How to quickly get rid of fleas in the house and not get poisoned yourself

Many people believe that fleas enter the house on pets. This means that if you carry out antiparasitic treatment on your pet, the problem will be solved. However, these biting insects appear even in apartments where there are no cats or dogs. Parasites feast on any blood - both animal and human. We will try to highlight the types of struggle against these uninvited guests.

What are fleas? Bloodsucking parasites measuring about 5 millimeters in size. The body, flattened on the sides with multiple spines, allows it to stay in the folds of clothing and animal fur. Fleas have three pairs of legs. The back gives them the ability to jump very far.

Meeting the bouncy “neighbors”

Unwelcome guests are signaled by painful bloody flea bites on a person. Most often they bite the legs, since the insects live on the floor and cannot fly. The flea is ideally built for a parasitic lifestyle. This is a small insect, barely visible to the eye, protected by “armor”.

Powerful hind legs help to nimbly jump half a meter in length and 30 cm in height. The body of the insect is streamlined and flat with small hooks to make it more convenient to cling and linger on wool and fabric. It is for this reason that silk was valued in ancient times, as it did not allow parasites to cling to it.

There are more than 2000 species of insects in nature. Among the variety of blood lovers, there are “vegetarians” who parasitize green plants, feeding on sap and causing a lot of inconvenience to gardeners. Due to their small size—the largest individuals have a body length of 0.5 cm—fleas easily penetrate a person’s home and “settle in” well there. Household fleas love to parasitize dogs, cats, birds, and rodents. Most often they hide in upholstered furniture, behind the baseboard, near the radiator, in the pile of the carpet, soft toys, under the sink. Animal bedding is an excellent “nursery” for breeding offspring.

Small parasites live in a variety of environments. For example, grass or earth fleas, as the name implies, like to hide in bushes and grass, waiting for their prey. Linen fleas thrive on cotton and linen fabrics. In fact, these are the same parasites, and the common name indicates only the habitat. The most common fleas are red and black. This is the same species, but only at a different stage of development. Redheads are younger individuals that will later acquire a darker color.

A flea needs favorable conditions. The ambient temperature should be around 17-26°C. At −15°C, parasites try to leave the room, which does not allow them to lay eggs and raise larvae. Humidity - no more than 70%, otherwise the offspring will die. Fleas actively reproduce in summer and autumn. In winter they prefer to live in the fur of a warm-blooded animal.

Who is most often attacked by fleas?

Fleas can bite anyone, but people react differently to bites. One will not even notice contact with the parasite, while the other will immediately develop itching and painful rashes. When choosing a victim, insects act based on the following factors:

1. Human body temperature. Fleas are heat-loving insects. Therefore, people with elevated body temperatures are more susceptible to parasite bites.
2. The smell of a person. Insects are attracted to the smell of sweat emanating from a person, especially during physical activity. At the same time, those who use deodorants, sprays and other products based on natural herbal extracts are bitten by fleas much less often - such aromas repel insects.

There is an opinion that fleas choose people with thin skin and, as a result, close proximity of blood vessels as victims. But this is a mistaken opinion, because insects feed on blood from thin capillaries, which are easy for them to reach.

Where and how do insects get into an apartment?

Knowing the characteristics of your residence and habitat, it is easy to guess where fleas come from in an apartment, even if there are no animals. Unfortunately, the absence of furry pets does not eliminate the possibility of infestation of the premises with parasites. Besides your four-legged friends who are often outdoors, fleas can appear in two other ways.

1. "Neighbourly." Neighbors may have animals and excellent conditions for fleas. Parasites easily cross thresholds, are transferred from clothing to clothing, and travel on shoes. Simple friendly communication with neighbors on the landing can turn into an invasion of parasites.
2. Damp basement. In the basements of apartment buildings, as a rule, it is warm and cozy for the reproduction of various living creatures, in particular rats. Fleas live on animals and they also thrive in such conditions. From the basement, through small cracks in the floor, insects can visit the residents of the lower floors. Owners living under the roof are also not protected from insects; parasites can “move” from the attic.

It is necessary to act immediately to prevent the proliferation of fleas. Insects lay hundreds of eggs, from which numerous parasites emerge. Even if all the adult individuals are exterminated, larvae and eggs may remain in the apartment, due to which the house will have to be treated again.

