How to Find and Exterminate Fleas

Flea Feeding

Although fleas are usually only 1/16 inch long, they can cause huge problems. Most people with pets know the horrors of having fleas try to move into your home. Even if you try to keep your animals indoors at all times, there is still the chance that they could be infested with fleas. Knowing a few basic steps and tell-tale signs of flea infestations can help identify the infestations before they become a problem. Once you identify the infestation, it's time to get rid of them.

Things You'll Need

• Flea collar
• Flea shampoo
• Insecticide spread
• Flea spray (or bug bombs)
• Vaccuum cleaner (with extra bags or flea collar in bag)
• Flea comb
• Towel and/or white socks

Instructions

1. Examine your pet for any fleas. Fleas are not difficult to find if they are on your pet. Be sure to check on the animal's underbelly, around the neck, and around the base of the tail. Fleas will often stay in these areas as they are harder for an animal to scratch. If you do not see any fleas, but want to make sure, you can use a flea comb. Run the flea comb through the animal's hair. This will get deeper into their fur and give you a more definitive answer as to whether or not your pet has fleas.

2. Bathe your pet. This may be a hassle for cat owners, but it is the best way to ensure you get rid of all of the fleas. Make sure you get the right kind of shampoo. Some dog shampoos are unsafe to use on cats. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the shampoo. Use lukewarm to warm water to bathe the animal. The shampoo and warm water will kill many of the fleas and wash off the food source of the unhatched eggs. Repeat this process a few times a week until the fleas are dead. If there are still fleas on your animal after a few baths, dip a flea comb into alcohol, and rub it through the animal's fur.

3. Put a flea collar on your pet after you have killed all of the fleas. Make sure you get the right type of flea collar. Dog flea collars are not safe for cats, and cat flea collars are often unsafe for kittens.

4. Inspect your house for fleas. If you find one flea, there is a good chance that an infestation is coming. Checking for flea feces is one method you could use to check. Rub a wet towel over your floor. If you see red specks on the towel (flea feces) then you can expect an infestation. If you find no red specks, but still believe you may have fleas, try walking around the house with a pair of white socks on. If the fleas sense you near and jump on you, you will be able to see them on the white socks.

5. Vacuum your floors. Either replace the vacuum bag after every use, or place a flea collar in the bag to kill the fleas you vacuum up. This will get rid of most of the fleas, eggs, larvae, and flea feces. You will need to vacuum a few more times over the next few days to ensure you get all of the fleas and new hatchlings.

6. Set out bug bombs in your house to kill the fleas. This is best to do when you aren't going to be home for a while. If this is not possible, you can go from room to room with the bombs. You can even spray specific rooms with flea killing spray. The more thorough you are on this step, the better chance you have of the fleas not returning.

7. Drive out and kill any fleas that are in your yard. If your pet has fleas, then there is a good chance that there are fleas in your yard. Use an insecticide spread all around your yard. Make sure to do this several times to drive out and kill any fleas that may remain in your yard.

Tips & Warnings

• Trimming your cat's claws might be helpful in avoiding scratches while bathing the cat.

• Do not use products on one animal that are intended for another (dogs, cats, kittens, puppies).