Getting rid of fleas can involve several strategies which depend on the conditions encountered. Regardless of the strategy chosen, determination will be required to get rid of fleas. Fleas strive to persist where they are comfortable. Pet owners and others with flea problems should be aware of several of these strategies and choose the ones best for them. It will be a good idea to think about the various effects of fleas on humans, on pets, and on the living area. It is also important to know the four-stage life cycle of fleas and deal with fleas with a continuing program.
Anti-itch creams are available to give relief to humans who live in situations where fleas might get at them. Make sure the cream is known to be effective for flea bites. Calamine lotions will not work. A bath with sodium bicarbonate will help reduce itching. While such measures may give temporary comfort, they will do nothing to eliminate the causes of their problem which are the fleas.
How to Get Rid of Fleas
A program of regular and frequent pet shampooing is essential for all pet owners. A number of excellent shampoo preparations are available in pet supply stores or at your pet care shop. These shampoos will kill the adult fleas, their eggs and their larvae. The dormant hibernating cocoon may resist such shampoos, but these will eventually emerge and the resulting adults can be eliminated in the next shampooing, providing it is frequent and regular.
A pet can pick up fleas from anywhere. Fleas can jump up to 6 feet and they lurk in the pet by-ways anxious for a source of warm blood. Just assume that a couple of weeks after a thorough shampoo, your pet is totally infested again. For this reason, only the frequently shampooed pets remain essentially flea-free.
Flea repellent, applied three days after a shampoo, can reduce the number of fleas that will want to climb aboard your pet. These preparations are improving and should be considered.
The pet itself is not the only object for your anti-flea campaign. The place where the pet stays should be treated with preparations that will kill adult fleas, their eggs and larvae. This includes carpets and furniture as well as the dog house or litter box. The yard where the pet spends some time may also need some treatment. The more wide ranging your pet is, the more likely it is to become infested again—soon.