Consequences of flea bites

Bites left by fleas immediately cause discomfort. Bite marks are easy to notice by their characteristic features. But if there are few bites, then they will most likely go unnoticed, especially if they are not located in plain sight. The presence of several bites and the accumulation of wounds throughout the body indicates an attack by parasites.

Signs by which it is easy to distinguish flea bites:

• a rash that appears around the bite site;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• the occurrence of an allergic reaction;
• fever and swelling;
• redness, itching and pain at the site of the bite.

If you scratch the affected area, there is a high probability of infection entering the body. As a result, ulcers and inflammation will appear. If the situation is neglected, ulcers form, and against their background pyoderma develops.

Fleas also affect human mental health. Parasite bites are painful and keep you up at night. Constant irritation and insomnia lead to nervous disorders.

All these consequences are unpleasant for humans, but in comparison with the diseases that fleas carry, they mean nothing. But they can cause irreparable harm to human health.

Methods of combating wingless parasites

The success of pest control largely depends on the right product. Conventionally, all anti-flea substances can be divided into two groups - killing and repelling. The first include toxic drugs that destroy adult colonies. Unfortunately, eggs and pupae are very difficult to eliminate. The second group consists of strong-smelling substances that force fleas to look for a new home with a more pleasant aroma.

Chemicals

Modern household chemicals take into account almost all problems that arise in the home. Therefore, feel free to go to the store and choose a special anti-flea product for your apartment. Carefully study the packaging and select the appropriate substance. The table provides an overview of the most popular chemistry.

Table - Chemicals for fleas

To avoid exposing your home to chemical treatments, purchase an ultrasonic repeller. Choose only professional devices, for example, Pest Reject or Typhoon LS-500. Some types of devices get rid of not only insects, but also rodents. The device does not work instantly. It will take at least a couple of weeks to feel the effect.

Traditional methods

You can completely get rid of fleas in the house only with strong chemicals after completely treating the room. However, products that can be found in almost every home will help pre-wash floors, clean carpets, furniture, animals, while repelling an adult colony of insects. The products have an unpleasant odor that fleas do not like.

Some substances, such as essential oils with a strong odor, can be used as a flea preventative. It is enough to treat possible places where insects accumulate with oil every week. If parasites have infested a private home, it is recommended to plant tansy in the area next to the windows and door. Plants with yellow inflorescences will decorate the area, and the smell will repel insects. Read more about the use of popular folk remedies in the table.

Table - Home methods for getting rid of fleas

According to reviews, the effectiveness of the product depends on endurance and concentration. Do not make too weak solutions, but also do not overdo it, otherwise not only insects, but also household members will suffer. Use the white sheet to determine the effectiveness of the product. After the procedure, place the paper under the bed, near the sink, or baseboard. After a few hours, assess the number of fleas on the leaf.

The danger of fleas for children and pregnant women

Parasites pose a much greater danger to children than to adults. Their skin is more sensitive and the reaction to bites is more acute. Children are susceptible to developing allergic reactions that can lead to serious consequences.

For children who have not been vaccinated, fleas are extremely dangerous. Mandatory vaccinations protect children's bodies from complications of diseases transmitted by fleas.

For women carrying a child, fleas are just as dangerous as for other people. But any ailment associated with exposure to fleas on the body negatively affects the condition of the fetus. This is especially dangerous in early pregnancy, when the fetus is just forming. Therefore, it is not advisable for pregnant women to encounter insects.

How to get rid of fleas in the house: 5 steps

To remove fleas from an apartment, you need to treat all things step by step, and then the room as a whole. There is a lot of work to be done, but it is worth it to restore peace of mind to your family and pets. The main thing is not to panic, to act systematically. It is necessary to go through five stages to completely treat your apartment for fleas.

