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Getting the Fleas Off of Your Dog and Out of Your House

There is no bigger nuisance in the summertime than an overactive flea population, particularly since that flea population doesn’t particularly care whether it gets its sustenance from your furry companions or from you yourself. Animals and children are going to track in fleas in the summertime; it’s inevitable, the little creatures sit on blades of grass waiting for a prime opportunity to jump onto a new host. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your exposure, and consequently the flea population of your household, to a minimum.

The first thing you need to do is treat your dog. There are a number of flea medications on the market that will kill the fleas living in your dog’s coat and discourage any others from deciding that your pet looks like prime real estate. For most animals a flea shampoo and topical flea medication are sufficient; however, if your pet is still suffering severely you can talk to your vet about other alternatives. Some flea medications on the market are prescription strength only, and your vet can guide you in making the decision that is best for your dog.

Once you have gotten all of the fleas off of your dog you need to get them out of your yard. There are many over the counter flea sprays that will perform the same death-and-repellent function on your yard that medication does on your pet. Spray as often as the directions indicate, being sure that you give the insecticide plenty of time to dry before turning children and animals loose to play. If you have an exceptionally large yard you will probably not be able to spray the entire area; instead, spray only where you have noticed a problem. These will probably be areas where your children complain of being bitten while outside playing.

Once you have gotten rid of the flea population outside and greatly diminished the chances of any more coming inside your home to roost you are going to need to get rid of the ones that are already there. Fleas breed quickly, and the open availability of dark spaces in a house and a human population for sustenance make the inside of your home a perfect place for them to live. Take a day and clean your home as thoroughly as possible, vacuuming your floors and cleaning any piles of clothing, blankets, etc. up off of your floors. Then use one of the commercial flea sprays or powders available to treat your home. You are going to need to do this on a day when everyone is out, to avoid exposing anyone in the household to the toxic substances.

After spraying the house, it is simply a matter of maintenance. Cleanliness is going to be your best friend when it comes to keeping your home free of bugs. Vacuum frequently, including inside and underneath the furniture, and wash your blankets frequently. It will not be possible for you to remove fleas from your home entirely during the hot summer months, but with a little prevention you can keep them to a minimum.

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