How do I kill fleas

fleas

The flea is a small, wingless insect that feeds on the blood of animals and birds. The flea is considered a parasite because it lives as a dependant on the bodies of animals or on the human body. It makes them a shelter for it to live in, and benefits from its blood as a source of food. It moves frequently from one body to another, transmitting diseases with it. The flea feeds on human blood by sucking blood from the skin after piercing it with a strong bite. In this respect, it is similar to lice except that it is less adapted and specialized. In its functions, the flea bite causes a very strong itching that leads to moderate - and sometimes large - swelling, depending on the sensitivity of the skin. In addition to that, these insects may be very dangerous because of their ability to transmit and spread diseases among people, or transmit them to them from animals, and among the most dangerous diseases that they transmit are: : Plague, typhus or petechial fever.

It is preferable to eliminate fleas that live on animals, especially sheep, cats, and dogs. These animals are usually around the house, which makes it easy for the flea to jump from them to a person, hide in his clothes, and then feed on his blood. Fleas do not like to stay for a long time on the body of the animal. The same, they prefer to move and jump constantly from one animal to another, and in the event of the death of the creature that supports them, they leave it because it loses its ability to provide it with food. These creatures are famous for the strength of their legs, and their ability to jump great distances relative to their size, so one of them can jump a distance of thirty centimeters in one go. one.

How to eliminate fleas

House cleaning

There are a set of steps that must be followed to clean the house and eliminate fleas, which are as follows:

• Clean bedding, covers, and pillows with hot water, in addition to the bedding of pets living in the house.
• Clean sheets, clothes, and all items on which fleas are observed.
• Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture using a vacuum cleaner, with the possibility of repeating the process more than once.
• Cleaning carpets using baking soda, as it helps dry the eggs inside the carpet before they hatch, and this is done by following a set of steps, which are as follows:
  • Cover the carpet completely with baking soda.
  • Leave the baking soda on the carpet for about 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
  • Vacuum the carpet and vacuum it using a vacuum cleaner.

Use borax

Borax is considered one of the effective methods for eliminating fleas. This is done by spraying borax on the place where the fleas are present, then cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner, taking care to avoid children or pets from being close to the place where the borax is present. This is to avoid its health harm to them.

Diatomite

Diatomite, or diatomaceous earth, is one of the materials used to prevent the spread of fleas, according to what was indicated by Dr. Mike Merchant, an entomologist. It can also be used to eliminate fleas at various stages of their development, as it is safe. So that children and pets are not exposed to danger when sprinkled on cracks in the floors and where animals sleep, but it may harm the lungs if it enters the respiratory tract. It is worth noting that this powder is available in stores that sell seeds.

Use of lime

Lime can be used to get rid of fleas, by following the following steps:

• Get rid of all the debris in your garden and put it in a garbage bag.
• Wash tree leaves and get rid of weeds, as fleas live in cold areas of the garden and cannot live in places that receive sunlight.
• Spray lime evenly in the home garden, as lime helps kill the life cycle of fleas, paying attention to the recommended dose written on the lime can to determine the amount added.
• Walk quietly while spraying fertilizers, and fertilizers should be sprinkled evenly with lime.
• Irrigate the garden regularly with water that covers 2 centimeters of it; This is to avoid the appearance of white powder on the soil.
• Repeat the process again if you are unable to get rid of fleas completely.
• Mow the grass and keep it short; This is in order to eliminate fleas’ hiding and breeding areas.

sulfur

Natural sulfur can be used to kill fleas that eat or touch this substance, by sprinkling sulfur powder on grass, shrubs, and other places in the open air. It is noted that sulfur is a safe substance for humans, but it may be toxic or toxic. Fatal to pets if ingested in large quantities.

vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner can be used; To get rid of fleas, by using them on a daily basis to clean carpets, upholstered furniture, and curtains in the event that there are pets sitting on the windowsill. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag every time you vacuum; To prevent fleas from multiplying inside them, care must also be taken to get rid of pillows that contain fleas.

Pesticide

It is possible to combat fleas and get rid of them by spraying insecticides, using an aerosol spray, or a dust spray that is specially designed to eliminate fleas. It is also possible to use pesticides based on pyrethrin. The following steps should be taken into account when using insecticides to eliminate fleas. On fleas:

• Wear protective equipment; Such as gloves and masks.
• Remove all people and pets from the home.
• Start spraying from the outside of the house, taking care to focus on the areas where pets spend most of their time.
• Sprinkle a little on rugs, floors, under and on rugs, on pillows, on and under furniture, on window edges, curtains, pet beds that can't be washed, cracks, and other places where fleas are likely to be found.
• Leave all family members outside until the spray dries.

Insect growth regulators

Insect growth regulators (IGR) are substances that can be used to get rid of fleas and prevent their reproduction. These regulators eliminate small fleas and prevent eggs from hatching. They are available in the form of pills or sprays available with prescriptions from veterinarians, and their effect extends for a period of time. 6 months, or more.

How to eliminate fleas in kittens

Bathing and combing

Using a flea comb and bathing helps get rid of the largest possible number of fleas on cats. This is in addition to the possibility of using products specially designed to eliminate cat fleas to avoid infecting cats with them again. The flea comb is used to completely comb the cat’s fur, making sure to place a container containing Bleach diluted with water nearby; To get rid of fleas and eggs stuck to the comb directly and ensure their death, it is not necessary to use a special cat shampoo while bathing the cat. You can use mild shampoo or baby shampoo instead.

Oral medications

You must consult a veterinarian to learn about safe and appropriate medications that can be used to get rid of fleas on cats. It is also preferable to obtain the medications directly from him and not from pet stores. Because the medications present there can harm cats, it is advisable to inform the doctor if there are pregnant women or children in the house. In order to choose the safe medicine to use around them.

It is worth noting that these medicines are usually available in the form of liquid tablets or vaccines. These medicines eliminate fleas within a short period of time without leaving any residue on the cats’ fur. It is recommended to use them on a monthly basis throughout the year to prevent fleas.

Topical products

Topical products for eliminating fleas are used as a treatment that is safer and easier to use than traditional shampoos and sprays. They can be obtained from the veterinarian or through online stores. It is preferable to consult a doctor about the number of times the product is used, the place of application on the cat’s body, and the amount used during this. Or by reading the label on the product to learn how to use it.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is considered one of the effective natural solutions for getting rid of fleas on cats. It is used by filling a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar and spraying it generously on the cat’s fur, leaving it for five minutes before washing it, then combing the cat’s fur with a flea comb.

You can also mix vinegar with cat shampoo by mixing an equal amount of each in a spray can, and start applying the resulting solution to the cat’s head first when placing it in water, then mix the solution well into the cat’s fur and leave it for five minutes before washing it well with water. Finish by using a flea comb on the fur. If the cat feels afraid when immersed in water, this can be replaced by pouring water using a bath jug.