Tips to Keep Fleas and Ticks at Bay
Every pet parent has to deal with fleas and ticks. These pests thrive in hot, humid climates and can make their way into your yard and home if not treated on time. Their life cycle can be anywhere between 18-21 days, and the larvae can lie dormant for months until the right weather conditions come along. Fleas and ticks carry multiple diseases, including Lyme’s disease, so you should know how to get rid of them.
- How to get rid of fleas and ticks from your house
Most fleas and ticks that infest the house are either larvae, eggs, or cocoons left behind by adult fleas. Even if you use a flea comb or shampoo to kill the fleas on your pet’s fur, the eggs left behind can later cause an infestation. You can take the following steps to prevent this:
- Vacuum regularly
Vacuum your floor, furnishings, and carpets daily, and ensure that the device can get rid of pet dander and spores so that it’s powerful enough to sweep up the eggs and larvae. Also, try using a disposable bag that you can throw away without touching. Don’t forget to vacuum in between cracks, tight spaces, and the hard-to-reach corners, as fleas and ticks usually make their home in such spots. - Try a steam cleaner
Using high heat is a sure-shot way of getting rid of fleas and ticks from your home. You can use a steam cleaner over your carpets, pillowcases, bedsheets, and sofas after vacuuming so that any eggs or larvae are killed by the heat. Washing your bedding in hot water is another way to get rid of fleas and ticks through heat. - Use flea-killing treatments
These treatments can be natural or chemical. Some home remedies for fleas are lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils like peppermint, bergamot, and eucalyptus. You can also use aerosol sprays available in the market.
- How to get rid of fleas and ticks from the yard
If you’re unsure how to get rid of fleas and ticks, you can approach a veterinarian for guidance or have pest control sort out the situation. Here are some steps you can take:
- Clean your yard regularly
These pests prefer the wet, swampy environment that some yards offer. So, if you’re wondering how to get rid of fleas and ticks or keep them from infesting your yards, the answer is to clean it regularly. Avoid keeping trash cans in your backyard for too long, and don’t forget to sweep away the old leaves. - Use cedar chips around the yard
This is among the best remedies to keep these pests away, but you can also use nematodes or diatomaceous earth. Nematodes are roundworms that feed on fleas, ticks, and their larvae, while diatomaceous earth is a fine, white powder that is the fossilized remains of planktons. When fleas and ticks come into contact with this powder, their bodies get dehydrated and shriveled up. This powder is perfectly safe to use in your garden as well.