In most cases, people don’t realize they have fleas in their house until they see a pet scratching. If you don’t have pets, then fleas are less likely, but they can still appear. The problem is, without pets for them to bite, the fleas are likely to bite you.
Fleas can jump very high for their size. However, they still can’t get above knee height. That’s why you’re most likely to find flea bites below the knee unless they are on your couch or in your bed. The bites are extremely itchy and leave red marks on your skin. Flea bites are annoying, but they can also be dangerous. Fleas are known to carry diseases.
Because of this and the fact they multiply quickly if you discover a flea infestation at home, the best option is to call the local pest expert. You can also do the following to help prevent fleas from setting up in your home.
Treat Pets Often
In general, fleas arrive in your home on the back of animals. They collect the fleas when they run through long grass or by being in contact with other animals that have fleas. The simplest way to prevent fleas from getting into your house is to regularly update your pet’s flea treatment.
Find a product that you know is effective at killing the fleas, and make sure your pet has it regularly. By keeping them protected, you are unlikely to have fleas arriving in your home.
As part of treating your pets, you should make sure they are brushed regularly, and they are bathed at least once a week. This helps to keep the fleas off them and out of your home.
Do this an additional time if you spot your pet with a wild animal. That increases the risk of fleas.
Vacuum Daily
Fleas have a comparatively short life cycle, and this is why they lay eggs quickly. Their preferred spot is carpet and soft furnishings, as the strands of the material give them plenty of hiding spots. But you don’t need to see them eliminate them and their eggs. All you need is a powerful vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the carpet daily to remove any fleas and eggs.
It pays to vacuum hard floors as well as fleas can live in the gaps between boards.
When you’ve finished vacuuming, either dispose of the bag directly into your bin or empty the reusable bag outside into a bin. This eliminates accidentally dropping fleas on the floor and reinfecting the house.
Clean Your Bedding
Alongside vacuuming, you need to wash your bedding and the soft furnishings regularly. It should be done straight away if you discover a flea problem. As a precaution, it’s best to wash your bedding once a week.
Keep Your Grass Short
It’s not just inside that matters. Fleas, ticks, and other unwanted bugs are happy to live in your yard. But, they prefer you to have long grass as this makes it easier for them to hide. To help prevent an issue, set your lawnmower to the lowest possible setting and cut your grass. It will eliminate the hiding places and force the fleas to move on.
Attract Ladybugs
Ladybugs are pretty and harmless to humans and pets. They are also very good at eating fleas and other undesirable insects. All you need to do is attract the ladybugs to your yard. The good news is that it’s easy to attract them to your home.
All you need to do is plant some fennel, dill, and perhaps some coriander. Ladybugs love these plants and will start arriving, helping you keep the fleas away from your home.
