Category: Flea Treatments

There are a variety of different types of fleas among which sand fleas are different from the rest because they are arthropods – the most environmentally adaptable survivors on planet Earth. Sand fleas are crustaceans possessing five to seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antenna. The name gives a clue about their favorite habitats which is the sand around beaches, rivers, lakes and even deserts.

While their body color may range from whitish to brownish, sand fleas’ body size also varies greatly. Some can be seen with the naked eye while others are only visible under a magnifying lens. Sand fleas are active in the evening, at night and early dawn, which means that if you hang out on the beach at that time, you are highly at risk of being bitten by the pesky crustaceans. Despite their small body size, their bites are especially painful and itchy. Should you want to know how to treat sand flea bites, keep reading through the rest of this article.

Types of sand flea bites and symptoms

Before starting to treat sand flea bites, you need to learn to identify sand flea bites first. Typically, there are two types of bites caused by sand fleas. The first one is very similar to that of mosquitos. They appear as red spots and bumps which quickly vanish after one or two days, provided they are not scratched. This type of sand flea bite occurs when the bloodsucking arthropod sucks blood and then moves to another host after injecting a toxin to prevent blood clotting. This process enables them to suck out some blood and then move to the next host without getting stuck.

The second type of sand flea bite tends to be more severe as they result from sand fleas burrowing themselves into the host’s skin to lay their eggs. They may stay there until the eggs hatch. This causes the host severe pain and discomfort. A black spot surrounded by a swollen area is a sign that breeding sand fleas are taking refuge there. The pain may get worse and the site will not heal until proper treatment has been executed. The bites could become so painful that walking is difficult.

Both types of sand flea bites are itchy, painful and may result in fever or infection. The more allergic you are to external invaders, the more severe reactions you may experience. Most often you’ll get bitten on the ankles, feet or legs because they are about 25cm off the ground, which is the height that sand fleas can jump. Upper body bites are less common unless you lie or sit on the beach. So, how to treat sand flea bites?

Sand flea bites treatments

There are several approaches to deal with sand flea bites. They range from soothing the area to seeking a doctor’s help or preventing the bites from happening in the first place. We’ll first have a look at soothing methods.

Apply lotion or cream

When you have been bitten by sand fleas, the very first symptom is usually itching. You will be tempted to scratch the spot to relieve the irritation; however, this is not a wise thing to do. As you scratch the bites, it may cause the bites to be opened up and infection may occur.

So how should you treat sand flea bites when they are so itchy and you cannot scratch? Application of soothing lotions or creams is one method. Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream, which can be easily found in your local pharmacy are good choices to apply to bitten areas for relief from the itching. The package instructions should be read carefully to check how much to apply, how often to apply it and where not to use it.

Basically, the eyes and mouth are parts of the body that should not have contact with any chemicals so you must be careful not to touch those parts with your hands after rubbing lotion on the bitten areas. Remember to wash your hands well after using the cream or lotion. For children under 10 years old, and also pregnant women or breast feeding moms, you should consult with a doctor to know whether the medicine is safe to use or not.

Baking soda and water

A mixture of baking soda and water can be used to treat sand flea bites. A cup of baking soda can be poured into a bathtub of cool water. Soak your entire body or just the bitten parts in the tub for about half an hour. Another way to utilize baking soda is to mix it with water in a 3:1 ratio. Stir the mixture well. As soon as it forms a paste, it can be spread onto the itchy areas of skin. Keep the paste on the skin for 30 minutes before washing off with cool water.

Oatmeal bath

The antioxidants in oatmeal can also help to soothe flea bites quite well. Add one or two cups of oatmeal to a warm tub of water and then use this to soak the affected areas. The irritation and itchy feeling should feel relieved within an hour of soaking. It’s important to note that hot water should not be used as it just worsens the irritation.

