet’s bedding to a professional dry cleaner, although you run the risk of exposing your pet to cleaning chemicals are not pet friendly. Next, wash your pet with flea shampoo. Best to ask your vet or a reputable pet supply store which products are safest and most effective. Then, buy a flea comb and use it frequently. Tip: Have a bowl of hot, soapy water to hand so you can expunge the fleas as you remove them from your pet’s fur. Fleas are usually found around the neck and tail areas. Finally, consult your vet and get recommendations about the best and safest oral or topical flea products.
Clean all affected rooms and remove all clutter. You want to clean out and organize all the affected rooms. Now is the time to go through stacks of old papers and mail. Get rid of clutter where fleas and their eggs might be hiding. While each species of flea tends to prefer a particular animal species upon which to prey, the fact is that 75% of a flea’s life is passed somewhere other than the host animal. That’s why it’s important to treat the host's environment as quickly as possible, be it home or office, or anywhere else for that matter! Because fleas are proficient at jumping and, have bodies are flattened from side to side, they are able to move almost anywhere. That ‘anywhere’ can include piles of newspapers and discarded papers, bedding, carpets, air ducts, dusty attics, even lampshades and dirty laundry. And, because these pests can hide almost anywhere, you should de-clutter your house or office as efficiently as possible. Remove unwanted newspaper and magazines and clean air conditioners and air ducts.
Sweep, vacuum and mop - thoroughly. Vacuum everything. Nothing should be excluded from your cleaning efforts: furniture, beds, chairs, upholstery, mattresses, carpets and rugs, cracks in the floor, corners, behind doors, anywhere, in fact, that dust can settle. Make sure you use a really powerful vacuum cleaner, especially on floors and carpeting. This should remove most of the eggs, but keep in mind that flea larvae will fasten onto carpet fibers and do their best to linger. After vacuuming, remove the vacuum bag immediately place it in an outside trash receptacle. Tip: A combination of high heat and soap is the enemy of fleas everywhere. If you want to be extra cautious in your cleaning regimen you could use a steam cleaner for your carpets and upholstery, as well as your pet’s bedding. Finally, try to keep your house or office is as dust-free as possible. Wipe down vases, CD collections, telephones, knick-knacks, picture frames, shelves, and more. Any of them could be harboring some fleas. Tip: use a damp cloth or rag so you don’t simply lift the dust (and thus the fleas) into the air.
Treat all inanimate objects with Sterifab. Unfortunately, fleas will not vanish of their own volition. Sterifab is one of the best way to get rid of them. Best of all, Sterifab not only a highly effective flea treatment, it also kills bed bugs, lice, ticks, and a host of other insects. Plus, it also sanitizes and deodorizes, and is completely nonresidual.
Wash all sheets and bedding in HOT water. Treating your pet’s bedding is only the first step in eradicating unwelcome fleas. Chances are that these fleas have also made their home in your bedding, but the fact is that you can probably find them anywhere ̶ curtains, blankets, throws, coverlets, carpets, drapes and shutters and so on. Make sure you wash bedding at least once a week. Again, use the hottest water temperature possible. It’s the only way to ensure that you have killed any fleas that might be present. Make it a regular part of your anti-flea treatment.
Repeat the process after 3-4 weeks. Even if you think that you have succeeded at getting rid of fleas, you want to repeat this whole process, from the beginning. This will go a long way in making sure that the fleas don't come back, either to your pet, or to your home as a whole.
Some more reasons why Sterifab is great for getting rid of fleas:
Sterifab can be used to treat practically any inanimate object or location, and there are no other U.S. EPA-registered products that can boast so many uses – viricide, bactericide, sanitizer, insecticide, deodorant, germicide, disinfectant, mildewcide, fungicide, bacteriostatic or fungistatic.
Deodorizes and controls odor-causing organisms
Sanitizes and deodorizes restrooms.
Is one of the few products labeled for use on mattresses and upholstered furniture.
Dries in 15-20 minutes, is biodegradable, and leaves no residue
Can be used on everything ̶ except people, animals and cooking utensils
How to Prevent Future Flea Infestations
Unfortunately, controlling fleas is really an on-going operation. So, once you’ve used Sterifab ̶ and whatever flea control agent you decide to use as a pet treatment ̶ it’s best if you synchronize your anti-flea efforts with both pet treatments and the indoor and outdoor eradication efforts.
After your house (or office) you should turn your attention to your yard, if you have one! Here are some tips for getting rid of fleas in your yard:
Identify those places that are warm, shady and humid. Chances are good that they harbor fleas - and probably a large number of other pests that you don’t ever want in your home. Dig them out or otherwise remove them.
Mow the lawn regularly since fleas love to hide in tall grass. Rake over all the uncovered areas, but do not add the clippings to your compost heap; you’ll just be moving the fleas around. Instead, bag the grass cuttings and put it out with the trash.
Get rid of any things like leaves, weeds, prunings, brush and woody material, as well as construction debris, loose dirt, sod, rocks and branches. It’s time-consuming, but definitely worth it in the long run.
And, if you want to go a step further, try spreading cedar chips in the flea-prone areas.