1. Eliminating the source. First of all, find the place where the invasion began. If these are cracks in the baseboard or windows, seal the holes and make minor repairs. Treat the animal that caused fleas to spread around the apartment with special products - drops, shampoo or spray, and put a flea collar on the dog or cat. Change bedding or cage.
2. Dry and wet cleaning. Vacuum all corners, carpets and furniture. It is better to use a vacuum cleaner with a paper bag, which you immediately throw away after cleaning. If dust collects in a plastic container, throw out the contents and rinse the container with boiling water. It is not recommended to use a vacuum cleaner with a fabric bag. After dry cleaning, wipe the floors, window sills, and sink with soap, vinegar or ammonia solution.
3. Processing things. Take the carpets outside, beat them well and warm them in the sun, or cover them with snow and leave them for a while. Treat mattresses and furniture upholstery with steam using an iron or steam generator. Wash all the things in the closet, bed linen, towels, bathrobes. Steam coats, jackets, jackets. Beat out the pillows and leave them in the sun. Don't miss a single thing in the house. Everything must be washed, knocked out and cleaned.
4. Complete disinfection of the premises. Before treating with poison, it is better to remove household members, including animals, from the apartment. Remove food, take out indoor plants (they should be treated separately), remove bedding. Protect your respiratory tract and eyes with a mask and goggles. Close windows, doors, and ventilation. Apply the chemical to insect nesting areas, such as baseboards around the perimeter of the room. Depending on the product used, let the poison sit for a certain amount of time (indicated on the label), only then ventilate the room.
5. Repeated procedure. You should not immediately clean up and wash off the product. Time must pass to ensure that the insects are eliminated. It is possible that after the first treatment, eggs and pupae remained, which will hatch only in a week. If after ten days the peace is not disturbed, no one is bothered by bites, you can begin general cleaning. Newly spotted insects require repeated treatment with poison.

Treat absolutely all rooms (with windows and doors closed), even if fleas live only in the bedroom or bathroom. Local application will not be successful. Insects simply migrate to the next, “clean” room.

The easiest way to quickly get rid of fleas in the house is to call the appropriate service that will poison the annoying insects. If you decide to cope on your own, you should be patient and pedantic. Not a single section of the room should be skipped, otherwise in a week everything will happen again.

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What diseases do fleas carry?

If I come into contact with insects, there is a risk of contracting terrible diseases. Some of them even lead to death. You can verify the seriousness of the diseases by studying the list of infections transmitted by fleas:

• plague,
• tularemia,
• anthrax,
• trypanosomiasis,
• encephalitis,
• typhus and relapsing fever.

Typhoid and encephalitis are considered common infections, but plague and anthrax are rare but dangerous diseases that lead to death. In addition to infections, fleas can infect humans with fungal diseases, listeriosis and salmonellosis.

The likelihood of contracting infectious diseases after a bite is low, but it still exists. This poses a great threat to human health.

Fleas are direct carriers of helminths. More precisely, they carry the eggs of endoparasites, of which there are a great many in nature.

By crushing a flea and not washing your hands with soap afterward, there is a high risk of introducing tapeworm and roundworm eggs into the body. By the way, the risk of becoming infected with helminths through contact with insects is higher than contracting a dangerous disease.

How to treat bite sites

The area of ​​skin affected by parasites requires immediate treatment to prevent the development of skin diseases. This is especially important if the bite mark is very itchy, swollen and red. When the temperature rises, it is also necessary to treat the wound.

Instructions for treating flea bites:

1. Having found the affected area, wash it with antibacterial soap and treat it with an antiseptic.
2. If the temperature rises and you feel severe itching in areas of contact with insects, wipe the skin with a weak vinegar solution or water with citric acid. Iodine, brilliant green, alcohol or soda solution will help protect against infection.
3. Apply ice to the bite site to relieve inflammation.
4. Hydrocortisone ointment will help relieve pain.
5. If an allergic reaction occurs, take antihistamines and antipyretics.

Remember, even if the bite mark is very itchy, under no circumstances should you scratch it. Otherwise, you can damage the skin and introduce infection into the body.

If your health worsens, you should consult a doctor for tests, diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Cat bloodsuckers

Cat fleas are similar to rat and dog fleas. These are very small insects, the average length of the dark brown body with a noticeable shine is 2-3 mm. Contrary to popular belief, they do not live on a cat’s body, but only feed. For permanent residence, they choose shelters in which they actively reproduce and where no one disturbs them. On the street they live in heaps of various garbage, under dry grass and leaves, and in the nests of wild animals. In a person’s home, they set up their shelters in a pet’s rug, behind baseboards, under carpets, in blind corners under furniture in accumulations of garbage. In a residential building, they often inhabit the basement space.