Pet Assessment – Your pet’s behavior and health can offer valuable clues about the infestation’s severity. More importantly when trying to figure out how bad a flea infestation is, pay close attention to the following:

• Excessive scratching, biting, or licking
• Red, irritated skin or hair loss
• Visible fleas or droppings in your pet’s fur

If your pet is showing signs of distress, the infestation may be severe and, in turn, require professional help.

What does a bad flea infestation look like?

Fleas are tiny, reddish-brown insects. They are external parasites and feed off of the blood of birds and mammals. They normally feed on the blood of animals, but they can also feed on the blood of humans. Fleas don’t have wings, but they have flat bodies and strong legs, which allow them to jump long distances.

1. They travel by jumping from one person or animal to another.
2. Your home may become infested with fleas if your pet brings these parasites into your house.
3. Fleas are small and can easily hide in upholstery, so you may not be aware of their presence until a large infestation has occurred.
4. They also have armored bodies that make them almost impossible to crush, allowing them to thrive in your carpet undetected.

Though individual fleas can be difficult to notice, once a flea infestation occurs, you may be able to see multiple fleas hopping onto your furniture or curtains. You might also notice your pets scratching more than usual. You can get fleabites as well if the fleas jump from your pet and onto your body.

• Fleas may hop onto your pet’s fur from another pet or from infested dirt or grass outside.
• When the fleas reproduce, more fleas can infest your home.
• They tend to hide in bedding, furniture, and floor cracks.
• Fleas also like to stay on an animal’s underbelly, so they can easily be transferred to your carpet when your pet lies down.

Fleas live and breed in warm, moist places, so infestations are usually worse in the summer months. While flea activity does slow down in winter months, it doesn’t completely stop. The warmth of your home provides the ideal environment for fleas during the colder months.

fleas hopping on your drapery, carpet, or furnituremultiple dot-like insects in your pet’s furyour pets scratch, lick, or bite their fur excessively

Also, lots of brown and black debris throughout the fur coat can indicate a flea infestation. (This is the flea poop that is left behind after a blood meal.) Your pets can get scabs or lose their fur in the infested area. They may develop pale gums from blood loss.

• Animals infested with fleas are also more susceptible to tapeworms, as some species of tapeworm use fleas as their hosts.
• If you see tapeworms in your pet’s stool, your pet likely has a flea infestation.
• Fleas may jump onto you from your pet and bite you to feed on your blood.
• When a flea bites you, your body releases a chemical called “histamine” as a reaction to the saliva from the flea.

Histamine causes a red, itchy bump to form at the location of the bite. If you scratch it, the bump may get bigger, and the itching will often get worse. Unlike mosquito bites, fleabites on humans are usually located on the lower legs and feet. The bites are characterized by red spots surrounded by red halos.

hives a rash swelling around the bite

Symptoms begin immediately after you’re bitten. No tests are necessary to confirm a fleabite, as they can usually be diagnosed based on an accurate physical examination. However, you may need to take your pet to a veterinarian to be checked and treated for fleas.

intense itchinga rash or hives on various parts of the bodyshortness of breath or wheezingswelling of the face, hands, mouth, or lips

Anaphylaxis can be life threatening if it isn’t treated immediately. You may need to take diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or use an epinephrine injection (EpiPen) if you’re having difficulty breathing. Call 911 or your local emergency services, or go to the emergency room right away if you believe you’re having a severe allergic reaction to a fleabite.

What is considered a heavy flea infestation?

Just One Flea Can Be a Sign of a Problem – If you see just a few fleas on your dog, you may be tempted to think it’s not a big deal. Although the random flea might show up if you’ve just taken your pup for a walk, more than one or two could be a sign of a problem.

1. As few as 20 fleas might mean your pet is infested, while the most could be between 200 to 300.1 Ignoring a few fleas can quickly lead to an infestation on your dog and in your home, 2 because two adult fleas could lead to hundreds of eggs and pupae.
2. Fleas start feeding on blood within minutes of landing on your pet.

Then they mate, and a female can start laying eggs within two days.3 In just four to nine days, she will lay 27 eggs or more each day in your dog’s fur. The eggs can fall off into your carpet and other places. Larvae can hatch from the eggs five to eleven days later, then grow into pupae within tiny cocoons.

How long does it take to get rid of a bad flea infestation?

