Control Fleas In Five Easy Steps
Fleas can be a major headache to eliminate, but fear not, because our 5 flea control tips can help you take permanent charge of flea problems, before they get out of hand and you need to reach for professional pest control help.Fleas are usually most active during the summer months, and we get called out to lots of people who can't seem to solve the flea problems themselves.
Here are 5 common reasons why your fleas won't go!
- Your Vacuum - If you have a compact vacuum that you pull around with you and lacks a rotary brush, then you have little or no chance of lifting fleas in every stage of the fleas life-cycle directly out of the carpet and off floor surfaces. A staggering 80% of pet owners with fleas have a compact vacuum. The vibration at the head of the vacuum is what stimulates the mature fleas to hatch from their pupae, so simply having having greater suction is no distinct advantage.
- Floor Boards and Laminate - Fleas develop and mature in the gaps between floor boards and in the gap between the skirting board and the floor. These are areas the vacuum will be unable to reach and chemical control can prove difficult. Steam is your best option here. steam generators are fairly cheap to buy, but higher quality models offer a dryer steam, and less condensation to mist up your windows.
- Your Sofa - Sofas and chairs etc, are almost always overlooked. Over time, all sorts of dust, food residues, packaging and toys etc collect in gaps beneath the cushions. Again, intensive vacuuming and steam treatment works well here, without the need to use pesticides. The area beneath the sofa is another area that you should vacuum regularly. The bonus is, you might find some cash down the side of the cushions!
- Cat Flaps - When a cat passes away or you move into a home that has had a cat, the cat flap is one of the things people forget about or fail to take notice of. Cat flaps that are no-longer in use need to be secured. In the event you have a cat, then you can install a cat flap with a magnetic collar key. Other peoples untreated cats are a major source of fleas, and many well meaning people encourage feral cats into their homes.
- Pet Treatments - So finally, we come to the dreaded pesticides. Well pesticides have their place - last place! Many people have fleas because they buy products from the store. These products are often nothing more than low quality and sometimes expensive insect repellents. People also buy plug-in ultrasonic devices - that simply don't work. Modern flea populations are highly resistant to many of these products, and pesticides and cures used in the absence of what we have already discussed, simply won't be enough. Always have your pets treated by a vet and request the latest products. It might sound like something you want to avoid, but pesticides in your home should be a last resort.
Flea control is not difficult, but it is sometimes time consuming. Good house keeping is essential.
For more information about flea control, why not visit www.pestadviser.com
