How do I get rid of fleas for good?
I'm mortified to be here asking this but I'm desperate at this point: I have fleas in my house and I dont' know how to get rid of them. They seem to really like my dog (mostly indoor dog but we use flea and tick meds) and the couch. I wouldn't say it's an infestation just yet, but it's been like this for months and nothing I do is keeping them away! What should I do/what am I doing wrong?
I assume you've done this already but if not, start with a DEEP clean, and of your entire house - not just the couch or anywhere the dog goes (but ESPECIALLY those places). Get a strong vacuum and get in ALLLLL the nooks and crannies to pick up any eggs/larva that might be hiding there. Then wash EVERYTHING--the carpets, the upholstry, the couch covers, all your blankets, even things you think the fleas aren't in--with HOT water and soap. Steam your carpets. Dry your laundry on high heat. Get those buggers out of there. If you're using a flea treatment for your dog you shouldn't really need to resort to insecticide, but it's an option if things are severe enough. But if they're coming in the house on your dog you may need to chase them out of your yard. You can usually do this just by mowing regularly (and makking sure to hit shady hidden spots) and scatter cedar chips in any shady spots where your dog likes to hang out because fleas hate the smell.
I highly recommend taking your pet to the vet if you suspect fleas in the home. That's always the first step. The next step is to wash all of the pet's bedding and make sure you're using high heat for at least an hour on a dry cycle to get rid of any eggs or larva that might still be in there. Vacuum your home frequently, as well.
Make sure you're using the right flea medication for your dog's breed and size first to kill all live fleas and eggs. Then, use a flea comb to remove the fleas and eggs from their fur. If you don't do the treatment first, the flea just jumps off the comb and lands somewhere else, so combing alone won't be effective.
Are you sure the fleas are coming for your dog? We had a flea problem a few years back (we don't even have a pet!) and I eventually realized they were coming in on mice :C Make sure you don't have any issues with rodest/other animals that might bring fleas in.
Even if you miss a few eggs or larva here or there when you clean the fleas won't survive if they don't have anything to feed off of. They'll enter their cocoon stage but they won't come out if there's no host for them to feed from like your dog, so if your house is spick and span and your dog has been thoroughly flea treated, any leftover fleas won't have much hope of survival
I have the same problem
What do other wikiHow readers have to say?
Other wikiHow readers have submitted their own tips on topics similar to this one.
Reader Tips from How to Eliminate a Flea Infestation in Your Home
I try to keep things as safe for me and my dogs as possible. Instead of the chemicals and toxins suggested in this article, just apply diatomaceous earth to your carpeting and your dogs fur (it's food grade and safe enough to eat) and the fleas will be dead within hours.
Do all this to get rid of the infestation, but in the meantime you can also apply citrus oil from orange or lemon peels to your face and neck to avoid flea bites on your face and neck.
Reader Tips from 14 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas
Cedar chips are a great repellent. Sprinkle them all around your yard once a month to help prevent fleas.
Dawn Dish Soap kills fleas on contact, and it's safe to wash your pets with.
Reader Tips from How to Eliminate Fleas from Your Home for Free
The number one thing you can do is treat your pets with flea medication or with an anti-flea collar. If you just try to kill the fleas as you see them you'll never get them all. They'll just keep laying eggs and the babies will keep just jumping on whatever furry animal there is around, unless the animal has been treated.
I comb fleas off my pets with a wide-tooth comb and dish soap. My dog actually really loves it and seems to find it soothing lol.