Fleas bite and can carry an array of diseases. In fact, they have the potential to carry some of the most deadly diseases known to humans.
The good news is that they usually target your pets, this is because they are generally easier to get to. You’re probably aware that fleas can jump impressively high compared to their size. However, because they are so small this still means few will manage to jump past knee height on a human.
If they bite you you’re most likely to see it on the lower part of your legs. If this is happening it’s likely that you have a serious infestation as they are running out of room on your pets.
Signs of A Flea Infestation
The most obvious sign is your pet. They’ll be itching a lot. This can cause them to develop sores. If you brush their hair with a flea comb you’ll be able to see the fleas moving around. They are not easy to catch.
The best course of action with animals is to get flea treatment from your vets and give them a bath. Flea shampoo will suffocate the fleas. But, this won’t remove all the ones from your carpet, where the eggs are laid. In fact, if your pets have been treated the fleas are now more likely to bite you!
You need these remedies:
- Dish Soap
This is one of the easiest and most successful approaches. Simply put a little dish soap in a bowl with some water and leave it in the room that has fleas. The fleas will be attracted to the water and jump in. The soap acts as a glue, preventing the fleas from leaving. You’ll have to discard the dish soap every day and put a new batch down. It’s a slow process but it works.
- Herbal Spray
Mix 2 parts water to 4 parts vinegar and add a little lemon juice and witch hazel. You’ll have created an excellent and effective flea killer. The combination of ingredients effectively suffocates the flea. Because it’s natural you can happily spray it anywhere in your home and then simply vacuum up the dead fleas.
- Baking Soda
This is one of the best household ingredients you can have because it is useful in so many ways. All you have to do is sprinkle the baking soda around your floors and soft furnishings. Then, use a brush to make sure it penetrates properly. Leave it for a few hours and then vacuum up the dead fleas and the eggs in your carpets.
- Salt
Fleas are not fans of salt. It effectively eats their tough exoskeleton and causes them to dehydrate. Adopt the same approach as with your baking soda, sprinkle it across the floors, and brush it in.
You can leave this there for a couple of days before vacuuming, that will help to ensure it kills off all the fleas.
- Professional Help
It’s worth noting that fleas multiply very quickly. It’s easy to miss some when treating your home, resulting in a repeat infestation.
