Fleas In The Apartment: Where And How To Get Rid Of Their Appearance In The House Quickly And Efficiently Using Dichlorvos, Wormwood And Other Means + Video

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

We send out uninvited guests or how to quickly get rid of fleas in a house or apartment

Fleas can make the life of entire families unbearable, discouraging even going into their own house or apartment. However, there are effective ways to drive bloodsucking jumpers out of your home once and for all. Where do they come from and how to get rid of them quickly?

Content

• 1 Where insects can appear in the apartment
• 2 Types of fleas that appear indoors
• 3 Why are fleas dangerous to humans and where they hide
• 4 Effective means of fighting blood-sucking insects

• 5 Destruction of small parasites in pets

  • 5.1 Veterinarian's advice: drugs that can be used to kill fleas - video
  • 5.2 How to rid a pet of insects using folk methods

• 6 How to quickly and permanently rid the room of jumping parasites

  6.1 Which chemical method is better: concentrated insecticides, sprays or aerosols

• 7 How can you independently remove indoor insects

  7.1 Wormwood, garlic and other fragrant products in the photo

• 8 Mechanical methods for removing flea beetles: floor and carpet treatment

  • 8.1 How to get insects off a sofa, upholstered furniture or clothing
  • 8.2 Household methods of dealing with fleas - video

• 9 The most reliable way to kill insects is professional pest control

  9.1 How to get rid of fleas in an apartment building - video

• 10 What to do after killing insects
• 11 Reviews on what means you can defeat the invasion of insects and completely eliminate them

Where insects can appear in the apartment

"From cats, dogs, hamsters and other animals!" - readers will be quick to answer. But in fact, they can start from completely different reasons. There are much more ways for fleas to enter the house:

• from the basement (insects can cover long distances due to their jumping ability);
• from the street on a man's shoes;
• from neighbors.

Fleas are very mobile insects, so you can even bring them into the house on shoes.

Due to the fact that fleas are very fertile, for a full-fledged fight against parasites, sometimes it is not enough to treat one apartment. It is necessary to poison intruders throughout the house. It is especially important to thoroughly clean the basement.

Indoor flea species

In order to correctly build a strategy for dealing with any insects, you need to make sure which parasites are overwhelming you. As for fleas, they are easy to identify by their appearance:

• brown-black or wheat-golden color;
• size up to 1.5 mm;
• body slightly flattened at the sides with spikes that allow easy grasping of the surface;
• three pairs of legs (the back one for jumping is several times larger than the flea itself).

Having identified the source of fleas, we can talk about what kind of insect it is.

Of the more than 500 species of jumpers, 30 most often visit a person, each of which is equally hazardous to health. Among them, the most common:

• feline (animal-borne);
• basement or earthen (they like dust, do not differ in special jumping ability, live in carpets, on the floor);
• grass or field (the most common, transferred to animal hair);
• mouse, rat (get started if rodents live in the basement);
• black or woody (they enter the house from the personal plot where they live in cabbage);
• sandy (street variety up to 1 mm long, found in houses quite rarely).

In everyday life, you can find the name of another type of fleas - "bed". In fact, these are fictions: mice, rats or any other insects in search of food settle in the folds of the blanket, the seams of mattresses and pillows, choosing a temporary habitat for themselves until the search for the next victim.

And also you need to distinguish fleas from lice and bedbugs that can live on the bed.

1. Unlike bugs, fleas jump quickly, are active at any time of the day, and not only at night.
2. Jumping insects bite primarily on places with thin skin (armpits, area under the knee, upper part of the foot), while bugs attack the entire human body.
3. Lice live only on the skin under the hairline.

Why fleas are dangerous to humans and where do they hide

Blood-sucking insects can cause tremendous harm to health. Having drunk enough blood of one person, the flea immediately begins to look for a new victim. So insects can carry various diseases:

• infections (including hepatitis B and C, typhoid, encephalitis, etc.);
• eggs of parasites (for example, helminths);
• fatal diseases (anthrax, plague, etc.)

Fleas carry up to 400 different diseases

In addition, fleas are dangerous for young children; after their bites, a very strong allergic reaction can occur.

Pet owners are probably now gripped by horror: after all, most furry pets have fleas and are at risk of infection. In fact, some species of insects that "live" on four-legged friends do not bite humans. And nevertheless, you need to get rid of them.

Flea bites are similar to mosquito bites, but without a blood spot in the middle. Most often, they are located on the skin in a straight line and disappear in 3-4 days. If you notice such traces or find the fleas themselves, then it's time to get down to active baiting.

Flea bites are arranged in a chain

To determine if there are fleas in your home, lay out white sheets of paper in the jumpers' favorite spots:

• near carpets;
• at the baseboards;
• on the bed;
• on soft toys;
• by the kitchen sink;
• in the habitats of pets.

