Pets love spending time outside, but so do pests like fleas. Fleas hang out in yards and hop onto pets as they walk near them. Once they find a host, they’ll stay on them and feed on their blood. Taking a few preventative measures can help keep your furry family members safe from these pests. Check out a few tips to keep fleas from bugging you and your pets.
Check Pets for Fleas
After spending time outside, you’ll want to check your pets for fleas. Though these pests are small, you should be able to spot them moving through your pet’s fur. They like to hang out near your pet’s neck, shoulders, tail, and legs. Using a flea comb can help you to check their fur. Comb through their hair looking for fleas or flea dirt, which will look like small black specks. It’s also a good idea to examine pets after they have spent time near other animals. Fleas can hop from one host to another.
Bathe Pets Regularly
Giving your pets a good scrub can help to prevent fleas. Clean fur will make it easier to spot these pests. If any fleas are on your pet, giving them a bath will help to knock them off. Talk to your veterinarian for dog or cat-friendly shampoo suggestions, and make sure to read and follow the label directions carefully. Start scrubbing at the top of your pet’s head and work your way down to their tail. Your pet’s breed will determine how often you should give them a bath. Discussing this with your veterinarian will ensure you don’t under or over bathe your pet, keeping their fur and skin healthy.
Vacuum
Vacuuming can help to keep your home free of fleas. Start with your carpet and rugs since fleas hide in these spots. You’ll also want to vacuum upholstered furniture and along baseboards. It’s important that you thoroughly vacuum your space to ensure you don’t miss any fleas. Vacuuming can also help to remove flea eggs, which will help to deter future infestations. Make sure to empty the contents of the vacuum into a sealed bag and place it in an outdoor trash can. You’ll want to clean your vacuum tank with hot water and soap when you are finished.
Wash Bedding
Another great way to prevent and get rid of fleas is to wash your pet’s bedding often. Ideally, you should wash their bedding every 1 to 2 weeks. This will help to remove fleas and their eggs. It’s also a good idea to wash any plush toys too. If your pets like to sleep in your bed, you’ll want to wash your bedding as well. Though fleas prefer to stay on their host, they can fall off and be left behind in your bed. If you’re dealing with fleas, wash the items in hot water and use a high heat setting when drying them to kill fleas.
Keep Your Yard Clean
Fleas hide in tall grass and overgrown vegetation. Keeping your shrubs trimmed and your grass short will reduce potential hiding spots. It’s also important to remove yard debris like leaves, weeds, and grass clippings. Fleas prefer damp environments, so eliminate moisture build-up in your yard, and avoid overwatering your plants and your lawn. Fleas like to hang out in shaded areas, so trimming branches and taking steps to allow more sunlight into your yard can help to deter them. Consider adding a fence or barrier to help keep wildlife that could be a host for fleas out of your outdoor space.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
Your veterinarian can help you come up with a treatment plan to protect your pet from fleas. They will be able to provide you with suggestions on medications, treatments, and flea collars that would be best for your furry family member. It’s important to remember that fleas can be a problem year-round. If your pet is showing any signs of fleas, including abnormal scratching or hair loss, set up an appointment with your veterinarian. Together, you can come up with the best plan of action to help keep your pet healthy.
Create a Protective Barrier
Pest control products can also be used to prevent flea problems. Spraying your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray can help to protect your pets from fleas. Our Yard Bug Spray kills fleas and provides residual repellency protection. The repellent properties in the spray will act as a barrier, helping to keep fleas and other pests away. It’s formulated with plant essential oils, making it a more family-friendly option when used as directed. Spray your lawn and areas with heavy vegetation to help control fleas. You can also spray the lower portions of your home’s foundation and the ground along the perimeter of your house to repel fleas from entering your home.
Protecting your pets from fleas requires taking action in your yard, your home, and with your pets. If fleas are bugging your pets, we’re here to help! Check out our Bed Bug & Flea Killer spray. It will help to kill and repel fleas. Spray your pet’s bedding and areas where your furry family members like to hang out, but don’t spray your pets directly.