How to Get Rid of Fleas

By eHow Pets Editor

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Fleas can transmit disease and cause tapeworm, so getting rid of fleas on your pet is a must for a healthy animal and a healthy home. Fleas prefer warm and humid conditions and is therefore more than a seasonal problem in some parts of the country. Follow these steps to help your pet and learn how to get rid of fleas.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Washing machine
Flea/tick pet shampoo
Hot, soapy water
Flea/tick spray or powder
Prescription flea-control medication
Pet flea comb
Vacuum
Veterinarian

Step 1

The best way to get rid of fleas is by prevention; fleas thrive in heat and humidity (and are most active in summer and fall), so assess your pet and his environment frequently.
Step 2

Help prevent fleas indoors by vacuuming your home thoroughly and frequently, paying close attention to corners, cracks, crevices and basements. Dispose of vacuum cleaner bags conscientiously, as adult fleas can escape. Also, choose your pet's friends wisely; avoid animals you suspect may carry fleas. Dog parks are fun, but a move-able feast for fleas!
Step 3

Remove any fleas from your pet using a fine-toothed pet comb designed for flea removal, and drop the fleas into soapy water to drown them.
Step 4

Wash pet bedding in hot, soapy water weekly; this is the most likely site for flea eggs and larvae.
Step 5

Prune foliage and keep grass trimmed short to increase sunlight, as flea larvae cannot survive in hot, dry areas. Remove any piles of yard debris close to your home.
Step 6

Bathe pets weekly, if possible, to get rid of fleas. If bathing is not an option, speak to your veterinarian about appropriate alternatives.
Step 7

Watch your pet for signs of flea trouble: excessive scratching and biting, especially around the tail and lower back, and possibly raw patches where the animal has been biting and scratching himself. Also watch for 'flea debris' (black, granular dried blood) and fleas themselves on your pet's skin.
Step 8

Talk to your veterinarian about various treatments for your flea-plagued pet: a flea adulticide applied monthly to the skin; a monthly pill that prevents fleas from reproducing but doesn't kill adult fleas; and multipurpose products that prevent flea reproduction and control heartworms, hookworms, whipworms and roundworms. Also consider flea collars and flea powders.
Step 9

Look into chemical flea-treatment products to apply by hand around the environment in spray or powder form. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on the best product and how to use it.

Comments

davidmc said

Flag This Comment

on 7/4/2009 Be careful with tea tree oil on cats, it can be very toxic to them.

mizzbutyfull said

on 6/19/2009 FOR KITTENS/PUPPIES UNDER 6WEEKS &
FOR IMMEDIATLY ELIMANATING FLEAS ON ANY ANIMAL:
Bathe in a dish soap and water bath for 5 minutes
*the soap almost instantly kills fleas and the water drowns the ones that jump off
*I work in a shelter and this has saved me!

hollyhood314 said

on 6/18/2009 THIS ARTICLE GET 5 STRAS FOR ITS MUTIPLE WAYS TO NOT ONLY TREAT BUT PREVENT FLEA INFESTATION ON YOUR PETS AND IN YOUR HOME 5 STAR ARTICLE. ALSO 5 STAR COMMENTS I THOUGHT THE TEA TREE OIL TIP WAS A VERY NON-TOXIC AWESOME WAY TO TREAT FLEAS ALSO I LOVE THE FACT THAT REDROBYN IS PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO HOW FLEA MEDICATION IS REACTING TO HER DOG'S SKIN. JUST LIEK PEOPLE, SOME MEDICATIONS WHETHER THEY ARE TOPICAL OR INGESTED DON'T WORK FOR 'EVERYONE' WHO USES THEM. PETS CAN HAVE BAD REACTIONS TO CHEMICAL FLEA TREAMENTS JUST AS A PERSON COULD HAVE WE BOTH HAVE SKIN RIGHT? LOL SO DEFINATELY DON'T CONTINUE TO ADMINSTER SOMETHING THAT WORSENS THE SITUATION!