If you have unwanted pins, then after 1–2 days you will find black dots on the sheets.

Effective means of fighting blood-sucking insects

The destruction of parasites requires not only time, but also ingenuity in the choice of means. Some substances used for bullying can be dangerous to humans and pets.

1. Flea control should be started by treating the animal's body. Their insects bite more often and harder, while your furry lodgers automatically become parasite carriers.
2. If there are no pets in the house, and there are more and more fleas, then you need to establish the source of infection (perhaps insects migrate to you from neighbors or from the entrance, basement) and start disinfecting it.

Destruction of small parasites in pets

Strong-minded flea pet owners may find that the best way to get rid of pesky parasites is to remove their food source. This is a misconception. The peculiarity of blood-sucking insects is such that they can live for several weeks without their food.

If there are four-legged pets in the house, then first the fleas must be eradicated from them

The fight should begin immediately after you spot the uninvited jumping guests. The most effective anti-flea remedies for pets are special drops. For example, Stronghold, Frontline, Hartz, Celandine, Bars, Blohnet. Veterinarians recommend applying them 1–1.5 weeks after the last bath of the animal.

1. Comb the animal's fur thoroughly.
2. Apply a few drops of the product (as many as written in the instructions).

Drops are considered very aggressive and are therefore not recommended for some breeds of dogs or cats. An alternative to these products is shampoos or sprays. They are used every 2-3 weeks.

After the active phase of the struggle, put on an antiparasitic collar soaked in a special insecticide on the animal. Its scent repels fleas. Ornamental rodents should be sprayed regularly.

Veterinarian tips: drugs that can poison fleas - video

How to rid a pet of insects using folk methods

If your pet is very miniature or its breed does not involve the fight against fleas with chemicals, then you should pay attention to folk remedies. You can save pets from insects with the help of aromatic herbs:

• pour 200 g of rosemary leaves with a liter of cold water;
• boil for half an hour, strain and dilute with 3 liters of warm water;
• pour the solution over the animal, let it shake off.

A good deterrent is lemon tincture:

• cut 1 lemon into thin slices, cover with water and bring to a boil;
• set aside for 12 hours;
• Spray the decoction with a spray bottle on your pet's coat once a month.

Plants with a pungent smell (wormwood, rosemary) repel fleas

And also a decoction of wormwood helps to remove fleas:

• Pour 100 g of dry grass with 2 liters of water;
• boil for 20 minutes;
• rinse your pet;
• let it dry.

How to quickly and permanently rid a room of jumping parasites

To eliminate the invasion of household indoor fleas, proceed in order.

1. Treat all fabric items: toys, slippers, pillows, towels, curtains, etc. To do this, shake them well, hang them out in the sun, wash at high temperatures (over 50 degrees), or treat with a steam generator.
2. Clean all surfaces with a vacuum cleaner, then rinse.
3. Carry out pest control with special means.
4. Then close the windows and leave the house for 3-4 hours.
5. When you return, ventilate the room and do a wet cleaning.

Don't forget to craft all textile toys in the house

Which chemical method is better: concentrated insecticides, sprays or aerosols

Insecticides (for example, "Zone", "Cucaracha", "Medilis", "Tsiper", "Tetrix", etc.) have a pungent odor and a poisonous composition that repels and completely destroys fleas.

1. Dilute the product with water according to the instructions.
2. Use a spray gun to treat your home, upholstered furniture, bedding, beds, carpets.
3. Soak the product on the surface (the exact time is indicated in the instructions for the preparation).
4. Thoroughly wash floors and ventilate rooms after use.

For an effective result, one application is enough, but all people and animals will have to be removed from the house for a couple of days.

It is imperative to work with chemicals with gloves.

There are insecticides of the same series, but without a strong odor: Get, "Delta Zone", etc.

The most famous spray for all residents of the post-Soviet space is dichlorvos. Its action is based on the ability of the active substance to paralyze the insect's nervous system.

1. Spray Dichlorvos on the floor, cabinets, shelves, etc., as well as in all hard-to-reach places (under cabinets, washstands).
2. Close the room hermetically and go outside.
3. After a few hours, ventilate the home.
4. After wet cleaning, you can return to your usual life.

In the modern market of aerosols for disinsection "Dichlorvos", even with the prefixes "Neo" or "Ultra", gives way to stronger means. Among the most effective are "Kombat", "Raptor", "Raid". These preparations are convenient because they have a pleasant smell, are used to treat sofas, beds, carpets, and do not require isolation of animals and people.

