Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.
Pause
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.
Pause.
*Heavy Sigh*
Poor fella. He's got to be miserable! They're driving him nuts! Truth be told, the thump, thump, thumping is driving you a bit nuts, too. You've, obviously, let things get a bit out of control. 😩
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch...
*Heavy Sigh*
This time, the sigh you hear escaping is your own. 😐
Fleas! What a pain! A female flea can lay up to 5,000 eggs during it's lifetime. During optimal conditions, that is only 100 days! 😭
They thrive in hot, humid conditions. And, as if the battle through the sticky, icky days of summer isn't enough, the season doesn't end until a hard freeze! Not only are they a huge nuisance (Scratch. Scratch. Scratch...), they can carry diseases that can be transferred to you and your pet! Who needs that? 😲
But, take heart! Have you heard that old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" It, definitely, applies here. 😏
Treat Your Pet
• There are a number of great once-a-month treatments out there! Both, topical and edible. Some even take care of ticks! If you are unsure which way to go, your vet can point you in the right direction.
Not a fan of chemicals and insecticides? Me, either! A quick search on Brewer's Yeast may have you giving it a try. Testimonials galore! The dosage is per weight and it's merely a matter of getting into the habit of sprinkling the yeast on your dog's food each day.
Outside Your Home
Keep your grass cut and yard weed free. Fleas like damp, shaded areas, if you can't get them exposed to some sun, try and keep your pet away from them.
And, did you know fleas don't like cedar chips or banana peels? Me, either! Place one banana peel per every 10 feet throughout your yard. When the peels turn black, decide if you need to repeat.
Inside Your Home
Vacuuming goes a long way in keeping fleas at bay!
Wash bedding, frequently, in hot water.
You can, also, run bedding through a hot dryer cycle for 15 minutes to kill fleas, larva and eggs.
But, if the invasion has begun, you will win the war!
Rid Your Home Of Fleas
For a one shot quick fix, contact an exterminator. Or, if you aren't a fan of chemicals and insecticides...
Sprinkle salt or baking soda on carpets and scuff it in with a scrub brush. (That sounds like a lot of work, though. And, if the little buggers are jumping all over you... Ewww. I might be tempted to put on some music and create an odd little shuffling dance so I could scuff with my shoes!) Let it sit for a couple of hours to dry the eggs out. Vacuum.
Vacuum seat cushions and under furniture.
Dispose of vacuum contents in a sealed, airtight bag outside.
Make an all natural flea repellant spray. It's not hard and judging by the ingredients, most of them smell great! Choose from several here.
Use a dehumidifier. Keeping the humidity in the room below 50% for a couple of days will kill adult fleas and larva. It, also, prevents eggs from hatching.
Fill a shallow bowl with water. Add enough dish soap to color the water. Place the bowl under the furniture. Fleas jump in and drown. They really do! I don't know that they are attracted to the water. But if they don't, their random jumping brings many to their doom. You will be surprised how many you find floating in your bowl.
It takes a bit of dedication, but whether the fleas have taken hold and you are waging war or your plan of attack is preventative maintenance, Sic'em!
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch...
*Grabbing the salt and clicking on the tunes.*
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be over here getting my scuff on. And, I might eat a banana. 😉
See you next time,
C
Flea Photo Courtesy FreeDigitalImage.com