How to Kill Fleas Most Effectively

Flea Infestations can adversely affect the health of pets.

Fleas are a nuisance and a potential health hazard. Once fleas are discovered, a pet owner must act quickly to prevent an infestation. In an infested home, fleas, larvae, eggs and pupae, the cocoon stage between larva and adult, can be found anywhere a pet frequents, including around furniture, in carpeting, floor crevices, bedding, and upholstery. Fleas, in all stages of development, also live in shady areas outdoors. Fleas procreate rapidly. Just one female flea, after feeding on a host, can produce up to 30 eggs per day.



Eradicating fleas in a home involves a several-step approach. It's necessary to treat the pet as well as its environment. Even if adult fleas are killed, if the flea eggs, pupae and larvae are given the opportunity to reach adulthood, the infestation will recur.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum, disposable vacuum bag
• Washing machine
• Steam carpet cleaner
• Topical flea treatment
• Household flea treatments

Instructions

1. 

   Keeping a pet healthy is the first step in preventing a flea infestation.

   Fleas prey on physically weakened hosts with compromised immune systems, so an important way to prevent an infestation of fleas, is by ensuring a pet's good health. Feeding a pet a premium healthy diet, making sure it has access to plenty of fresh water and ensuring that it's well exercised, can help prevent flea infestation by contributing to the health of a pet. A study conducted by the Society for the Study of Evolution concluded that a healthy host with a strong immune system had stronger resistance to the toxicity of parasites, such as the flea. Parasite mortality rate is also higher among hosts with stronger resistance.

2. Gauge the flea infestation level by using a flea comb. A flea comb is a metal comb with two rows of narrowly placed teeth which catch fleas when run through a pet's fur. A flea comb is not the most effective way to treat an infestation but is a good way to monitor the level of infestation by the volume of fleas caught. Dip the flea comb in soapy water or alcohol to kill the trapped fleas.

3. Use a light trap as another way to monitor the level of infestation. A light trap can be constructed by filling a shallow bowl with soapy water and shining a light, such as a goose-necked desk lamp, on the water. Fleas, attracted to the lit surface of the water, jump in and drown. The light trap will most likely catch only a fraction of fleas in the surrounding area, but in doing so, will provide a suitable gauge by which to determine the severity of infestation.

4. Vacuum thoroughly, as often as once per day, depending on the level of infestation. Vacuuming removes up to 90 percent of eggs and 50 percent of larvae from carpets. A study conducted by the University of California showed that vacuuming removes 96 percent of adult fleas, and stimulates pupae to emerge from their cocoons. Vacuum carpets, flooring, drapes, upholstery, crevices, areas under furniture, and along floor boards. When finished, remove the vacuum bag, place it in a sealed plastic bag and discard it outside.

   Continue indoor treatments for two or three weeks, at which time the infestation should be re-gauged, to ensure that all life-cycles of the fleas have been eradicated.

5. Steam clean carpets if it is determined that the flea infestation is severe. Steam cleaning is an effective way to kill larvae that cling to carpet fibers and are left behind after vacuuming (Reference 5).

6. Spray a solution containing pyrethrins, derived from the flowers of chrysanthemums, or linalool, a citrus peel extract, both of which are effective contact insecticides, killing the remaining adult fleas not caught by vacuuming.

7. Wash all linens, bedding, rugs and flooring with hot soapy water, once per week, concentrating on areas where the pet frequents. Neither fleas nor larvae can survive hot soapy water.

8. Bathe your pet, focusing first on the head and neck area to catch the fleas that scatter toward the face once water is applied. A mild pet-formulated shampoo will kill the fleas. Lather well, making sure to thoroughly soak the pet's coat and skin. The lather should remain on the pet for up to 15 minutes before rinsing.

9. Apply a topical spot-on solution if it is determined that there is a severe infestation, especially if the pet shows signs of severe discomfort from the fleas. Spot-on treatments use powerful chemicals and should be used with caution, and the labels should be read and followed carefully.

   Fipronil, the main ingredient in Frontline, and Imidacloprid, the main ingredient in Advantage, are both applied by parting the pet's fur between the shoulder blades and applying a pre-dosed amount. The chemicals spread through the pet's skin oils, and in a short amount of time, cover the entire body. Fipronil contains compounds that block the passage of chlorine through cells in the flea's nervous system, causing paralysis. Because Fipronil only kills adult fleas and doesn't prevent larvae or pupae from developing, the ingredient, methaprene, an insect growth regulator -- or IGR -- is often used in conjunction with Fipronil, to prevent the development of larvae and pupae. Imidacloprid is an effective insecticide because it blocks the nerve receptors of fleas.

10. Treat the pet's outdoor environment. Predatory nematodes, a kind of worm that preys on adult fleas and larvae can be purchased for outdoor flea control. Nematodes must be kept moist, so frequent watering is required if rain is not sufficient.

    The Texas Agricultural Extension Service indicates that fleas in all life stages cannot tolerate humidity below 50 percent or temperatures above 95 degrees and will drown if there is a good soaking after a rain.

    If it is determined that spraying is necessary, target shady areas, because larvae cannot tolerate bright sunlight.

Tips & Warnings

• Fipronil has been classified as a carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency because exposure to the chemical caused benign and malignant thyroid tumors in laboratory animals.

• Symptoms of exposure to Imidacloprid include apathy, labored breathing, coordination difficulties, inability to gain weight, convulsions and thyroid lesions, according to the Journal of Pesticide Reform, Insecticide Fact Sheet.

References

• Texas Agricultural Extension Service The Texas A&M University System: Controlling Fleas
• Evolution: Host Life History and the Evolution of Parasite Virulence
• GALE Cengage Learning: Pet Peeves How to Keep Your Critter Healthy & Flea Free, Naturally
• Annual Reviews: Annual Review of Entomology: The Biology, Ecology, And Management of the Cat Flea:
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Fleas: What They Are, What to Do
• eartheasy: Solutions for Sustainable Living: Natural Flea Control

Resources

• The Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet: Fleas
• Oregon State University: Fleas, Mange and Scabies: Flea and Flea Control
• ingentaconnect: Distribution and Control of Cat Fleas in Homes in Southern California
• The Journal of Pesticide Reform: Insectide Fact Sheet: Fipronil
• Journal of Pesticde Reform: Insecticide Fact Sheet: Imidacloprid
• EPA: National Service Center for Environmental Publications: Fipronil for Use on Rice (Regen, Icon) and Pets (Frontline) HED Risk Assessment