Getting rid of fleas | CDC Getting rid of fleas is a difficult process due to the long lifecycle of a flea. Moderate to severe infestations will take months to control and require a four-step process for complete elimination:

Sanitation. Thoroughly clean areas where fleas frequently breed. This includes washing bedding, rugs, and pet bedding, and thoroughly vacuuming and sweeping floors and carpeted areas and along the edges of walls. Pet treatment. Every pet in the home must be treated. Thoroughly bathe pets with soap and water, then comb them with a flea comb. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail. Soap will act as a gentle insecticide to kill adult fleas. Talk to your veterinarian about choosing the right flea control product for your pet. Home treatment. Begin home treatment at the same time as pet treatment. This keeps all treatment on the same timeline and helps disrupt the flea life cycle. A licensed commercial pest control applicator can help you determine which products are best for inside your home and in the yard. In general, focus outdoor treatment on shady areas and places where pets spend the most amount of time. Follow-up. Fleas have a complex life cycle. At some stages of their life cycle they are resistant to insecticides and other flea control products. In order to get rid of fleas in all stages of the life cycle, two or more follow-up treatments within 5-10 days after the first application are needed. Additionally, vacuuming and sanitation practices should be ongoing throughout this period to pick up all remaining eggs and juvenile fleas.

: Getting rid of fleas | CDC

Will a flea infestation eventually go away?

Will Fleas Go Away on Their Own? – You might be asking yourself will fleas eventually go away? While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.

How many fleas is a bad infestation?

Maximum Number of Fleas on Pets – It’s theorized that dogs and cats are can support a maximum of 200 to 300 fleas. And, once this population baseline is reached, the fleas begin jumping off the animal. 6 7 8 However, one study refuted this claim, showing that fleas won’t abandon their host even when populations exceeds 300 fleas. 9 Regardless, a burden of over 200 fleas is rare.150 fleas is considered high. 9

Can you get rid of fleas 100%?

You’re not out of the woods yet – When you’re done vacuuming the carpets and throw rugs, turn to the hardwood floors, linoleum and tiles. Then, vacuum furniture, upholstery, cabinets, cushions, pillows and even your bed. If you have a disposable vacuum bag, it’s recommended that you seal it tightly in a garbage bag upon removal, and then throw it out.

• Replace it with a fresh bag.
• Repeat this thorough vacuuming every other day until the flea infestation is gone (typically 10 days to one month).
• For some serious infestations, steam cleaning before vacuuming is necessary.
• The heat will kill almost all of the adult fleas, but may not kill all of the eggs.

Continue to vacuum every other day after the steam cleaning to make sure you are killing fleas as they hatch. Some might still make it to the adult stage. Insecticides are almost always a necessary third step in moderate to severe flea infestations, even after steam cleaning and vacuuming.

Yet even then, most common sprays fail to kill flea pupae, which means you will likely see a few fleas over the next two weeks. Keep vacuuming, as it stimulates the fleas to hatch prematurely, thus exposing their bodies to the residual pesticides. Vacuuming should be enough to control the lingering population as long as you’ve treated your pets.

This is a lot of work, and not as easy or effective as calling a pest management professional.

What’s the worst thing fleas can do?

Other Dangers to Your Pet – Fleas are blood-sucking parasites, and if they continue feasting on cats or dogs for any length of time, the pet may develop anemia, This condition can cause lethargy at the very least and may even cause death in puppies, kittens or older pets.

How do you treat a big flea infestation?

Acting quickly if you notice fleas in your home or on a pet can prevent a severe infestation. Tips for managing fleas include vacuuming and dusting, washing all bedding, using topical flea treatments on pets, and, using EPA-registered insect repellents, and more.

• Fleas are some of the most annoying pests to deal with.
• They’re small, jumpy, and multiply quickly.
• Pets can pick up fleas from being outside in nature, around other animals, or when humans track in the insects on our shoes or clothes.
• Excessive itching and scratching is a telltale sign your pet may have fleas.

You may even spot the little acrobats. On average, fleas are 2-4 millimeters long, making them visible to the naked eye. If your family pet has fleas, it’s likely that your yard and house will become a breeding ground. A flea infestation can test your patience and require persistence.

But you can eradicate the problem with a combination of cleaning methods, sprays, and pet-friendly topical medications among other options. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the life cycle of the flea depends on a lot on environmental conditions. Fleas flourish in warm climates and usually (but not always) die in the winter season.

Flea eggs are small but can be seen if you’re looking closely. They are smooth and white or light in color. A single adult female flea can produce up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. These eggs may be laid in your pet’s fur, deep in the carpet, or in tall grass.

1. In ideal conditions, fleas will evolve from egg to adult within 2 to 3 weeks.
2. Adult fleas can live up to 100 days.
3. Fleas are ready to feed within a day of hatching, and begin to suck blood within 10 seconds of landing on a host.
4. If the weather isn’t ideal and there isn’t a host to feed on, flea larvae may remain dormant for months while waiting for better conditions to develop.

