How To Get Rid of Fleas

In The Yard

In The House

On Your Pet

Stanley Steel

Publisher Copyright

Jordy  Christo

Copyright, Legal Notice and Disclaimer:

This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights: you are not allowed to give or sell this Guide to anyone else. Please note that much of this publication is based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence. Although the author and publisher have made every reasonable attempt to achieve complete accuracy of the content in this Guide, they assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Also, you should use this information as you see fit, and at your own risk. Your particular situation may not be exactly suited to the examples illustrated here; in fact, it's likely that they won't be the same, and you should adjust your use of the information and recommendations accordingly. Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if we use one of these terms. Finally, use your head. Nothing in this Guide is intended to replace common sense, legal, medical or other professional advice. We hope you benefit from this edition of “How To Get Rid of FLeas”, from Jordy Christo. Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved worldwide.

Table Of Contents

PART 1: Getting to Know the Enemy

All About Fleas

Dangers of Fleas on Pets and Owners

Effects of Infestation

Flea Control

PART 2: Conquering the Problem

How to get rid of fleas in the house

How to get rid of fleas in the yard

How to get rid of fleas on your pet

PART 3: Happily Ever After (Living without Fleas)

Flea prevention in the house

Flea prevention in the yard

Flea prevention and your pet

Other Important Tips

PART 1: Getting to Know the Enemy

All About Fleas

Fleas are dark copper in color and are very small. They are small pin-like organisms that dislike light, so they prefer to hide in the innermost folds within the animal's body: the ears, the neck, in between the toes and other inner folds.

There are about 2,000 species and subspecies of fleas. The life cycle of one follows several stages: eggs are hatched and they emerge into the larva or caterpillar stage, followed by the cocoon and pupa, before emerging into the adult stage. During the pupae stage, fleas are very pliant because they are still protected by a cocoon. Once properly out and hatched, they will approximate themselves in heated areas by following exhaled carbon dioxide. All attempts to eradicate fleas can be directed to any of the stages mentioned above. What is deemed successful, will depend on the kind of problem being dealt with because there are specific products that are designed for every single one of them.

The life of a flea is influenced by a lot of things. If proper environment, temperature, humidity and nourishment are provided, a regular flea can survive and live longer (typically a few weeks or 16 to 21 days).

The Dog Flea: The dog flea has elongated mouthparts that are meant to pierce into dog skin. This allows them to suck blood, making them effective external parasites. They do not have wings, but their bodies are flat with hair and spines that promote easy travel, and long hind legs of six pairs that allow jumping.

The Cat Flea: The cat flea is very easy to tell apart from a dog flea because they look quite different from each other. Cat fleas have round heads with hind legs that have eight setae-bearing notches. Cat fleas sometimes prefer residence on dogs because the environment is most ideal for them.

Dangers of Fleas on Pets and Owners

Flea infestations in the home are both dangerous to pets and  humans. Successfully combating an outbreak, therefore, is going to be essential for the health and safety of everyone in the family, human or animal.

Fleas thrive on a warm-blooded host for nourishment. When lodged on a host—cat, dog or human, it will suck blood for as much as three times its body weight and lay hundreds of eggs. The eggs, about half the size of the adult, can leave the body of the host and scatter all over. They are built with three pairs of legs and they are quite nimble so when they are looking for a host, they do so by jumping about 10,000 times in a row (which is approximately the size of three football fields).

Effects of Infestation

On the Animal

Fleas may be found all over the pet’s body: the abdomen, the head and the tail. When latched onto a host, they will feed every 1 to 2 days and continue to do so until they maximize their life span of 16 to 21 days. To know whether your pet is suffering from flea infestation, understand that these symptoms may be observed:

- mild to severe itching, pruritus

- hair loss to extremely allergic animal

- inflammation of the skin

- secondary skin infection

- excessive licking and biting of skin

- presence of scabs and hot spots

- appearance of pale gums

- presence of tape worms in stool

- allergic dermatitis caused by the saliva

- flea dirt (feces) are specks that appear like pepper on the skin

Pruritus is severe itching of the skin and is the most common symptom of flea infestations, but it is important for one to identify whether or not the itching is really related to fleas and not other microorganisms.

Fleas can consume blood 15 times more than their body weight. The symptoms mentioned above are initial symptoms pet owners have to keep an eye on, so that they can avoid complications such as anemia that can occur after severe blood loss is experienced. If an episode of anemia is suffered by a puppy, it could be very dangerous and fatal. Among the list, presence of pale gums is a good indication of anemia. When low body temperature and listlessness is noted, there is a good chance that your pet is already anemic.