Aloe Vera and essential oils

Aloe Vera functions as a soothing agent for irritated skin the same way that some essential oils do. Both can be purchased from your local drug store and applied directly to the sand flea bites. However, instructions to apply the appropriate dosage should be strictly followed to get the best results without suffering any side effects. It’s a good idea to seek a doctor’s advice regarding essential oil varieties such as lavender, tea tree, or cedar if you are pregnant. To check first for allergies or sensitivity, a patch test should be performed on a small area of unaffected skin before applying to the whole area.

Medical help

If you have a swollen area with a black spot in the center, it is probably the sign of a severe bite caused by female sand fleas burrowing into the skin to lay eggs. For this kind of bite, soothing methods will not help to cure it. Hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion may lessen the symptoms but in case either of the options do not work, you need to visit a doctor right away. The doctor will usually remove the sand flea and will probably recommend that you use antihistamine cream to reduce the irritation due to an allergic reaction. Strictly follow your doctor’s instructions to obtain the best results.

No matter how effective the remedies for sand flea bites are, it is best not to get bitten at all in the first place. The following prevention measures will give you some ideas about this.

Avoid hanging out on the beach at dawn and dusk

Cooler weather activates sand flea activities. Therefore, if you want to enjoy beach sight-seeing in the evening or at dawn, it is highly likely that you will get bitten. Rainy days are also favorable for the bloodsuckers, so be careful if you go to the beach during those type of days. It is advisable to visit the beach once the sun has risen and the weather is warm and dry. You may still get bitten, but the chances will be much less.

Use insect repellents

If you still want to enjoy the beach at dawn or dusk regardless of sand fleas, try spraying insect repellent on your feet, ankles, and legs before you go. Sand fleas will be discouraged from approaching to bite you as the chemical smell of the repellents will deter them from getting closer. Remember to take the insect repellent with you and to re-apply after swimming.

Protect your feet, ankles, and legs

Sand fleas can jump about 25cm high, so covering your ankles, feet and legs can be a good protective measure to keep you safe from sand fleas. Pants, sandals or shoes can be worn for beach walking. Have a towel or blanket beneath you when you want to lie down on the beach.

To Sum Up

We hope these tips have given you some ideas about what to do if you get bitten, and how to prevent sand flea bites. The main things to remember are to not scratch no matter how itchy they are, and to seek a doctor’s help if the bite is suspected to be a severe one with female sand fleas burrowing into the skin. Prevention measures are always preferable to treatment ones. Equip yourself with insect repellents or avoid the sand fleas’ active time and you should be able to enjoy your time at the beach without worrying about sand flea bites.

According to the Wikipedia definition, fleas are small brown insects that are about 3mm long when mature. They don’t have wings, but possess hind legs for jumping, and have chewing mouthparts which are useful for piercing the skin of their hosts and feeding on their blood. They love to take refuge in warm, shady places. Too much exposure to the sun or water will kill them.

“How to treat fleas in yard?” is a common question, if you have pets like dogs or cats. Because it is very likely that there are fleas residing in your pets’ warm fur. To make it worse, they may jump elsewhere and spread over the house into blankets, carpets, and even clothes. As long as your pets play around the yard or sleep there, fleas will also take the opportunity to invade the yard.

Should you notice fleas indoors, it is fairly easy to do something about it as the space is small and manageable. In case of the yard, fleas are more difficult to identify as the area is larger and fleas have more room to hide. Despite this, it is not impossible to deal with fleas in the yard. You may need to invest a little more time and effort on this task, but if you are determined enough to get rid of a flea infestation, it is absolutely worth trying and the results will be rewarding. We will now go into more detail about how to treat fleas in yard safely and effectively.

Locate fleas in the yard

Before you get started with the question “how to treat fleas in yard?”, you will need to locate the areas where fleas are most likely to be hiding. The yard is spacious and fleas will not spread equally everywhere. Remember that they love to stay in warm and moist places which are not directly exposed to sunlight. Pets are the favorite host of fleas. Check out where pets frequently play in the yard and those will be the places that are probably most densely populated by fleas. Shady, grassy areas, the compost heap or piles of leaves are the most likely residence of the bloodsuckers.

