How to Prevent Fleas in Your Home (with Pets!)

If you have a pet, there’s a good chance you’ve had to deal with fleas at some point. These pesky creatures can be difficult to get rid of, and they can make your pet’s life (and yours) miserable. Thankfully, we’re going to discuss how to prevent fleas in your home. We’ll go over some tips that will help keep these pests away from your furry friends and your family!

What are Fleas?

Starting with the basics, let’s cover what fleas are. Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. They’re dark brown or reddish-brown and have a hard, flat body. Unfortunately, they’re also very good jumpers! An adult flea can jump up to eight inches high, which is 150 times its own body length – imagine being able to jump 150 times your own body length.

Fleas are more than just a nuisance – they can also transmit diseases to both animals and humans. For example, the cat flea can transmit typhus to humans. In addition, fleas can cause anemia in animals, particularly young animals or animals with weak immune systems, by sucking so much blood.

Use Flea Preventative Products

Firstly, you’ll want to make sure you’re using flea preventative products on your pet. These can be in the form of oral medication, topical solutions, or even collars. Talk to your veterinarian about which option is best for your pet, and make sure you’re using it correctly.

With a flea prevention collar, for example, you’ll want to make sure it’s not too tight and that your pet can’t reach it to chew on it. Topical solutions should be applied to the back of the neck where your pet can’t reach to lick it off. Oral medication should be given at the correct dosage and not skipped. If you combine these methods, you’re much more likely to succeed in keeping fleas away from your home.

Perform Frequent Checks

Of course, even with the best prevention methods, your pet may still end up with fleas. That’s why it’s important to check them regularly, especially if they go outside often. Look for flea dirt (dark specks that look like pepper) on their fur and for actual fleas. If you see any, take action immediately to remove them.

There are a few different ways to do this, but the most important thing is to be thorough. You don’t want to leave any fleas behind, or they’ll just come back. With regular checks, you can deal with the issue before it takes hold (and potentially affects other pets too!).

Tidy Your Home

Next, take a look at your own home. Fleas can live in carpeting, bedding, and even cracks in floors. Anywhere there’s a warm, humid environment is perfect for them. To get rid of fleas in your home:

Vacuum regularly, paying special attention to areas where your pet spends time
Wash all bedding, including your pet’s, in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit)
Consider using a flea bomb or fogger to reach hidden areas

These steps will help to ensure that your home is unattractive to fleas, and will help to get rid of any that might be hiding.

Keep Your Pet Healthy

What does this mean? An unhealthy pet is more likely to attract fleas and is more likely to have trouble fighting them off. Make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccines and routine check-ups, including heartworm and flea/tick prevention.

If you think your pet may have fleas, take them to the vet right away. Your vet can prescribe a treatment that is safe and effective for your pet and will help to get rid of the fleas quickly.