Fighting the Flea Battle
Two years ago when I got my first cat as an adult, moving out of my father’s house, I was clueless as to how to fight the flea battle. My cat at the time was an indoor and outdoor cat. She brought fleas into the house, where they made themselves a new home. They bit at her and at me. My legs were covered in their bites. Looking back, it’s hard for me to believe I didn’t figure out right away that fleas were causing all these red bites on my legs.
A friend of mine suggested several techniques I could use to get rid of the fleas in my home and off my cat. I hope sharing them with you is beneficial for you and your pet.
First, it is essential for you to get the fleas off your cat or dog! Using products like Hartz Flea and Tick drops are not recommended because they tend to be ineffective. Some of these products are also dangerous if ingested by your pet. Using a product such as Advantage is much more effective and safe for your pet. Follow the directions on the package. Most flea treatments need only be administered once every month.
Second, you must work diligently for weeks or even months to rid your home from flea infestation. Use a spray such a Raid in your home to kill fleas and their eggs. Remember to follow the directions on the bottle carefully and watch your pet so that he or she does not ingest the spray by accident.
A relatively commonly suggested solution for killing adult fleas in the home involves sprinkling your carpet with salt. Allow the salt to sit on the carpet for two or three days, then vacuum it up. Fleas die when they hit salt! Repeat this process often to continue fighting the flea infestation.
Another flea killing technique people swear by is putting dish soap, like Dawn or Ivory into a bowl of water. Place a light near the bowl. You can use a flashlight or a lamp with a gooseneck to attract fleas to the water. Leave the bowl there overnight and see how many show up in the water in the morning.
It is also important for you to keep a clean house on a regular basis while fighting flea infestation. If your pet has a bed, wash it often. Additionally, wash the places your pet enjoys laying frequently. Be prepared to vacuum your house every few days while actively fighting fleas as well.
Fleas are pesky critters that interrupt your pet’s life, but they don’t have to. Following the advice outlined in this article will help you rid your home and pet of fleas and prevent flea infestation in the future.