Disinsection with special sprays is considered the most effective way to get rid of fleas

How can you remove indoor insects yourself

One of the unusual but effective ways to get rid of insects in the house is freezing.

1. Leave all windows open for 2-3 hours during cold weather.
2. Do a general cleaning.

The first stage will freeze all adult fleas, and after the second - cleaning - the larvae will also die. In this case, the temperature should be below 0 (however, some researchers argue that flea larvae are able to remain viable at temperatures down to minus 15 degrees). By the way, parasites are also afraid of high temperatures. Only the temperature above 50 degrees is effective.

In addition to high and low temperatures, fleas are very sensitive to odors. Folk remedies based on herbs or essential oils help to eliminate parasites:

• sagebrush. Wormwood infusion (100 g of grass per 1.5 l of water), wash the floor, and place the bundles of grass in the corners of the rooms. And you can also fill mattresses, beddings for pets with grass. Sawdust of coniferous trees is also suitable for these purposes;
• garlic. It is enough to spread the chopped garlic around the house for the fleas to disappear. Or mix brewer's yeast diluted in water with garlic passed through a press and rub the baseboards, floor and other surfaces;
• celandine and tansy. Take herbs in equal proportions, pour boiling water over. After 12 hours, spray the apartment with infusion from a spray bottle;
• a mixture of three herbs. Mix wormwood, tansy and eucalyptus in a 1: 1: 2 ratio, pour a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 10 hours. Pour into a spray bottle, treat the room. To maintain the effect, you can make a sachet from this herbal mixture;
• ammonia or bleach. Dilute a few drops in 500 ml of water and wash the floor with the solution;
• a mixture of 3% vinegar, floral cologne and camphor in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. Treat skirting boards, crevices and carpets with it;
• essential oils (orange, eucalyptus). Add them to water for cleaning floors.

The only drawback with this method is that the smells only work on adult fleas. They do not get rid of the larvae, which in just a few days will fill the ranks of the escaped relatives.

Wormwood, garlic and other fragrant products in the photo

Sagebrush

Garlic

Tansy

Celandine

Ammonia

Mechanical methods for eliminating flea beetles: floor and carpet treatment

The best way to get fleas off your carpet is to sprinkle a desiccant on it. For example, salt or a mixture of salt and soda. Crystals of these substances attach to the flea and, when rubbed, cause bleeding, from which it dies. After 1–1.5 weeks, the salt should be vacuumed, the bag of dust should be carefully tied up and immediately taken out of the house. You will have to repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

High pile floors and carpets must be carefully treated to keep fleas away

You can also use diatomaceous earth, a mountain flour (available from your hardware store or florist). The advantage of this method is that the diatomite powder is not dangerous and edible, that is, pets will not be hurt, even if they are full of funds.

How to get insects off a sofa, upholstered furniture, or clothing

Fleas often inhabit furniture or clothing that is kept in a closet. Any dishwashing detergent will help destroy them.

1. Apply foam gel on a wet sofa.
2. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rinse off the foam thoroughly.
4. Dry the surface with a cotton cloth or hair dryer.
5. Remove dead fleas.

Experienced housewives use brewer's yeast to handle furniture and carpets, their smell scares away and drives away fleas.

1. Rub brewer's or nutritional yeast into your carpet or upholstered furniture.
2. After 5-10 minutes, wash off with warm water.
3. Vacuum the surface after drying.

If insects have chosen to live in old clothes or bedding, soak them in diluted dishwashing gel, then wash at a high temperature.

Household methods of dealing with fleas - video

The most reliable way to kill insects is professional pest control

If fleas overpowered the tenants of an apartment building, then independent attempts to get rid of them will not work: after a while, insects will again flood the dwelling. In this case, you cannot do without the help of professionals. To do this, you need to contact the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station (SES) and make an application.

After professional treatment with pest control, fleas will not return to your home.

In some regions there are special private firms dealing with parasite baiting. But their services are paid. The advantage of this pest control is that the reappearance of insects is practically impossible. Experts use professional remedies that prevent fleas from multiplying and reappearing.

How to get rid of fleas in an apartment building - video

What to do after killing insects

For fleas to forget their way to your home, it must be kept perfectly clean. After you have carried out the parasite baiting:

• vacuum every other day. The fact is that blood-sucking jumpers develop immunity to some insecticides, so no one has canceled mechanical methods of removing fleas;
• Once a week, wash what your pet is resting on;
• monitor the health of green spaces on the territory of the personal plot (if you live in a private house).

Reviews on what means you can defeat the invasion of insects and completely eliminate them

Fleas in an apartment can cause a lot of trouble for the owners, right up to the desire to move out. However, there are many ways to get rid of the parasites that have infested your home. You just need to choose the right means and periodically carry out prevention.