This is a key reason dealing with infestations can be so difficult. The length of time required to get rid of a flea infestation depends on your environment, and how long the fleas have been there. Prompt cleaning and using topical flea medications for your pet may get rid of the majority of fleas within a day or two.

However, it can take days to weeks for all the fleas present in an environment to die, even with the most conscientious approach. Fleas lay a lot of eggs very quickly, and some fleas have developed resistance to medications and insecticides. If you have a large property or multiple pets with fleas, it may take longer to get rid of the problem.

The key to handling fleas is persistence. If your pet is a walking carrier of mature fleas, your home can become the nursery. Since the flea has multiple life stages (egg, larvae, cocoon, adult), when adult fleas are present, it is assumed all of these stages are also present throughout your house.

1. Use a powerful vacuum on any floors, upholstery, and mattresses. Cracks and other tight spaces are usually good hiding places for fleas and their cohort of eggs, larvae, and cocoons. If you can, use a vacuum with a bag you can dispose of without coming into contact with its contents.
2. Employ a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. The combination of high heat and soap is the enemy of fleas in all stages of life. Pay special attention to any spots where your pet usually lies down or spends a lot of time.
3. Wash all bedding, including your pet’s, in hot water and detergent. Dry it at the highest heat setting. If the infestation is severe, consider getting rid of old bedding and starting anew.

The advent of topical flea treatments for pets have made insecticides pretty outdated. Topical prescriptions stop or augment the flea’s reproductive cycle and rapidly kill an infestation. If you do aim to use an insecticide or other chemical cleaning treatment, please proceed with caution. Many are toxic to humans, pets, and the environment. Here are some tips:

• Aerosol sprays are recommended over foggers, as you can direct the spray under beds or other places that the foggers may be unable to reach.
• Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen.
• People and pets shouldn’t come into contact with an insecticide or chemical treatment until it has dried. Be sure to wear gloves when you apply the spray, and only do it when everyone is out of the room or house.

The best way to eliminate fleas from your yard is to think about where they’re most like to hide. Fleas love places that are:

• shaded
• humid
• warm

Direct sun-exposed areas can get too hot, so you probably won’t find many fleas there. Problem areas will likely be found by observing where your pet likes to lie down. Once you have your target zones, here’s what you can do to eliminate the fleas:

1. Mow your lawn regularly and rake the exposed surfaces thoroughly. Fleas like to hide in tall grass. Make sure to bag the contents rather than add them to your compost pile.
2. Remove debris, such as dead leaves and twigs, from flower beds and from under any bushes. Expose as much of the shady areas to sunlight as you can.
3. Spread cedar chips on the areas where your pet likes to lie down, under the bushes, and on flower beds. Fleas hate the smell! Sulphur (powder or liquid) is also known to repel fleas and prevent hatching.
4. Ask your local gardening center about nematodes, small worms that can eat insect larvae.
5. Avoid overwatering. This can create the exact humid conditions for fleas to thrive in.
6. Evict wildlife. Animals like opossum, mice, and squirrels can all carry fleas. It’s possible to repel these animals from your yard without trapping or killing them. The Humane Society recommends “gently harassing” animals to get them to move. This can include setting up barriers in the yard, putting up bright lights, playing loud music, and leaving rags soaked in cider vinegar.

If you know there is a flea infestation on your property, it may be wise to limit your pet’s time playing on the lawn until the problem is under control. For some pets, like cats, it may be advisable to keep them indoors only. If you suspect that your pet has fleas, you should act fast to prevent them from spreading.

1. You may be able to see the insects hopping around on your pet’s fur, but sometimes a closer look is needed.
2. A flea comb may reveal adult fleas or their eggs.
3. Dabbing around with a wet cloth on your pet or its bedding can show flea dirt (flea waste that will appear as bloody specks).
4. A flea infestation usually requires a combination of tactics.

Even if you use a topical flea medication or spray, you still need to continue cleaning. Fleas lay a lot of eggs, and the cycle can start over if you aren’t vigilant.

