Fleas are frustrating because most of the population isn't on your pet. Eggs, larvae and pupae live in carpets, furniture and bedding, and keep hatching for weeks. Breaking the cycle means treating the pet and the home at the same time. For professional help, see flea and tick control, or visit our page on pest control in Prattville, AL.
Signs of a flea problem
- pets scratching, chewing their skin or losing fur, especially at the neck and base of the tail
- tiny dark specks in pet bedding
- itchy bites around your ankles
What the EPA recommends at home
- vacuum every day, which the EPA calls the best method for initial control, focusing on carpets, upholstered furniture, cracks, baseboards and where pets sleep
- steam clean carpets, since hot water and soap can kill fleas in all stages
- wash pet bedding, and any family bedding pets lie on, in hot, soapy water every two to three weeks
- for a severe infestation, throw out old pet bedding and replace it
- use a flea comb on the neck and tail areas, dropping fleas into hot, soapy water
Treat the pet with your veterinarian
Use flea products recommended by your veterinarian, and follow the label for your pet's species and weight. The EPA also notes that keeping pets indoors as much as possible reduces their chances of picking up fleas and ticks.
When to call a pro
If you're still seeing fleas after a few weeks of vacuuming and pet treatment, a professional can treat carpets, furniture and the yard together, then follow up to catch fleas that hatch later. Homes with several pets, or yards next to woods like parts of Kingston Hills, often benefit from treating outdoors too, which also helps with ticks. See ticks in Alabama.
Common flea mistakes
- treating only the pet and not the home, where most of the flea population lives
- stopping daily vacuuming too soon, before eggs and pupae finish hatching
- using a dog flea product on a cat. Some contain ingredients that are toxic to cats, so use only products labeled for each animal
- forgetting the car, pet carriers and any furniture pets use
Keep it from coming back
Keep pets on year-round prevention from your veterinarian, wash pet bedding regularly, vacuum often and keep the yard mowed. The EPA notes that keeping pets indoors as much as possible lowers their chances of picking up fleas and ticks.