Finally, fleas can also cause tapeworm infections. Flea larvae feed on tapeworm eggs, the larva matures and if the flea is swallowed by a dog or cat, this becomes an issue because the tapeworms may hatch and attach to the wall of the pets intestine. At this point, the dog is not just enduring a flea infestation but is also going through a tapeworm problem. A pet suffering a tapeworm infection will be seen with rectal irritation, abdominal pain, appetite loss, nervousness, diarrhea and weight loss.

On Human Owners

Fleas are disruptive, even to humans, but they are only a problem when extreme levels of infestation have been reached:

- When fleas bite human skin a rash may develop, usually on the armpits, elbows, ankles or knees. Bites usually presents with bumps that may bleed.

- In most extreme cases, some fleas have been found to cause the bubonic plague when the unfortunate transfer from rodent to humans occur.

- Fleas can also carry mites and these can cause cheyletiella dermatitis, demodectic mange and sarcoptic mange. These conditions are easily transferred to humans and can be very dangerous.

- Tapeworms can also be a problem when adults and children accidentally ingest flea parts into their system.

Flea Control

Control and combat of fleas can proceed in different ways. Medications designed to prevent and kill fleas come in two formulations:

1. IDIS: Insect development inhibitors have diflubenzuron and lufenuron. These substances are able to inhibit the development of chitin, which makes up the exoskeleton of fleas. If the chitin is not formed on the flea, it will not be able to develop into an adult. Unfortunately, IDIS substances are not designed to deal with adult fleas so a separate product needs to be used with it.

2. IGRS: Insect growth regulator substances can mimic the juvenile growth hormone of fleas. When the growth of fleas is halted at the juvenile stages, they are prevented from maturing into their adult forms. Eventually the fleas just molt and die and fortunately infestations are avoided.

In the next sections of this book, you will gain a better understanding of how to protect the entire household from flea infestations.

PART 2: Conquering the Problem

Having pets is a big responsibility. You cannot make a decision to have a pet and not give them tender loving care, because it is all part of the responsibility. Pet owners have to be in charge of a lot of things when they care for animals at home. Come summertime, caring for them may prove to be a bigger chore than you want to take on.

Fleas thrive in temperatures below 65-80 degrees and in humidity levels of 75-85%, so when the summer season starts, the problem begins. The most successful infestation control is accomplished when preventive and combative measures are performed on the pet, as well as the indoor and outdoor part of the house. You cannot focus on the pet and leave the environment alone. To completely eradicate fleas and effectively prevent infestations, all efforts have to be thorough.

How to get rid of fleas in the house

Within the house, you will need to carry out effective measures to completely sanitize and remove fleas from the house. To ensure that you don’t experience an infestation of fleas in the home, the following are workable methods that you can use:

- Wash all sheets and beddings. Fleas may be on the sheets without you knowing it. So you will need to wash all the sheets and beddings in the home that are probably carrying them. The same should be done on throw pillows, curtains and other fabrics lying around in the house.

- Wash and clean all the carpets. The texture of carpets are perfect for trapping fleas. If there is an infestation at your house, washing the carpets will be important. You can vacuum the carpets (throwing away the used bag after doing so) and then steam clean them to kill even flea larvae present. If you notice that even the most thorough efforts to vacuum and steam clean is not enough, the application of chemicals will be necessary as an adjunct.

- Foggers. A fogger is a chemical treatment that a pet owner can use to eradicate fleas in the home. Foggers are available in various formulations but it is important that you look for products that can deal with adult fleas, as well as fleas in younger life stages. Most products can only deal with adults fleas and these work too late, but products incorporated with an insect growth regulator are going to be helpful. Metroprene is an example of a growth regulator; this formulation is best for indoor use.

- Hire an exterminator. If you have already exhausted all the efforts and you still have a problem, you can choose to hire an exterminator. An extermination company will carry out proven methods to kill fleas in different life cycles, so you can rest assured that everyone at home (animal or human) is safe after they have done the job—and during the process, you may be asked to evacuate or relocate temporarily.

How to get rid of fleas in the yard

As much as efforts inside the home are important, it is also necessary that eradication techniques be carried out for the outdoor part of the premises, as well.

These methods are a lot different:

- Sprays and pesticides. For the outdoors, sprays and insecticides in pellet form are very useful. These can be used to clean and disinfect kennels and dog houses. Specifically, an insect growth regulator formulated with Pyriproxifen is a good outdoor product because it is stable in the sunlight and lasts longer, too.

