A small insect is a big problem. How to get rid of fleas in an apartment?

Fleas in an apartment are inconvenient, unpleasant and, more importantly, life-threatening. These small pests feed on blood, attack in colonies, bite through skin and drink blood. There are a lot of fleas, they are small, inconspicuous, they breed quickly, the colony is rapidly replenished and grows. It is impossible to destroy them by mechanical means. Even squashing one such bloodsucker will not get rid of the rest. Only certified flea products help in controlling the pest.

Before buying pesticides, make sure that you were attacked by fleas. Here is the unmistakable evidence.

1. Redness on the legs, arms, body, and less often on the face.
2. Restless fussing of domestic animals, their howling and whining, attempts to catch something in their fur.
3. Small black dots that quickly appear and disappear. They are clearly visible on a clean floor, a white window sill, bed linen and papers.

If you notice these signs, immediately buy flea treatment in your apartment and begin pest control. You can’t wait: fleas are dangerous insects.

Where do fleas come from in the house?

Fleas are very prolific: over 2 years of life, the female lays about 500 eggs, which after 2 weeks begin a full life and active reproduction. Insects need a source of food and a place to lay eggs. Therefore, they strive to penetrate the nest of a wild animal - a rabbit or a squirrel, or into a city apartment. How do they do this?

• a pet brings one or more insects from the street on its fur;
• flea eggs are carried into the apartment on the soles of shoes;
• fleas enter the apartment from neighbors;
• insects from the basement or attic can penetrate into nearby apartments

Choosing a suit for a walk

Clothing made of thick fabric is required. One popular protection option involves wearing a cotton shirt. Another shirt is put on over it - made of durable and thin knitted fine-mesh fabric.

The protection is simple - the insect is not able to reach the skin and bite through it.

The head is protected by a hat with a mosquito net called a mosquito net. It is designed against flying insects, but a flea can reach the head in 2-3 jumps. And if people stopped for a rest or went to bed, then the pests will definitely reach all parts of the body.

Legs should be hidden under pants made of thick fabric. The feet are protected with boots or high boots. It is recommended to tuck your pants into your shoes - this will reduce the chance of insects getting into your skin.

Getting Rid of Fleas: 5 Steps to Insect Freedom

The difficulty in removing fleas from an apartment is that they multiply very quickly. Treating individual surfaces does not help: pupae remain in other places, which become fleas, bite a person or animal, and you have to start the fight again. Fleas live on the floor, under baseboards, in beds and other objects located at a height of no more than one and a half meters.

Start your room treatment by fighting your pet's fleas. The animal must be washed with a special shampoo, and then treated with a spray and put on an insecticidal collar.

How to get rid of fleas: treating an apartment

1. Wash all bedding and bedspreads at a temperature of 60C and above. Wash your dog bed, cat house or mattress too, and if this is not possible, throw it away.
2. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture. Don't forget about all the rugs and rugs that lie on the floor and hang on the walls. Immediately after cleaning, empty the contents of the vacuum cleaner into the toilet or take the tightly tied bag outside before the insects scatter.
3. Wash the floor with water and added wormwood essential oil. Insect eggs will be washed away, and they will not lay new ones on the surface with the smell of wormwood for some time. Particular care should be taken to wash corners, baseboards and the floor under furniture.
4. It is better to throw away all things that cannot be cleaned and washed. If fleas live in an old chair and lay eggs there, it will be a constant source of parasites.
5. Wash all outdoor shoes thoroughly with a sponge and detergent. Then you can be sure that there will be no flea eggs left on your soles.

First aid

At the site of the flea bite, the skin swells, a red spot forms around the wound and itching begins.

It is necessary to treat the bite site with an antiseptic and apply ice. Then use medicinal ointment or other remedies against flea bites.

If you have allergies and swollen lymph nodes, fever and insomnia that appear after a bite, you should immediately seek medical help. Fleas carry dozens of diseases, and delay is life-threatening.

Review of effective anti-flea products for home and animals

The flea is tenacious. A powerful chitinous shell - an exoskeleton - protects it from mechanical damage and exposure to chemicals. But there are insecticides that affect the nervous system of insects, destroy the chitinous shell and bring inevitable death to them. Such products should contain the following substances:

• Pyrethrins are natural insecticides that are safe for human and animal health. The insect is paralyzed, after which it dies;
• pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, etc.) are synthetic pesticides with a stronger effect than pyrethrins. Negatively affects the nervous system of domestic animals and fish;
• Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid pesticide. Analog of pyrethroids;
• Nitenpyram is a medicine taken orally. Kills fleas in a maximum of 1.5 hours. Safe for humans and animals;
• Selamectin is a semi-synthetic agent. Not used for treating pregnant and lactating animals, puppies, kittens and sick individuals;
• fipronil is a product for treating animal hair.