1. Kill fleas with a topical prescription. The US Food and Drug Administration advises you pay close attention to choosing the right formula, and use it exactly as directed. Topical doses are sorted by pet type, age, and weight. Flea medications like Frontline or Revolution spread quickly between fleas, killing adults and stopping new ones from hatching. Most fleas will be killed within several hours, but it can take days for a topical medication to have full effect.
2. Kill fleas with an oral prescription. While topicals affect fleas directly, oral pills or chewables (like Bravecto and Capstar) get into fleas after they bite your pet.
3. Kill fleas with a pet-safe spray. Flea sprays can kill fleas on contact. Many sprays for the home are not pet-friendly, and could be toxic to animals. Always follow instructions and make sure the area is dry or clear before allowing humans or pets back in the room.
4. Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water every couple of days. Dry bedding on the highest heat setting after each washing. Make sure any cleaning chemicals or soaps used in the process are pet-friendly.
5. Wash your pet using flea shampoo. Ask your vet or local pet store about the best shampoo options for your pet’s size, fur, and skin sensitivity. Many effective pet shampoos contain pyrethrin, an extract derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Shampoos may kill the fleas directly on your pet, but won’t knock out the infestation in the home environment.
6. Use a flea comb. Flea combs are a special comb fine enough to catch fleas while also allowing your pet’s fur to pass through. Have a bowl of warm, soapy water handy to dunk the critters in once you comb them out. Fleas typically reside around the neck and tail areas. Even if you think the problem is handled, continue to comb your pet for a few days to ensure fleas aren’t reoccurring.
7. Regular vet checkups, Vets can field questions about your pet’s risk factors for fleas and other parasites, and recommend preventive care, such as a monthly medication.
8. Let your pet groom itself, Grooming keeps your pets fur and skin healthy! If you notice your pet isn’t grooming normally or its hygiene has worsened, consult your vet.
9. If you prefer natural remedies, make a strong solution by adding two cups of rosemary leaves to hot water. Allow the mixture to cool down and use it to spray, rinse, or soak your pet.

Flea collars can be highly toxic and irritate your pet’s skin. Avoid them when possible! While many vet-approved or prescribed sprays and topicals are considered safe, some pets may still be sensitive to their ingredients. Stop any treatment if you notice that it’s causing irritation to your pet’s skin, or another kind of allergic response.

• Inform your vet if your pet has any known sensitivities to medications or ingredients.
• Going up against a flea infestation can seem overwhelming, but there’s plenty of tools at your disposal.
• You can kill fleas on contact and interrupt their reproductive cycles if you act fast.
• This includes vacuuming and doing laundry at high heat, keeping your yard neat, and treating your pet with a topical anti-flea ointment.

The most important thing to remember is that you must treat your home, yard, and pet at the same time. A combination approach works best to eradicate fleas and prevent future infestations.

What kills fleas in all stages?

On the Pet Flea Prevention – If possible, consult your vet about the health and skin condition of your pet before treatment. Begin flea control treatments on the pet using a mild shampoo Then apply a flea control product containing an IGR to the pet.

• Use flea sprays and shampoos on pets. In warm climate areas, apply pet flea products year-round and consistently.
• Since adult fleas are only 5% of all the flea stages, use an IGR (insect growth regulator) to treat all flea stages. Keep an insect growth regulator in place in warm climate areas. IGRs break down more quickly outside than inside.
• Wash pet bedding and accessories.
• Thoroughly vacuum floors, carpets, and furniture; dispose of vacuum bags immediately outdoors.

How long before all fleas are gone?

It can take up to 3 months to fully resolve a flea infestation (or even longer in some cases) – see ‘What is the best way to resolve a home infestation?’ for advice on eradicating a flea problem as quickly as possible.

Will fleas go away in winter?

Fleas Don’t Die Easily in the Winter – Fleas are more likely to die if temperatures hit freezing and stay there for a while.1 But even then, that’s not always enough. You can’t depend on fleas dying in the winter, even if they’re outdoors. The flea’s life cycle helps it survive.

1. A female flea can start laying eggs within 24 to 36 hours of biting your pet, and they can lay up to 10,000 eggs in 30 days,
2. These eggs can then end up in the carpet or other areas in your home.
3. Flea larvae form a cocoon and grow within it as pupae, sometimes staying in a cocoon for up to 30 weeks before emerging as an adult flea.

The cold can slow down a flea’s life cycle, but they can still hatch in the winter.2 Even if temperatures hit freezing long enough to kill the adults, those fleas may have already found a warmer place to lay their eggs.

Can fleas live after pet is gone?

Can Fleas Live in a House with No Pets? While people with pets are consistently worrying about fleas, people without pets should be on the lookout for these pests as well. Fleas are not just a pet-people problem. Even without animals living in your home, fleas can live in your carpet and other fabrics for a while. But, how long will fleas live in a house without pets?

Are humans hosts for fleas?

Can Fleas Live on Humans? – The short answer is that fleas may bite people, but they won’t live on you. Fleas will seek out your dog or cat as their preferred host. If you see fleas in your pet’s fur, it’s only natural to wonder if fleas can live in human hair, too.

• The good news is that scientific research shows that humans’ relatively hairless bodies don’t make great hiding places for fleas.
• People are difficult for fleas to attach to and don’t provide enough heat for them to breed or survive long term.
• So, if you’re the only food source around, fleas are unable to complete their life cycle and multiply.

