Preventing and Disinfecting Your Carpet from Fleas

Fleas are a nuisance, like any pest, that can be difficult to get rid of once infected. The good news is that it is not impossible, and with the help of this guide, we will go over the basics of preventing an infestation as well as getting rid of one.

Prevention

The easiest way to get rid of fleas is to not let them become a problem in the first place. Here are some methods you can use to ensure that you have the strongest defense possible:

• Check Pets
  • One of the most common ways fleas make it into the house is through our pets. If you notice that your pet is scratching more than normal, check to make sure they do not have fleas. If you fear your pet has fleas, consider purchasing a flea brush that is designed to trap fleas between its very thin, narrow bristles. To further ensure your pet is clean from the pests, give them a bath afterward with specialized flea soap. The combination of the water and soap will ensure that all fleas on your pet are disposed of as quickly as possible. After you are sure your pet is clean, consider taking them to the vet for medication or purchasing a flea collar. However, be aware of what chemicals are in the collar. A collar that contains organophosphates, with prolonged exposure, can cause allergic reactions that can turn harmful if not treated immediately. Do research before purchasing a collar, should you decide to go down that route.
• Gardening
  • Often unknown, but there are a variety of plants that act as a natural repellant for fleas. Many, if not all, can be purchased locally at the store, and simply planted in the garden at your home. Plants act as a cheap, useful deterrent against fleas.
    • Chamomile
    • Lavender
    • Lemongrass
    • Mint
    • Rosemary
    • Sage
  • Essential Oils
    • By mixing certain essential oils along with water, you can make your own flea repellant right at home! This is a great preventive measure to take before or after an infestation. However, cat owners beware, cats are highly sensitive to essential oils and will react extremely poorly if exposed to the oils. These methods will only work for dogs. The essential oils that will work for this are as follows:
      • Bergamot
      • Citronella
      • Eucalyptus
      • Lavender
      • cedarwood
      • geranium
      • lemon
      • lemongrass
      • peppermint
      • rosemary
      • sage
      • sweet orange

Disinfecting

If you already have an infestation, however, preventative steps will do nothing for you at the moment. Therefore, below are a few tips you can use to rid yourself of your unwelcomed guests.

• Vacuum
  • Regardless of where the fleas are located, vacuuming will ensure they are taken care of. Once you feel you have vacuumed enough, remove the bad or canister from the vacuum, empty it into a trash bag, and proceed to tie it as tightly as possible. Quickly remove it from your house and place it outside far away from the house.
• Steam Clean
  • Steam clears are another great way to dispose of both eggs and adult fleas quickly and safely. Once you have steam cleaned an area to your liking, vacuum the area to dispose of any dead fleas. Dispose of the bag outside as quickly as possible to ensure proper cleanup.
• Indoor Insecticide
  • When using any indoor insecticide, it is VITAL that you pay attention to what you are purchasing. Make sure that the spray is safe for you, your family (especially kids), and pets. If the wrong one is purchased, the side effects are painful and life-threatening for humans and pets. Keep your whole family safe, pay attention.
• Diatomaceous Earth
  • A great alternative to insecticide, diatomaceous earth (food grade) is just as effective at disposing of your infestation. Ensure that the food-grade is purchased and NOT the swimming pool grade. Food grade diatomaceous is safe to ingest for large animals (pets and children included), but for insects with an exoskeleton, death is inevitable if they happen to walk along with the metaphorical microscopic razors.

Calling Professionals

If any of these options scare you, or you would rather have a professional do it, give Accurate Pest Control a call! We will be more than happy to work with you to remove the pests in the most efficient way possible. We put your family’s safety as our top priority and use only the highest quality materials. When you choose Accurate Pest Control, you can consider your pest issues a thing of the past!