A recommended trick is to wear white socks while you are searching for fleas in the yard. They may try to attach to you by clinging to the white socks and their tiny brown or black bodies will be easy to see against the white of the socks. It is very important to note that trying to treat fleas in the yard must come after you have figured out where they are, otherwise it will be a waste of time and effort to try to treat the entire yard.

Prepare the yard for treatment

You’ve first got to make sure that your pets are free of fleas before thinking of dealing with fleas in your yard. The reason is simple. If your pets still have fleas, sooner or later they will spread those insects over the yard again and your time and effort will have been wasted. Once pets have been treated for fleas, keep them out of the yard. Keep your children away too, while you are busy. You can now start mowing the grass, removing weeds and debris, stacking wood that is lying around and clearing away any piles of fallen leaves. The yard should be kept tidy and free of too many overhanging branches so that the sun can reach the ground and there are fewer places for fleas to hide.

It is not necessary to treat the entire garden area. Instead, focus on the places where your pets often hang out. Cleaning and arranging things neatly will be adequate to get rid of a certain number of fleas. In order to eradicate them completely, insecticides are your best option when getting rid of fleas in your garden.

Apply insecticides to the yard

Toxic chemicals will kill fleas right away, but you need to be careful to select insecticides that are high quality and safe for human and pets. Read the manual or follow the instructions on the label to use the chemicals safely. Protect yourself by wearing a mask, gloves and protective clothing while spraying flea-concentrated areas.

You may prefer to use organic pesticides that are more environmentally friendly and safer. You can source these using the Internet or local suppliers. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is one of these non-toxic treatments for fleas in your yard. You could use a spreading tool to spread the fine dust in areas where you suspect fleas are living. However, bear in mind that DE will not work on rainy days or in wet weather.

Flood the yard

Fleas prosper in moist places, but cannot survive in flooded areas. Mature fleas can be killed with insecticides and water will finish the rest of the task of clearing their eggs and larvae. After mowing your lawn, you may pump in water to flood the entire yard. This will not only kill the fleas but also wash away all the feces. Rainy days could help you with this as natural water from the sky will help to clean and get rid of all flea offspring. For sunny or dry seasons, you’ll have to flood the yard yourself.

Utilize nematodes

Nematodes are natural enemies of fleas. They are microscopic worms that are harmless to humans, animals, and plants. Feeding on flea larvae while not being able to resist direct sun exposure, nematodes could be sprayed in any shady spaces where fleas are noticed. Treating fleas in your yard is safe and effective with nematodes.

Cedar wood chips

This is another natural option to consider to help you with treating fleas in your yard. They cannot stand the scent of cedar wood chips. Sprinkle these chips over the areas that fleas are around. Cedar wood chips could be turned into a finer sawdust and sprinkled next to neighboring fences to prevent potential fleas from entering your yard.

Professional treatment

If you have no time to deal with fleas in the yard yourself or not successful after applying some of the treatment options above, professional help from the companies specializing in insect control is your next option. It will cost you some money, but you will certainly save time and effort. You will also usually obtain satisfactory results, and you’ll no longer need to worry about fleas. Next time you notice a flea infestation in your yard, just pick up the phone and call for the professionals. They will come and eradicate them safely.

Prevention of fleas in your yard

Whatever you do to treat fleas in your yard, it’s best if they have no chance to invade your living space in the first place. There are several things you can do the stop them from frequenting your yard.

First, remove any moist conditions of the yard by watering correctly- neither too much nor too little. Of course, flooding the lawn may kill flea eggs and larvae, but doing that too often will harm your lawn as well. Therefore, correct watering will help the lawn grow while keeping it dry enough to deter fleas from hiding or breeding.

Second, mow the lawn regularly, and trim or prune the shrubs and trees to expose the soil to more sunlight. Fleas will have no place to hide and will not be able to survive under the heat of the sun.