The dark, moist environment of a dog’s or cat’s fur, however, makes a great place for fleas to live and breed. Keep in mind that fleas will often stay on our skin and inside our clothes in the short term, using us as a “carrier” while waiting for a more suitable host, like your cat or dog.

How quickly can fleas infest a house?

How Long Do Fleas Live in Your House? – The challenge is that fleas can lay eggs on their pets bedding and fur. Subsequently, these eggs will fall onto the floor and the furniture to spread like wildfire. It doesn’t take much fleas before it becomes a serious infestation problem.

1. In just a couple of months, fleas can lay about 500 eggs.
2. Between one and twelve days, many of these hatchlings are hidden.
3. They are tiny larvae that fide in tiny floor cracks, carpets and furniture.
4. Flea larvae may only take about one to two weeks before maturing, however with humid and heat weather conditions, it can take up to six months for this larval stage.

From there, these larvaes will be in insecticide-resistant cocoons for about five weeks. But it’s also possible for larvaes to hang inside of their cocoons for a long time until they sense a potential host come by. Typically flea infestations can also happen when a home hasn’t been occupied in a long time and the owners finally return home.

Or when new owners take on a home that hasn’t been used in a while. Fleas typically thirst on blood as their diet and the females need to be fed in order to lay eggs. Fleas may not last as long under heat. If they don’t have blood in two to five days, they can also die. With heavy heat, they can only survive between one month and a year.

Most fleas can only survive two months without eating.However, you still may notice fleas after the treatment is complete. This doesn’t mean that the treatment didn’t work. The remaining fleas can be a result of newly-hatched adults that were inside of a cocoon when you first did the treatment.

What kills fleas instantly in house?

4. Use heat from a steam cleaner – The amount of items you can clean with a steamer could surprise you. While the appliance might be a favorite for cleaning up floors, it can be a great solution for getting rid of fleas inside the house. To preserve the life of your mattress and kill fleas, vacuum it first, then apply steam, allowing the mattress to dry fully afterwards. (Image credit: Ian Shaw / Alamy Stock Photo)

Does flea dirt mean an infestation?

Flea Dirt but No Fleas? – While fleas themselves are visible to the naked eye, you’ll probably be able to see signs of flea dirt before you actually catch one of the jumpy little pests in the act. Adult fleas are tiny—about one-eighth-inch long, and move so quickly that they’re hard to spot.

But flea dirt shows up as tiny black spots against the skin, so it’s possible to find flea dirt even if you never see an actual flea. “You can see flea dirt without seeing fleas, but if your pet is itching with redness or irritation noted around the tail or hind end, or around the neck, it is highly likely your pet could be dealing with fleas,” Dr.

Howe says. So even if you only find flea dirt on your pet but no fleas themselves, it could mean you’ve just caught the infestation early. You should still treat your pet immediately for fleas since flea dirt is an obvious sign of flea activity as the digested blood from the parasites feed on your pet.

What kills fleas in 30 minutes?

What is Nitenpyram – The closest pet owners can get to immediate flea relief is by treating their pets with Nitenpyram, Common brands of Nitenpyram include Capstar® and Bestguard® which can be purchased through a veterinarian, online, and over the counter. The active ingredient, Nitenpyram, is an insecticide that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes and lasts for up to 48 hours.

What temperature kills fleas?

As Temperatures Decrease, Do Fleas Remain an Issue? As the summer comes to a close, you may be wondering if you still need to worry about fleas. Many may think that the summer months are the worst time of the year when it comes to flea infestations, but in fact, flea season continues in full force beyond that and into the late fall months.

1. Flea season starts in May and runs all the way into the winter when temperatures begins to drop below freezing.
2. The worst time of the year is during late summer to late fall, from September through November.
3. At What Temperature and How Quickly Do Fleas Die? Adult fleas die at temperatures colder than 46.4°F (8°C) and hotter than 95°F (35°C).

Immature fleas, which refers to both flea eggs and larvae, are slightly more susceptible to the cold, dying at temperatures below 55.4°F (13°C). At temperatures below freezing, adult fleas will die even quicker: they will die within 5 days of exposure at temperatures of 30.2°F (-1°C).

The lifespan of an adult flea nearly doubles with just around a 7°F increase in temperatures compared to those at freezing temperatures, with a 10-day survival span at 37.4°F (3°C). A flea’s life span doubles with another increase in temperature of around 10°F, as nearly half of emerged adult fleas will survive for 20 days when temperatures exceed 46.4°F (8°C).

On the other end of the spectrum, fleas will die within two days when temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C), with some exceptions dependent on relative humidity. During the hot summer months, fleas can’t survive outdoors if the temperature exceeds 95°F for more than 40 hours per month even if the average temperature during that month is much cooler.

