How to Prepare for a Professional Flea Bombing

You will need to apply a flea treatment to your yard as well.

Flea infestation is a difficult ordeal to deal with, especially if you lead a very busy life. If you lack the time, then it would be best to enlist the help of a professional. Professional exterminators will apply flea bombs in your home and they often times come with a guarantee. But it is important to know what steps to take to prepare your home for professional flea fumigation to ensure that the problem is eliminated.

Things You'll Need

• Pet flea shampoo
• Food-grade DE
• Flea collar
• Vacuum
• Vacuum bags
• Washing machine
• Dryer
• Surface covers

Instructions

1. Treat your pet before you do anything else. The flea professional will handle the fleas that have infested your home. However, they do not treat the problem itself; which is usually the fleas on your pet. Begin a regime to eliminate fleas from your pet. Use a flea shampoo or rub food grade DE (diatomaceous earth) onto your pet's coat. Ensure that your pet always wears a flea collar.

2. Prep your home. Vacuum all your carpeted areas, including rugs. Place a flea collar in your vacuum bag, it will ensure that all fleas sucked up are instantly killed. Throw away the vacuum bag immediately in an outside trash can.

3. Wash any machine washable material in hot water: pet bedding, curtains, rugs, and clothing. If possible dry them on high heat.

4. Cover all areas used for food preparation and storage. Store your pet's food and water dishes. The flea fumigation releases toxic fumes that may linger on these surfaces. It is best to protect these surfaces from retaining chemical residue.

5. Turn off all heating and light pilots. Flea bombs are highly toxic and could be flammable.

6. Remove all pets from the home the day of the application. That includes reptiles and birds. Flea fumigation is highly toxic and it can be fatal for your pets. If you have a fish tank, you may leave it. However, make sure that you turn off the air pumps and seal the tank and cover it with a damp towel.

7. Make arrangements for you, your family, and your pets. You must leave the house for a certain period of time, ranging from eight hours to one day, depending on the infestation and the size of your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Always follow the directions of the professional that you have hired, they may have additional preparation instructions.

• Clean the floors of your home after the treatment is complete, there will be a layer of pesticides and chemicals. It is best to clean these surfaces to protect your pets and family.

References

• Orkin Pest Control Services; Flea Bombs
• Beyond Fleas; Flea Bombs