Insecticidal preparations for pets

It will not be possible to completely destroy fleas without treating pets, since insects can hide in the fur of animals after disinsection of a living space. For the procedure, it is recommended to use special products that will not harm the pet, but will be harmful to fleas.

Main types of funds

Today, many different means have been developed that can quickly and effectively kill fleas that parasitize pets:

• insectoacaricidal powder (for example, “Clandestine”) is the most gentle preparation, since the percentage of insecticides in its composition is minimal. The advantages of this remedy include the fact that the animal does not need to be wet, because many tailed animals do not like this. The disadvantage is the short validity period (about 7–10 days);
• anti-parasitic shampoo - suitable for animals that like to bathe. The most popular and inexpensive drugs are: “Bars”, “Clandestine”, “Fitoelita”;
• sprays. These drugs are no less popular, because they are very easy to use. To do this, simply spray the product over your pet's fur and let it dry. The most famous and inexpensive drugs of this type include: “Foline”, “Bars”, “Harts”;
• flea drops occupy a leading position because they are easy to use and give a long-lasting effect (“FleaNet”). Each package is designed for a certain weight of the animal, so the owner does not have to worry about an overdose.

To avoid re-infestation, after treating your pet, put on an anti-flea collar (for example, “Doctor Zoo”), which will repel parasites.

Photo gallery: antiparasitic agents for animals

Anti-flea collar "Doctor Zoo" is used to protect animals from fleas

Flea spray "Foline" is sprayed over the animal's fur and allowed to dry.

Antiparasitic powder “Clandestine” is the most gentle insecticidal agent

Flea drops "BlochNet" are applied to the withers of the animal

Insecticides for flea control: which weapon to choose?

The desire to get rid of insects should not end in poisoning a person or pets. Before use, you must study the instructions, calculate the dosage and, if necessary, isolate animals and children during treatment.

Anti-flea products for home

The indoor use of organophosphorus compounds such as dichlorvos, karbofos, chlorpyrifos, chlorophos, and the like is an unjustified risk. Yes, they are effective, but at the same time very dangerous for humans.

Sprays based on dichlorvos are inexpensive, but you should focus not only on the price. What else can you find on the insecticide market:

• Sinusan is a product with a strong unpleasant odor based on chlorpyrifos. Professional exterminators work with it. Spray while wearing a respirator, safety glasses and gloves;
• Get – granular chlorpyrifos concentrate for home use. They often sell products that are not original, and therefore ineffective.

Effective pyrethroid sprays to kill fleas

Synthetic pyrethroid insecticides are conveniently used in the form of a spray or aerosol. Analogues of natural pyrethrins are not inferior to them in their insecticidal properties, but are safe for humans and pets. The undeniable advantage of aerosols is that adult insects and larvae are destroyed in one treatment.

When using a flea spray or aerosol, you must:

• clear the room of people and pets. Cover the aquarium with glass and turn off the compressor;
• close doors and windows tightly during treatment and do not open for 2-3 hours after it;
• start processing from bottom to top: floor, baseboards, interior surface of furniture, bed linen, soft toys, curtains;
• After treatment and ventilation, wash the floor and wipe all horizontal surfaces. Bed linen and toys treated with the product must be washed at a temperature of 60 C'.

Which means are trustworthy:

• Dichlorvos TM is a well-proven remedy for combating flying and crawling insects. Up to 10 ml of solution is required per 1 m2. Food and utensils must be removed during processing. A closed room is being processed that cannot be ventilated for 3 hours;
• Raptor - an aerosol based on cypermethrin destroys crawling insects. Effective, odorless, non-toxic to people and animals;
• Raid "from cockroaches from ants" destroys all crawling insects, including fleas and bedbugs;
• Combat Super Spray is a broad-spectrum aerosol. Synthetic pyrethroids cyphenothrin and imiprotin kill adult insects and eggs;
• Dr.Klaus is suitable for treating apartments, houses and local areas

Flea powders

Powders are not as easy to use as sprays. They cost less, but are not as effective. The substance is scattered in insect habitats: on the floor, baseboards, carpets. The likelihood that fleas will die is low - fleas only die if their body comes into contact with the insecticide. You should not expect an immediate effect from the use of these drugs.

The most commonly used powders are:

• Pyrethrum is a natural preparation based on chamomile extract. Effective and safe.
• Delicia - made from chlorpyrifos. The drug is effective only against cat and dog fleas.
• Phenaxin fights not only fleas, but also flies.
• Dust Clean House destroys fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches and ants.