Exceptions While most fleas will die at rates according to the previous statistics, there are several exceptions to the survival rate based on a few factors. Even in freezing temperatures, fleas can remain in a dormant state tucked away in pet’s fur or other warmer places during the cold winter months, waiting for the flea season cycle to begin again in the late spring.Humidity also plays a factor in survival, as even in typically lethal temperatures, relative humidity above 75% can extend the life span of adult fleas.

When considering the duration of flea season, it is important to understand your own climate based on your geographic location, as a much warmer southern climates will allow for flea survival even throughout typically cold winter months, and colder climates will have a much narrower window of survival throughout the year.

Conversely, extremely hot climates will not allow for the survival of fleas during the hotter summer months, so it is important to understand the nature of your local climate and how the typical range of flea season can vary from place to place. If fleas are problem in your area, learn more about how to protect your home, pets, clothing, and more against infestations with an all-nature pest killer from,

Visit our for product information and to find a retailer online or near you. : As Temperatures Decrease, Do Fleas Remain an Issue?

How often should you spray your house for fleas?

Answer: – For flea control, we recommend retreatment with insecticides such as Permethrin SFR every 14 days until you have no more signs of fleas. Most successful flea treatment programs require at least 2-3 treatments at 14-day intervals using both an insecticide for the adult fleas and an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to prevent immature stages of fleas from developing into breeding adults.

You will not be able to make just one insecticide application for fleas and never see them again, especially if you did not use an IGR in your treatment. Fleas multiply very quickly, and they have an immature stage that is protected from insecticide, so new fleas will continue to emerge after you have treated.

Be sure, also, that you are vacuuming every day or every other day to help pick up adult fleas, flea dirt, and eggs, and also to stimulate those immature fleas so the adults will emerge and be exposed to the insecticide you have put down. We have more tips and details in our Flea Treatment Guide here,

What happens if you don’t treat a flea infestation?

Flea Transmitted Diseases –

Condition: Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) Some dogs are severely allergic to flea saliva and can experience extreme discomfort even from a single flea bite. Common FAD symptoms include excessive scratching, licking or biting around the tail, groin, or backside. Scabs or bumps may develop on the neck or back. Some dogs will chew or rip out their hair or fur until the area is bare. Unchecked, FAD can cause painful sores and bacterial skin infections, or “hotspots” characterized by red, raw, and inflamed skin. Treatment: Don’t wait. Your vet can diagnose a flea allergy with a simple intradermal skin test. If your dog tests positive, she may need medication to control the scratching and chewing until you can begin a flea control program or complete pest management system, Severe cases of FAD may require intermittent use of prescription medications during very hot and humid weather when fleas are at their peak. Condition: Flea-Bite Anemia Just like a person, your dog relies on a certain number of red blood cells in her body to keep her healthy and energetic. And, like you, she can become anemic from too much blood loss. Any dog can develop Flea-Bite Anemia, but some dogs are more susceptible; small dogs and puppies have smaller blood volumes than larger dogs. Elderly and sick dogs can’t manufacture blood cells as quickly as healthy dogs. A single flea can bite your dog hundreds of times per day. In a short time, even a mild infestation can have serious consequences. Very severe cases can be fatal. If your dog shows symptoms of lethargy, weakness, or pale gums, see your vet right away. Treatment: Your vet will rid your dog of fleas and provide supportive measures to restore her health. Dogs who are very anemic may receive blood transfusions and intensive care. With quick intervention, most dogs make a full recovery. A proactive flea control program is the best way to keep your dog healthy. Condition: Tapeworms Fleas can transmit a tapeworm infection to your dog if she ingests a flea containing tapeworm eggs. Inside your dog’s digestive tract, the tapeworm egg matures into an adult tapeworm with a segmented body that can grow to several feet. The tapeworm hooks onto the lining of your dog’s small intestine and absorbs nutrients as they pass through her digestive tract. Tapeworms can cause nutritional deficiency, weight loss, and debilitation for your dog. Symptoms include increased appetite and fatigue; a serious infection may be accompanied by chronic diarrhea or constipation. Examine your dog’s stool if you suspect a problem. Tapeworms will appear as small white “worms” or grains of rice. If you suspect your dog already has tapeworm, see your vet for an evaluation and bring a stool sample for testing. Treatment: Your vet can provide you with medication if your dog is diagnosed with tapeworms.

How do you treat a big flea infestation?

Acting quickly if you notice fleas in your home or on a pet can prevent a severe infestation. Tips for managing fleas include vacuuming and dusting, washing all bedding, using topical flea treatments on pets, and, using EPA-registered insect repellents, and more.