- Nematodes. An organic method of dealing with flea infestation is to use non-toxic tiny roundworms. These worms can be spread on the areas where fleas are abundant and they could feed on flea larvae. They are harmless to humans but are known to love feasting on various yard pests such as grubs and spidermites. Nematodes may be bought in garden centers.

How to get rid of fleas on your pet

Once you confirm that your pet is infested with fleas, you have to provide the following solutions to get them out of danger:

- Prescription medication. Anti-flea medicines are already available in the market today. Unfortunately, while these medications are good for the eggs, they are not good defenses against adult fleas. The work of prescription medications is usually targeted towards the prevention of eggs from hatching. A successful campaign of this level should ultimately prevent any onslaught that is expected.

- Hygiene products. There are various hygiene products that are medicated to combat flea infection. Soaps, shampoos and powders are designed in ant-flea formulations, and they may be used to protect pets. Flea soaps are medicated so that they are effective cell membrane disruptors. When applied to the pet, the fleas are killed because their protective waxes are removed, making them more susceptible and open. When the outside covering is removed, the flea becomes weak and dies. Continued use of medicated soaps and shampoos will afford stronger defense and protection against fleas.

- Flea collars. A flea collar is a perfect anti-flea accessory that a pet can wear around the neck. The collar is medicated and once it is worn, the medication is imbibed by the pet after 24-48 hours and provides some kind of protective shield. Collars are medicated and quite dangerous if used irresponsibly. Allergic reactions should be noted and children should be kept away because the collar contains toxic chemicals.

- Boric acid. Sprinkling boric acid proves to be an effective solution for fleas because the strong acid is a desiccant that dehydrates the flea and kills them. Boric acid may be sprinkled onto the carpets and rubbed on surfaces all over the house. The mechanism of desiccation is likened to the effect that vacuuming has on fleas.

-Spices. The combination of spices such as rosemary, bergamot, eucalyptus, citronella, cedar, geranium and others can create soaps or shampoos. This is most effective when the product is left on the hair for a while before rinsing. When applied to the pet, the lather should be thick enough to trap fleas; and depending on the formulation the fleas could be killed and eliminated.

- Topical solutions. A topical solution may be applied on the back surface of the pet’s body to help get rid of fleas. These are applied once a month and are effective also as a  preventive or treatment measure.

What is true is this: flea eradication can be very expensive but it needs to be done to protect your pets and everyone in the house, as well. In the next chapter you will learn how to prevent outbreaks from being a problem. Through it, you will be saved a lot of time, money and effort by carrying out effective preventive measures instead.

PART 3: Happily Ever After (Living without Fleas)

Flea infestation on your pets is usually brought about by infection from other animals, but they could also obtain them from the environment. Equipped with strong hind legs, the fleas can transfer from one host to another by jumping, so they do not even need wings.

Having good knowledge of effective preventive methods is essential in controlling infestation and avoiding re-infection. It is also valuable when fleas (in various stages) are present in the environment but not yet on your pet. Remember that any female flea can lay hundreds of eggs at a time; by providing exemplary indoor, outdoor and pet preventive measures --- problems with fleas are avoided.

Flea prevention in the house

Inside the house, the following flea prevention techniques could be carried out:

- Make a habit of treating your house with medicated products to control infestations. Carrying out such measures helps to create a safer environment for pets to live in.

- Clean your house thoroughly. Although this is a thing you observe, whether or not you have a pet at home, cleaning the home regularly will mean checking for the presence of fleas and flea eggs or larvae. You can make a habit of targeting the most important areas in the home, the damp and warm areas that fleas typically prefer. Also, check places that your pets frequent in the home, to make sure that these areas are completely safe.

- Vacuum the home. Although this is part of keeping the home clean, making special mention of vacuuming is important because it is the single most effective natural method of preventing flea infestations. Do you know that 100% of fleas that get trapped in a vacuum die? This means that you no longer have to worry about them, once the vacuum deals with them.

- Do not allow your pets on the bed and furniture. The benefits of this preventive measure are not necessarily for the dog but for humans. Whether or not fleas are expected, pets should not be allowed to stay where humans sleep and sit because they can leave fleas around that can hurt humans.

- Make sure to wash your pet’s beddings regularly. Use soapy water and rinse the bedding for at least 15 minutes and then make sure it is properly dried. Making a habit of cleaning the bedding means preparing a perfectly safe environment for your pet. When his “bed” is clean, you save the pet from unwanted flea bites and infections; at the same time, you do not have to trouble yourself of retained fleas that can hurt the human occupants of the house, as well.

