HOW TO GET RID OF FLEAS FROM YOUR HOME? EFFECTIVE METHODS TO GET RID OF FLEAS.
Our four-legged friends are our best friends, but unfortunately they can also bring unwanted guests into the house - fleas. If you notice that your dog or cat has fleas, then first of all take care of the animal. The fleas are not so easy to eradicate and flee. After a while you will notice small red flea bites on your legs and arms. The apartment is now infested and you need a good way to get rid of the fleas from your premises. Do you recognize yourself in the text? If so, then read on and find out more about effective flea control measures.
THE ENEMY: WHAT DOES A FLEA LOOK LIKE?
The flea belongs to a genus of winged insects that are secondarily wingless (they lost their wings in the course of evolution). On average, the flea is very small, measuring 2 to 3 millimeters. It is characterized by its brownish-red body coloration and has a piercing-sucking mouth apparatus with which it drinks the blood of its hosts. It usually attacks humans, dogs, cats, mice, rats, other mammals, but also birds.
So far, the flea has no special characteristics. Wait until you hear how much blood this parasite drinks per day. The tiny flea can drink 20 times its body weight in blood! Impressive, right? The flea we most often encounter in our environment is the human, dog or cat flea. This species is a fraction of the insect family, which includes over 2000 different species of fleas that are found on almost every continent. Because they travel with humans, they have reached places in the world that they would never have reached on their own, and are therefore a cosmopolitan species with a very large geographical range.
FLEA BITES
Flea bites are usually small red spots that resemble a mosquito bite but do not cause swelling. The reddened areas cause itching, which can be extremely uncomfortable for people with sensitive skin. For people with allergies, the itching can last up to 5 days after the bite.
FLEA-TRANSMITTED DISEASES
Even though the parasites are tiny, that doesn't mean they can't spread dangerous diseases. They transmit, for example, bacterial cat scratch disease. This disease can be transmitted to humans if scratched by a young kitten. Symptoms include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, headaches and fatigue. If not recognized and treated properly, it can lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and inflammation of the bone marrow (osteomyelitis). Fleas are also intermediate hosts for the dog tapeworm, which can lead to serious gastrointestinal diseases if ingested by the human body. Children infected with this parasite can experience particular complications. A look at history shows the damage fleas can cause. Just think of the largest plague epidemic, in which fleas turned out to be the main carriers of plague bacteria.
DOES MY DOG OR CAT HAVE FLEAS?
The bites of fleas are also unpleasant for our pets and you will quickly recognize the flea infestation by the behavior of your four-legged friend. Frequent biting and scratching of the legs, belly or rear of the animal can indicate an infestation with the parasites. A fairly universal method in the fight against these insects is to put the animal in a bowl of water, the fleas will move towards the tail to seek protection from drowning. This way you can get rid of them quickly and non-invasively. If you have a dog, you should check the places where it sleeps, eats or stays with people, as they can contain eggs and larvae of fleas, which should be removed immediately. If you have a cat, it is worth examining all the furniture and cupboards where the animal stays. You can only win the fight against fleas in the apartment if you check these places regularly and frequently. Your four-legged friend can be equipped with an animal-friendly flea and tick repellent. This device effectively repels fleas and ticks and drives the parasites out of your home.
FLEA CONTROL AT HOME
When you start the fight against parasites, the first priority is to keep your home clean: vacuum dusty and inaccessible places where the parasite larvae can hide. When vacuuming carpets, you may be in for a surprise when the vibrations scare away the fleas hiding in them. Be prepared for this. Remember to mop floors and furniture regularly and try to keep your home sparkling clean.
FLEA CONTROL - EFFECTIVE METHODS
Flea control at home is not easy. Home remedies for fleas will not help you. The best method is spray solutions for fleas. The insecticide comes in concentrate form and should be diluted with water and distributed using a pressure sprayer. Flea eggs are hidden in the cracks of parquet floors, skirting boards and other hollow spaces, so you cannot reach them with home remedies. Flea eggs have a thin shell that is partially resistant to insecticides. Therefore, the control must be repeated after about 2 weeks. You can also use preparations such as special flea sprays. The biocidal properties are achieved just 2 hours after application to insects.