Fleas are some of the most annoying pests to deal with. They’re small, jumpy, and multiply quickly. Pets can pick up fleas from being outside in nature, around other animals, or when humans track in the insects on our shoes or clothes. Excessive itching and scratching is a telltale sign your pet may have fleas.

You may even spot the little acrobats. On average, fleas are 2-4 millimeters long, making them visible to the naked eye. If your family pet has fleas, it’s likely that your yard and house will become a breeding ground. A flea infestation can test your patience and require persistence.

1. But you can eradicate the problem with a combination of cleaning methods, sprays, and pet-friendly topical medications among other options.
2. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the life cycle of the flea depends on a lot on environmental conditions.
3. Fleas flourish in warm climates and usually (but not always) die in the winter season.

Flea eggs are small but can be seen if you’re looking closely. They are smooth and white or light in color. A single adult female flea can produce up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. These eggs may be laid in your pet’s fur, deep in the carpet, or in tall grass.

In ideal conditions, fleas will evolve from egg to adult within 2 to 3 weeks. Adult fleas can live up to 100 days. Fleas are ready to feed within a day of hatching, and begin to suck blood within 10 seconds of landing on a host. If the weather isn’t ideal and there isn’t a host to feed on, flea larvae may remain dormant for months while waiting for better conditions to develop.

This is a key reason dealing with infestations can be so difficult. The length of time required to get rid of a flea infestation depends on your environment, and how long the fleas have been there. Prompt cleaning and using topical flea medications for your pet may get rid of the majority of fleas within a day or two.

• However, it can take days to weeks for all the fleas present in an environment to die, even with the most conscientious approach.
• Fleas lay a lot of eggs very quickly, and some fleas have developed resistance to medications and insecticides.
• If you have a large property or multiple pets with fleas, it may take longer to get rid of the problem.

The key to handling fleas is persistence. If your pet is a walking carrier of mature fleas, your home can become the nursery. Since the flea has multiple life stages (egg, larvae, cocoon, adult), when adult fleas are present, it is assumed all of these stages are also present throughout your house.

1. Use a powerful vacuum on any floors, upholstery, and mattresses. Cracks and other tight spaces are usually good hiding places for fleas and their cohort of eggs, larvae, and cocoons. If you can, use a vacuum with a bag you can dispose of without coming into contact with its contents.
2. Employ a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. The combination of high heat and soap is the enemy of fleas in all stages of life. Pay special attention to any spots where your pet usually lies down or spends a lot of time.
3. Wash all bedding, including your pet’s, in hot water and detergent. Dry it at the highest heat setting. If the infestation is severe, consider getting rid of old bedding and starting anew.

The advent of topical flea treatments for pets have made insecticides pretty outdated. Topical prescriptions stop or augment the flea’s reproductive cycle and rapidly kill an infestation. If you do aim to use an insecticide or other chemical cleaning treatment, please proceed with caution. Many are toxic to humans, pets, and the environment. Here are some tips:

• Aerosol sprays are recommended over foggers, as you can direct the spray under beds or other places that the foggers may be unable to reach.
• Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen.
• People and pets shouldn’t come into contact with an insecticide or chemical treatment until it has dried. Be sure to wear gloves when you apply the spray, and only do it when everyone is out of the room or house.

The best way to eliminate fleas from your yard is to think about where they’re most like to hide. Fleas love places that are:

• shaded
• humid
• warm

Direct sun-exposed areas can get too hot, so you probably won’t find many fleas there. Problem areas will likely be found by observing where your pet likes to lie down. Once you have your target zones, here’s what you can do to eliminate the fleas:

1. Mow your lawn regularly and rake the exposed surfaces thoroughly. Fleas like to hide in tall grass. Make sure to bag the contents rather than add them to your compost pile.
2. Remove debris, such as dead leaves and twigs, from flower beds and from under any bushes. Expose as much of the shady areas to sunlight as you can.
3. Spread cedar chips on the areas where your pet likes to lie down, under the bushes, and on flower beds. Fleas hate the smell! Sulphur (powder or liquid) is also known to repel fleas and prevent hatching.
4. Ask your local gardening center about nematodes, small worms that can eat insect larvae.
5. Avoid overwatering. This can create the exact humid conditions for fleas to thrive in.
6. Evict wildlife. Animals like opossum, mice, and squirrels can all carry fleas. It’s possible to repel these animals from your yard without trapping or killing them. The Humane Society recommends “gently harassing” animals to get them to move. This can include setting up barriers in the yard, putting up bright lights, playing loud music, and leaving rags soaked in cider vinegar.

If you know there is a flea infestation on your property, it may be wise to limit your pet’s time playing on the lawn until the problem is under control. For some pets, like cats, it may be advisable to keep them indoors only. If you suspect that your pet has fleas, you should act fast to prevent them from spreading.

