There is no way around it: managing fleas is an unavoidable element of pet ownership, no matter what kind or how many pets you have in your home.
Despite the fact that fleas are more frequent in warmer, drier regions and that their number in your house and yard tends to be at its maximum during the drier summer months, it is possible for fleas to become out of control at any time of year, regardless of where you live.
But, how can you know when it’s time to treat your home for fleas in the first place?
Because fleas and ticks are most active during the spring and summer months, Ryan Smith of Ant and Garden Organic Pest Control in Beaverton, Oregon, suggests performing a home flea treatment in the early spring or summer months.
“However, no matter what time of year it is, a home flea treatment is required and should be carried out as soon as signs of infection on your pets are noticed.”
When selecting at-home flea treatments, there are a variety of elements to take into consideration.
Is it necessary to treat inside your home, outside in your yard, or both? Is it better to use a powder, a spray, a fogger, or a trap for your trap?
Ensure that the product you purchase is safe for your dogs, your children, and any surfaces on which food is stored or served before purchasing it.
Each treatment has its own application method, warnings, and active substances that are effective.
Hopefully, this list will assist you in selecting one or two that will be a good fit for your own personal requirements.
Some of the most effective home flea treatments available today are listed below.
#1. Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray for Pets + Home
- Application Type: Spray
- Active Ingredients: Cedar, lemongrass, sesame oils
- How Long it Lasts: Unclear, but kills on contact
What We do Like
- Natural ingredients
- One spray for cats, dogs, and home
- Gentle enough for puppies, kittens and senior pets
What We Dislike
- Avoid their peppermint-scented spray
Wondericide Flea and Tick Spray is safe to apply directly to dogs and cats, as well as in their immediate environment.
Its main component, cedar oil, is naturally repellent to a wide variety of insect pests.
Other main ingredients include lemongrass, which is naturally repellent to insects, including fleas and ticks; and sesame oil, which contains natural acids that act as alarm pheromones, sending invading fleas and ticks an instinctual message that they should go elsewhere to avoid a dangerous situation.
The spray can be applied every two or three days as needed.
Wondericide has many appealing features. It is animal-safe, biodegradable, and made in the U.S.
We recommend the lemongrass, cedarwood, or rosemary blends for a pleasant fragrance that does not bother pets or customers. The peppermint option should be avoided for the same reason; peppermint essential oil is toxic to dogs and cats.
#2. Adams Flea & Tick Carpet Powder
- Application Type: Powder
- Active Ingredients: Linalool, Nylar, pyrethrin insecticides, piperonyl butoxide
- How Long it Lasts: One year
What We do Like
- Long-lasting
- Stops all parts of flea life cycle
What We Dislike
- Synthetic insecticides
Adams Flea & Tick Carpet Powder with Linalool and Nylar is an affordable, botanical carpet powder that kills flea eggs, larvae, and ticks on carpets, rugs, and furniture. It has a citrus fragrance; one container can treat up to 400 square feet.
Do not replace or reuse it for a year. Because it kills on contact, apply it to the area and let it settle at least 24 hours before vacuuming.
The Insect Growth Regulator nylar prevents re-infestation by breaking the flea life cycle in your home. The manufacturer recommends following application instructions carefully to avoid inhalation exposure.
#3. Bayer Advantage Household Fogger – Flea Killer
- Application Type: Fogger
- Active Ingredients: Pyrethrin insecticides, piperonyl butoxide
- How Long it Lasts: Up to seven months
What We do Like
- It works when other treatments have failed
What We Dislike
- Can be dangerous for cats if not used according to instructions
- It’s a synthetic insecticide
If fleas have made your home their home, you can take on them down with Advantage Household Fogger, a three-pack of foggers from a well-known brand that kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, and ticks, as well as cockroaches, lice, mites, and ants.
Each fogger treats an 8-foot-ceiling room measuring up to 16 by 16 feet or 2,000 cubic feet of unobstructed space. You will need to remove food and dishes from the treatment area as well as clean counters and eating surfaces with soap after treatment.
They also recommend using this in combination with yard and pet treatments to prevent re-invasion from outside areas.
