How To Keep Your Home Free of Fleas

May 27, 2021

From flea collars to shampoos, sprays and medicated remedies, there are a number of ways you can protect your dog from getting fleas. But how do you get rid of fleas once they’ve nestled into your home?

With the weather warming up and most of us spending more time outside, it’s the ideal time for fleas to hitch a ride home on your dog. Fleas prefer animals to humans, but given the chance, they will quite readily nestle down into your soft furnishings, lay their eggs and infest your home. So flea season is not just about protecting your dog but also yourself from these pesky creatures.

The trouble with fleas is that they can also harbour disease and being blood-sucking parasites, can easily infect any unsuspecting sentient being. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), fleas can cause tapeworm and anemia. Some dogs develop an allergic reaction to flea bites, causing intense scratching, red and flaky skin, scabs, hot spots, and hair loss.

This is definitely one creature you do not want to let into your house. So, once you’ve taken all the necessary precautions and treated your dog against these nasty parasites, you’ll want to take extra steps to ensure your home is free of fleas. 

Once fleas get into your home, it can be a long process to finally be rid of them. A female flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs at a time. These hatch in 1-10 days and the larva can lay dormant for up to a year before attaching to a host. So patience and perseverance are a must.

Here are a few tips to keep your home or cottage free of fleas:

• All dog beds and sleeping areas need to be regularly washed in really hot water.
• All soft furnishings in your house need the same hot water treatment.
• Keep carpets and floors vacuumed regularly, making sure to immediately dispose of the dirt in a sealed bag outside.
• Treat your house with a flea fogger or spray.
• Give your backyard the same treatment and make sure to keep your grass cut short.
• Make sure you also clean the inside of your car thoroughly.
• Ensure your dog’s canine friends are flea-free and avoid contact with strange dogs.
• Keep your dog on leash during flea season.
• If all else fails, call an exterminator. 

A flea infestation is no fun and can take anywhere from one month to three months to finally get on top of it. Prevention is the cure. So stock up on those flea sprays and consult your vet for medicated remedies yearly.