Flea remedies: comparison table

Front-double

1. The product is produced in Russia.
2. Release form: insecticidal powder against ants, cockroaches, bedbugs and fleas.
3. Weight in a bag – 125 g.
4. Active ingredients in the composition: zeta-cypermethrin (0.02%), es-fenvalerate (0.01%), piperonyl butoxide (0.15%).
5. How to use - you need to scatter it in all corners, crevices and loose surfaces.
6. The effect can be detected after just a few hours. Kills eggs and larvae of parasitic insects.
7. Consumption – enough against fleas for 1 sq. m use 2 gr. powder.
8. Toxicity is average.
9. Approximate cost: 60 rubles.

Feedback on Fas-double:

Anastasia, Pskov. I couldn’t stand this scourge of fleas, and bought “Fas-double” insecticides, powder and aerosol. I think everything together helped. Because after a couple of days there were no bloodsuckers in the apartment at all. Then I did the treatment another week later, just in case, you never know, maybe the eggs were still hatching. In short, the front double really works, I recommend it!

How to get rid of fleas using traditional methods?

Folk methods of fighting fleas are, first of all, the use of odors that are unpleasant to insects. Many insects, including fleas, cannot tolerate bitter wormwood, but the plant does not destroy them, but repels them.

Pyrethrium - Persian chamomile contains pyrethrins, which are harmful to fleas. But in order for the insects to die, you will have to cover the floor with fresh stems and leaves of the plant for a day.

Instead of pyrethrium, you can line the floor with fresh pine sawdust, or spray the floor, baseboards and walls with an infusion of wormwood, mint, eucalyptus or tansy.

The advantage of folk methods is that you do not need to purchase a specialized drug, but you can use improvised means. The downside is the non-guaranteed result and the danger of damaging the interior and things during the experiment to kill insects. In addition, treatment with these means must be carried out at a certain frequency: it will not be possible to eliminate the entire population at once. Below we present several even more original and even extreme ways to combat insects.

What don't fleas like? Extreme recipes:

• Rub a mixture of baking soda and salt into the carpet and leave overnight. Vacuum in the morning;
• Apply a mixture of yeast and garlic to the floors and carpets. Leave overnight;
• spray a mixture of a bucket of water and 100 ml of kerosene throughout the apartment and close the doors and windows;
• Sprinkle borax powder on the floor and carpet and leave overnight. The chemical is dangerous for children and pregnant women.

Safety precautions during disinfestation

When disinfesting a residential premises, the following precautions should be observed:

• use self-defense equipment (gloves, goggles, mask);
• after treating the house with aerosol preparations, leave it for several hours, then thoroughly ventilate the room and carry out a thorough cleaning, washing the floors and walls;
• When using a powdered drug, do not forget that children or animals can get it. Therefore, you should scatter it in inaccessible places or block their access to the surface to be treated.

Calling the Professionals for Flea Control

If you do not want to start a war with fleas, entrust the removal of uninvited guests from your apartment to mercenary exterminators. Their composure and extensive experience in this matter help to quickly defeat the enemy. The cost of professional flea disinfestation is higher than the cost of a can of insecticidal spray, but the specialist gives a guarantee and completes the work in the shortest possible time.

Call a specialist and tell them whether there are a lot of fleas in the apartment. This is important to choose the right drug and equipment.

Before the exterminator arrives, prepare the apartment for treatment.

• people and pets must leave the apartment during treatment;
• cover the aquarium with glass and turn off the air supply;
• remove bed linen and bedspreads, move furniture away from the walls;
• throw away old items that may contain flea colonies;
• hide food and dishes;
• prepare equipment for cleaning after disinfection.

Prevention: to avoid fleas

We tell you what to do to prevent fleas from enjoying your home.

• wet cleaning at least once a week;
• vacuum the floor, carpets, baseboards and all cracks every 5-7 days;
• for your pet, purchase a special collar or drops for the withers;
• Wash outdoor shoes periodically.

If you need a guaranteed result, call the phone number listed on the website or fill out the feedback form. The company’s specialist will advise you on the exact cost of flea extermination and book a specialist visit on a date and time convenient for you. We are ready to quickly exterminate hated insects 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Recommendations after completion of sanitation

After sanitation, the tenant thoroughly ventilates the entire private house or apartment - opens all windows and creates a draft.

We must not forget about preventing this problem. A caring owner does not allow his dog or cat to come into contact with various street animals.

Also, the owner of a dog or cat puts a special anti-flea collar on his pet. In addition, at least 1 time in 6 months. he wet-cleans his home using a wormwood solution.

If a private house has a basement, then in this case it is necessary to call professional exterminators to your home as often as possible, who will correctly and effectively treat such non-residential premises against fleas.