#4. Best Affordable: PetArmor Home and Carpet Spray for Fleas and Ticks
- Application Type: Spray
- Active Ingredients: D-phenothrin (pyrethroid) insecticide, N-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide (insecticide enhancer)
- How Long it Lasts: About seven months
What We do Like
- Works well for a long time
What We Dislike
- Pyrethroid insecticide
- Can irritate skin
PetArmor Home Brand Home and Carpet Spray can reach the fleas and ticks hidden in your carpets, rugs, upholstery, and pet bedding.
This product kills fleas, flea eggs and larvae, ticks, bed bugs, lice, and dust mites. It works for seven months because it inhibits growth into the adult phase.
This spray doesn’t leave an odour or powdery mess. You’ll need to spray and let the product dry for two hours for safe application.
#5. Enoz Trap & Kill Flea Trap – Best Trap
- Application Type: Sticky trap
- Active Ingredients: Glue
- How Long it Lasts: Each pad up to three months
What We do Like
- Reusable with sticky pad refills
- No chemicals, smells, or oils
What We Dislike
- Does not address eggs and larvae
- Mostly used alone, takes longer to stop the life-cycle
The Enoz Trap-N-Kill Flea Trap uses infrared heat and light from a bulb to attract fleas. The fleas jump toward the light and fall through a screen onto a sticky pad. A single pad attracts fleas from up to 25-feet away and is good for up to three months or until filled.
Refills are sold in an affordable three-pack. Because it’s made without pesticides, it’s safe for use around children, pets, and food.
#6. Best for Outdoors Pests: TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Yard Spray
- Application Type: Spray with hose
- Active Ingredients: Clove, lemongrass, cedarwood, and cinnamon essential oils
- How Long it Lasts: Not specified, customers say 3-4 weeks
What We do Like
- No synthetic pesticides
- Connects to hose for easy application
What We Dislike
- Can cause eye and skin irritation on prolonged contact
- Some ingredients are not pet-safe
When eliminating fleas inside your home, you may overlook your yard as a source of reinfestation. However, any work you do in your home to remove fleas could be foiled in a short time by new tiny invaders.
Tropiclean Natural Flea and Tick Yard Spray are made of a cocktail of essential oils that naturally kill and repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, spiders, ants and many other insects. It has a pleasant citrus aroma that effectively covers up to 5,000 square feet of lawn.
Application is easy because you can attach a hose directly to the bottle for spray distribution.
Although cats will likely avoid areas treated with this product due to the presence of cinnamon oil, dogs should be kept off the lawn until the spray has dried completely.
#7. NaturVet Herbal Flea Powder for Pets
- Application Type: Powder
- Active Ingredients: Thyme oil, lemongrass oil, and rosemary
What We do Like
- Simple, natural ingredients
What We Dislike
- Powders can trigger asthma
NaturVet Herbal Flea Powder is a fragrance-free, simple herbal powder. Formulated by a veterinarian, the ingredients are safe enough to use on pets’ bedding and on weaned kittens and puppies over the age of six weeks.
A money-back guarantee should dispel any worries that such simple ingredients won’t be strong enough. As with all powders, follow the manufacturer’s instructions including applying in ventilated areas. If you like the powder, you can also try the brand’s spray for added protection.
Final Conclusion
It is safe enough to apply directly to your pet, but strong enough that you can use it throughout your home when needed.
Fleas and How to Kill Them Naturally
Fleas are a nuisance in the home and can cause many health problems. They are small insects that jump onto your pet and then bite you. There is no need to use harmful chemicals or pesticides in order to get rid of them.
The most effective way of getting rid of fleas is by using natural remedies like lemon juice, vinegar, water, dishwashing soap and salt.
You should also vacuum regularly and wash your pet often to prevent them from getting back in your home.
Fleas need a blood meal every two weeks or so in order for them to survive. The best way of killing them is by using diatomaceous earth which can be found easily at grocery stores.
Natural Treatment Remedies for Flea Problems
Natural treatment remedies for fleas are the best way to eliminate the problem from your home quickly and safely. Here are some of these natural remedies:
- Lavender oil: spray this on your carpets, furniture, and bedding to repel fleas.
- Baking soda: Sprinkle this on carpets and furniture to kill fleas.
- Vinegar: pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz it over your carpets, furniture, bedding, and pets.
