Flea & Tick Prevention/Care

 Treating your pet is only part of the solution. To get rid of a flea infestation, you have to treat the home and yard, too, because adult fleas and especially their eggs can live in the environment. Here’s how to get rid of a flea infestation in your home and yard. 

 In Your Bed:

• Wash all bedding (sheets, pillowcases, blankets) in hot, soapy water.
• Dry the bedding on high heat.
• Vacuum the mattress and surrounding areas thoroughly.

  On Your Furniture

• Vacuum upholstery thoroughly.
• Use flea sprays designed for furniture that are safe for use around the types of pets in your home.
• Wash removable covers and cushions in hot, soapy water. Dry on high heat (if washing instructions allow).
• Steam-clean furniture that cannot be washed. 

   In Your Carpet and Rugs

• Vacuum carpets and rugs at least twice a day, disposing of the vacuum bag or canister contents immediately.
• While optional, steam cleaning after vacuuming can kill fleas and eggs lodged in carpet fibers.
• Apply flea sprays or powders designed for carpets. The product should be safe for use around the types of pets in your home. Make sure the treatment penetrates deep into the carpet fibers.

    In Your Yard

• Maintain your yard by mowing regularly, removing leaf litter and debris, and trimming overgrown plants.
• Reduce shaded areas and avoid overwatering your plants.
• Apply beneficial nematodes. They’re microscopic worms that will live in your soil, preying on pests like fleas, aphids, and caterpillars. They don’t pose risks to humans or pets.
• Apply pet-safe insecticides designed for outdoor areas.

    When To Call the Professionals

• For stubborn flea infestations that aren't resolved with home cleaning methods, consider professional pest control. The cost depends on the infestation's severity, and treatments typically take a few weeks spread over several visits.

     How To Prevent a Flea Infestation

• The key to preventing fleas on pets and in the home is by keeping all pets in the household up to date on flea preventives.
• Warmer winters have led to fleas being a year-round problem, not just seasonal. It’s one of the reasons veterinarians recommend year-round coverage for fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites.
• Routine cleaning, sanitizing new furniture and clothing, and regular yard maintenance can prevent infestations in homes with or without pets.

    WRITTEN BY Veronica Higgs, DVM Veterinarian