Whether you live in a house or an apartment, many of you have a pet in your life. Beyond kindness and love, however, it can unknowingly lead us to successful disposal.
How a flea infestation works
Immediately after fertilization, the female flea seeks a host to which it can suck blood, using its stinging mouthparts. Due to its body structure, it is able to jump up to 30 cm. If your pet gets in her way, nothing will stop her from eating, both for her and for her eggs, of which she can produce up to 500. These eggs, after a week or two, become larvae which then feed on faeces and other debris until they pupate to hatch into an adult flea.
Flea Eradication
After noticing them, you need to inspect your home and assess the situation. The first step should be to remove the fleas directly on the pet. Do this either by administering an anti-parasitic preparation that eliminates fleas or by bathing and applying an anti-flea shampoo. This will make the pet immune, at least for a while. However, this does not solve the problem. A flea is able to go without food for a year, and so are its pupae. It is important to treat all the places the pet has been in contact with. There are several methods of eliminating fleas and their larvae:
- Vacuuming with a sufficiently powerful vacuum cleaner
- Wash all fabrics (at least to 40 °C)
- Use of chemical products
- Use of steam cleaner
When nothing works…
These methods, depending on the level of infestation, will need to be repeated. The key is thoroughness and paying attention to the pet’s favorite spots. However, if nothing helps, there are other methods, such as insect killing smoke bombs, collars, offering protection for up to 6 months, or the questionable use of food grade diatomaceous earth, which kills adult fleas very effectively, but in any case does not eliminate eggs and larvae. Filtering diatomaceous earth is not suitable for these purposes and could do more harm. If no alternative method works, an exterminator should be contacted.