Products That Work Best on Dogs Fleas
Dogs are a part of the family, and they deserve the best care. There is no need to worry about what products to use on them as there are many options available.
Some products that work best on dogs include flea treatments, medication for ear mites, and deworming pills.
Flea treatments: Fleas can cause intense itching and scratching in your dog which can lead to anemia or skin infections. Some top-rated flea treatments include Advantage for Dogs and Comfortis for Dogs.
Comfortis for Dogs: Comfortis is a chewable pill that kills fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs in your dog’s coat or bite him again. It also works against ticks, mosquitoes, lice, and other pests that may be bothering your pet.
What To Consider When Shopping For Flea Treatments For Your Home:
Ingredients
“Permethrin and fipronil are active components in the majority of insecticides, and both are effective at killing adult fleas. “Other active compounds, such as methoprene and pyriproxyfen, are known to hinder the development of eggs,” Dr. Smith notes.
If you’re going to use chemicals, stay away from items containing imidacloprid and dinotefuran because they can be extremely harmful to youngsters. He recommends using safer options such as diatomaceous earth, herbal or organic flea treatments, lemon spray, and salt, rather than using pesticides (coupled with vacuuming).
Home and bedding sprays containing essential oils known to be hazardous to dogs and cats should be avoided.
These include peppermint, cinnamon, tea tree, pine, and wintergreen oils, among others.
Method of Implementation
The majority of businesses provide a number of solutions to meet the needs of their customers, including sprays, powders, foggers, and traps.
They advocate a comprehensive approach that includes treating your dogs, your home, and your yard all at the same time in order to achieve the most successful therapy.
Generally, it is best to begin treating the region where the fleas were discovered first. Then extend your reach outward. It might be anything from pet bedding to your sofa.
Safety
When using an aerosol or powder application, keep dogs and children away from the area and follow all instructions to avoid breathing the product, especially if the product contains synthetic pesticides, according to the manufacturer.
Look for any cautions concerning skin contact as well. When applying, use latex gloves and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after each application.
Keep an eye out for any reference of items that should not be treated, such as eating surfaces, as well as items that should be removed from the area before treatment, such as food, dishes, and items that are difficult to clean, in the instructions.
A number of household sprays contain components that are hazardous to animals, including cats and dogs.
Unless the product instructions indicate that it is okay to do so and you have spoken with your veterinarian, never spray straight onto your pet’s fur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to treat my home for fleas on a regular basis?
Most experts believe that treating your home and pets for fleas should begin as soon as you notice the first flea. This is due to the fact that a female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, resulting in approximately 2,000 eggs in her short lifetime.
Those that hatch and mature into adult fleas can live anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on the environment.
It’s ideal to deal with this problem as soon as possible because, if left untreated, fleas can cause a variety of difficulties for both you and your cat. Fleas are not only bothersome, but they can also transmit diseases and parasites.
Some pets are mild to severely allergic to flea saliva, and even a single flea bite can cause them discomfort or even death in some cases.
Itching flea bites is a common reaction for those who have experienced flea infestations in their homes. As a result of this impulse, your pet may lick and scratch themselves, resulting in secondary problems such as skin infections, hot spots, and even behavioural problems such as destroying furniture out of frustration.
How long does it take for home flea treatments to start working?
In addition to substances that kill on contact, most home flea treatments contain additional ingredients called growth inhibitors, which disrupt the flea life cycle and cause the flea to die.
Some solutions, such as those containing strong insecticides, offer instant results, whilst more natural products can take up to 30 days to completely eliminate all fleas.
Remember to pay close attention to the container because most products will show how quickly they take action on the label.
Is it safe to use flea remedies at home?
In addition, Dr. Smith warns that while using pesticides to cure a flea infestation in your house, keep in mind that these chemicals may have adverse consequences on your family, pets, and the environment.
According to the majority of experts, using at-home flea treatments is completely safe as long as you thoroughly read the instructions before using them and follow them exactly.
Some substances must be completely dry before they may be handled safely.
Some flea spray needs you to remove all food and plates from the treatment area prior to applying the treatment solution. Before using flea control items in your house, make sure you understand the product completely and that you have a plan in place.
Facts Check:
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