- Flea Control in the Home -
Remedy for Eliminating Fleas

Natural flea control in the home begins with cleaning. Think of your vacuum as your new best friend for flea removal. Spraying chemicals may hurt your dog more than the fleas so save that poison for the vacuum bag.

Once you realize your dog has fleas, you probably have flea eggs and feces in your carpet, on your furniture (if Fido is allowed there) and in all the dark quiet hiding places fleas congregate.

Getting the flea poop is just as important as getting the fleas since the flea feces is actually food for the young fleas. (I know, pretty gross.)

What Kind of Vacuum Works?

Any vacuum with a good hose attachment. Having a crevice tool is best.

What About a Vacuum Bag?

Good question. Once the nasty little critters are in there, we don't want them crawling out. Either put a flea collar or some borax in it. Otherwise throw the bag out after each use.

How To Vacuum

Go over each area three times. (I do one strip 3 times and then move on.) Move the furniture and vacuum those areas next. Now use the crevice tool where the baseboards meet the floor. Remember fleas like those dark quiet places to mature and wait for their next victim!

The reason I say to vacuum three times for flea control in the home is fleas are actually attracted to the vibration of the vacuum. This gives them a chance to get closer to the surface and get caught.

Check Your Furniture

Lift the cushions on your sofa and chairs. Of course you'll have to make the dogs move for a few minutes, but you can do it. Now, inspect for feces and eggs. Be brave. Get your hands down in there to feel for that gritty stuff. You may get lucky and find a few dollars in change.

The small whitish eggs are hard to see, but if you see or feel the gritty 'flea dirt' use that vacuum! Remember why the crevice tool got its name.

Dog Crates and Kennels

If your dog spends time in a crate, wash any bedding and vacuum the crate. Move it and vacuum under and around it.

If he or she has a wire kennel with the pull out tray, look around the outside first. Notice any dirt? It may be flea dirt. Vacuum it! Move the kennel and vacuum well where it stood.

Dog Beds

Wash those dog beds! If you can't wash the whole bed, take off the cover and wash it. Put the remaining part in the hot sun if possible.

The Good News

You can avoid flea infestation and treatments with chemicals by following these guidelines. Vacuum every few days and wash bedding and vacuum around kennels once a week.

The Bad News

This can be time consuming and if you leave your new best friend in the closet over a week, you can be headed for a flea infestation.

Recommendations

To boost flea control in the home, my favorite is borax on your carpets in conjunction with these procedures. I'll explain exactly how to do it if you meet me over at Fleas in the House.

If you have a yard, use non-chemical outside flea control and you can eliminate fleas and make your new best friend into an acquaintance.

For a book of home made recipes check out this one. It's called Essentials for the Herbal Hound. I bought it and thought it was a great investment. It has homemade shampoos, odor eliminators and all kinds of good stuff. It's an eBook you can purchase and download right now. I think you'll like it!

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