How to Easily Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home & on Your Pet

Fleas are a hassle for pets and humans alike.

Once fleas invade a house, they become a source of annoyance for people and pets alike. Dogs and cats pick up fleas when they go outside, and then bring them in to breed, build colonies and suck blood. To get rid of a flea infestation without disrupting your life with fumigation, treat your pet and house on your own.

Things You'll Need

• Flea shampoo
• Water
• Towel
• Flea powder
• Vacuum
• Flea medicine

Instructions

1. Treat the pet for fleas first; lack of victims will discourage any flea population. Bathe the dog or cat with anti-flea shampoo (available at pet stores) and warm water to kill as many fleas as you can, off the bat. Rinse your pet and repeat with another anti-flea wash. Towel the pet dry.

2. Isolate the pet in the kitchen or bathroom, where there is no flea-containing carpet, and allow it to fully dry. While the pet is drying, sprinkle your carpet and furniture with flea powder (available at pet stores). Follow the directions and allow the treatment to sit for the prescribed length of time.

3. Use a flea medication on your pet once he's fully dry, to prevent future infestations. Buy medications that is appropriate for your pet's age and weight (available at pet stores). Uncap the medication and squirt it on the skin between the pet's shoulder blades. The medicine will spread over the pet's skin and kill fleas.

4. Vacuum your carpet and furniture to clean the flea powder you spread.

5. Repeat these treatments once a month until the flea problem is eradicated.

Tips & Warnings

• Set your vacuum outside after you vacuum, so that any fleas who "escape" do so outside rather than in the house.

• Refresh flea medicine on your pet after a bath.

• Flea medicine is toxic; always wash your hands after treating a pet.

References

• Doctors Foster and Smith: Flea and Tick Protection Options for You