Flea prevention in the yard

- Scheduling regular checks of your dog’s kennel, house and other favorite spots outside the house is important if you want to make sure that fleas are not present. Clean them regularly, using products that are of formulations that make them good enough to deal with adult and young fleas.

- Keep wild animals away from the house. You may be diligent at keeping fleas away from your own pets but know that wild animals could also be carriers of fleas. Affording good fences or gates around the house could effectively keep wild animals, such as raccoons, chipmunks and opossums away from the yard.

- Hire exterminators for regular treatment of the outdoors. As a preventive measure, this does not have to be done quite regularly. You can schedule a regular time for this in a quarter or on an annual basis.

Flea prevention and your pet

On your pets, the following preventive measures could be taken:

- Give pets regular flea bath treatments. Fleas thrive on hot and moist areas, and when you do not give your pets regular baths they will be most likely be carriers of fleas. This is especially true for pets living in warmer climates.

- Premedication works to prevent the hatching of eggs. Some medications may be infective to adults but before the fleas are hatched, medications can work wonders. There are medications that can be taken monthly and may be administered by the veterinarian at the right dose. A good preventive measure is to medicate all year round in warm and cold climates.

- Instead of using normal shampoo and soap for your pets, you can use anti-flea products that are medicated enough to keep the fleas away from their bodies. These products are specially formulated so they will be helpful for your pet.

- The wearing of a flea collar is also going to help. Instead of waiting for a flea infestation to strike, you can make a decision to have the animal wear a collar. Collars are medicated and they treat the body of the pet, so that fleas keep away from them. The wearing of a collar is going to be essential during the summer season.

- Using a flea comb is good because the fine teeth of the comb can go through the hairs and catch fleas that are trapped within the skin. During or right after bathing, run the comb while the hair is still wet to check for the presence of fleas.

- Make sure to replace your dog’s beddings every week  to make sure that eggs that are present are not retained there for long. Eggs and larvae can scatter in the beddings, especially the deeper folds so make a habit of washing them regularly.

- Monthly topical products may be administered to your pet if you wish to keep fleas away. These products may be applied by the vet or may be done at home, with instructions and prescription from the doctor.

- To find out what solution is best for your beloved pet, it is best that you consult your pet’s doctor. A veterinarian can prescribe home remedies, over-the-counter medications and all other methods for you to try. They are educated and trained to know what your pet needs, even in winning against flea infestation. With their guidance, your effort to avoid infestation is made more successful.

N.B. If you are living in a warmer climate, you will need to be medicating your pets all year round because fleas are abundant. If you are living in colder places, it is not necessary for you to run treatments all throughout the year, but do so when the climate is warmer.

Preventing flea infections, as with all kinds of illnesses, is still better than any cure or attempt to remedy. Carryout the preventive measures described above and save your pets and everyone in the household, from enduring the misery. Also, it is good to keep in mind that every pet owner should be smart enough to partner with a trusted veterinarian, in order to provide the best defense against fleas. Consult your pet’s doctor, especially when using medicated products.

Other Important Tips

1. If during bathing, combing and house cleaning you locate a living flea, do not attempt to squish it because it will spill blood which is infected. Squishing a flea is going to be your automatic response, but instead of doing that you can dip it in alcohol or flush it down the toilet.

2. When your pet is scratching all the time it causing sores and rashes on the animal. To help relieve your pet, apply apple cider on the infected area or all over, to completely stop the itching. The apple cider will soothe the skin so that it does not feel so dry and irritating for the animal.

3. Not all natural products are safe. In fact, some products contain nightshade and arsenic and while they are natural—they are not safe for use. Do not be quick to patronize a product just because it had the label “natural”. Make sure that you know the ingredients very well so that you can decide for yourself whether something is safe for use or not.

4. Never attempt to use dog flea products on cats and vice versa. Dog flea products come in formulations that are meant for use on dogs only. They contain imidacloprid, fipronil and pyrethrins—cats have high metabolisms so the components of dog flea products will be toxic to them.

Table of Contents

Publisher Copyright

PART 1: Getting to Know the Enemy

All About Fleas

Dangers of Fleas on Pets and Owners

Effects of Infestation

Flea Control

PART 2: Conquering the Problem

How to get rid of fleas in the house

How to get rid of fleas in the yard

How to get rid of fleas on your pet

PART 3: Happily Ever After (Living without Fleas)

Flea prevention in the house

Flea prevention in the yard

Flea prevention and your pet

Other Important Tips