1. You may be able to see the insects hopping around on your pet’s fur, but sometimes a closer look is needed.
2. A flea comb may reveal adult fleas or their eggs.
3. Dabbing around with a wet cloth on your pet or its bedding can show flea dirt (flea waste that will appear as bloody specks).
4. A flea infestation usually requires a combination of tactics.

Even if you use a topical flea medication or spray, you still need to continue cleaning. Fleas lay a lot of eggs, and the cycle can start over if you aren’t vigilant.

1. Kill fleas with a topical prescription. The US Food and Drug Administration advises you pay close attention to choosing the right formula, and use it exactly as directed. Topical doses are sorted by pet type, age, and weight. Flea medications like Frontline or Revolution spread quickly between fleas, killing adults and stopping new ones from hatching. Most fleas will be killed within several hours, but it can take days for a topical medication to have full effect.
2. Kill fleas with an oral prescription. While topicals affect fleas directly, oral pills or chewables (like Bravecto and Capstar) get into fleas after they bite your pet.
3. Kill fleas with a pet-safe spray. Flea sprays can kill fleas on contact. Many sprays for the home are not pet-friendly, and could be toxic to animals. Always follow instructions and make sure the area is dry or clear before allowing humans or pets back in the room.
4. Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water every couple of days. Dry bedding on the highest heat setting after each washing. Make sure any cleaning chemicals or soaps used in the process are pet-friendly.
5. Wash your pet using flea shampoo. Ask your vet or local pet store about the best shampoo options for your pet’s size, fur, and skin sensitivity. Many effective pet shampoos contain pyrethrin, an extract derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Shampoos may kill the fleas directly on your pet, but won’t knock out the infestation in the home environment.
6. Use a flea comb. Flea combs are a special comb fine enough to catch fleas while also allowing your pet’s fur to pass through. Have a bowl of warm, soapy water handy to dunk the critters in once you comb them out. Fleas typically reside around the neck and tail areas. Even if you think the problem is handled, continue to comb your pet for a few days to ensure fleas aren’t reoccurring.
7. Regular vet checkups, Vets can field questions about your pet’s risk factors for fleas and other parasites, and recommend preventive care, such as a monthly medication.
8. Let your pet groom itself, Grooming keeps your pets fur and skin healthy! If you notice your pet isn’t grooming normally or its hygiene has worsened, consult your vet.
9. If you prefer natural remedies, make a strong solution by adding two cups of rosemary leaves to hot water. Allow the mixture to cool down and use it to spray, rinse, or soak your pet.

Flea collars can be highly toxic and irritate your pet’s skin. Avoid them when possible! While many vet-approved or prescribed sprays and topicals are considered safe, some pets may still be sensitive to their ingredients. Stop any treatment if you notice that it’s causing irritation to your pet’s skin, or another kind of allergic response.

1. Inform your vet if your pet has any known sensitivities to medications or ingredients.
2. Going up against a flea infestation can seem overwhelming, but there’s plenty of tools at your disposal.
3. You can kill fleas on contact and interrupt their reproductive cycles if you act fast.
4. This includes vacuuming and doing laundry at high heat, keeping your yard neat, and treating your pet with a topical anti-flea ointment.

The most important thing to remember is that you must treat your home, yard, and pet at the same time. A combination approach works best to eradicate fleas and prevent future infestations.

How do you treat a major flea infestation?

You’re not out of the woods yet – When you’re done vacuuming the carpets and throw rugs, turn to the hardwood floors, linoleum and tiles. Then, vacuum furniture, upholstery, cabinets, cushions, pillows and even your bed. If you have a disposable vacuum bag, it’s recommended that you seal it tightly in a garbage bag upon removal, and then throw it out.

• Replace it with a fresh bag.
• Repeat this thorough vacuuming every other day until the flea infestation is gone (typically 10 days to one month).
• For some serious infestations, steam cleaning before vacuuming is necessary.
• The heat will kill almost all of the adult fleas, but may not kill all of the eggs.

Continue to vacuum every other day after the steam cleaning to make sure you are killing fleas as they hatch. Some might still make it to the adult stage. Insecticides are almost always a necessary third step in moderate to severe flea infestations, even after steam cleaning and vacuuming.

• Yet even then, most common sprays fail to kill flea pupae, which means you will likely see a few fleas over the next two weeks.
• Eep vacuuming, as it stimulates the fleas to hatch prematurely, thus exposing their bodies to the residual pesticides.
• Vacuuming should be enough to control the lingering population as long as you’ve treated your pets.

This is a lot of work, and not as easy or effective as calling a pest management professional.