Third, plant lavender or pennyroyal, which is a member of the mint family. Both of these things are disliked by fleas. They are natural remedies to keep fleas away. One note of caution: pennyroyal is poisonous to cats if ingested, so if you have cats, then rather choose another method of flea prevention.

You should now have a better idea of how to treat fleas in yard. Remember to start treating for fleas as soon as you notice the first one. This will prevent the infestation from getting out of hand. You can absolutely do it yourself if you’re not too busy, otherwise you can always call in the experts. Thanks for reading!

About indoor gardening read more at Comfy Home Corner.

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Flea infestations are a common nightmare for each and every pet owner. It has been estimated that about 90% of pets can be attacked by fleas which can then invade your entire home just in a short time. Generally, many people will use chemicals to treat this problem; however, most of these products are fairly expensive and not good for your health or the planet. There are, however, several less toxic substances that can help you deal with the worry of a flea infestation. Today we’ll explain to you how to get rid of fleas with baking soda, a well-known home remedy.

How to get rid of fleas with baking soda on pets

The source of fleas will usually be your dogs or cats, so you need to start with them in order to deal with the problem at the root. A mixture of baking soda and water is a good remedy for the itching caused by fleas. Pets can be treated with a paste made from 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a little water to prevent itching and scratching. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a little water and apply the thin paste onto the flea bites. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture to the affected areas. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. Do not use baking soda on broken skin or open wounds.

In case your pet is itching all over and you desire to get rid of all the fleas, you can give your pet a bath with half to one cup of baking soda mixed into its bath water. Wash your pet with the mixture, beginning at the neck, and working your way to the tail. Keep the mixture on your pet for a few minutes before rinsing. As you rinse, you can clean away any dead fleas. Use a clean towel to dry your pet. Next, utilize a flea comb to remove any fleas that may remain on your pet. Keep fleas from invading your home again by keeping your pet indoors or by using nontoxic, preventative flea control products like a flea collar

How to get rid of fleas with baking soda and salt on carpets

The carpets in your house are places where these annoying insects like to hide and multiply. As we all know, baking soda and salt, these common kitchen ingredients, are not only safe and healthy for pets and babies but are inexpensive as well. Why don’t we take advantage of them instead of spending a fortune on toxic exterminatory products? More importantly, this natural remedy allows you to not only get rid of adult fleas, but also their eggs and larvae.

To get started, you’ll need the following: a box of baking soda, salt, a vacuum cleaner and a good stiff broom.

First, remove as much furniture as you can give yourself a free space to work on the entire carpet. In addition, remove your pets and children far from the treated areas because baking soda and salt can cause irritation to open wounds on their skin.

Second, mix an equal portion of baking soda and salt. A reasonable starting quantity is one cup of baking soda and one cup of salt. Mix enough to cover every inch of your carpet, as well as under the furniture, in the corners of the room, on upholstered furnishings and so on. Another way to do it is to use the baking soda and salt separately. In this method, freely sprinkle salt on the carpet from left to right so as to cover all areas. Next, sprinkle baking soda as you did the salt, however, the amount of baking soda can be less than of salt since soda is easier to spread. Besides, a large amount of soda may lead to trouble with sweeping it with the broom.

Third, take a broom and sweep the carpet vigorously. This ensures that the baking soda and salt mix completely with each other. Moreover, doing this is a way to help these effective products go deep inside every carpet fiber and then choke the fleas to death. During this period, these pesky insects will try their utmost to get away from the treatment, so you will probably see them jumping on your feet and legs. It is therefore highly recommended that you protect these parts with a pair of socks or slippers.

Fourth, leave your mixture in the carpets for at least 12 hours or longer, depending on how serious the level of infestation is. A good time to do it is if you’re going away for the weekend or on holiday.

Last but not least, vacuum all treated areas thoroughly to remove all the dying and dead fleas. Just one remaining flea egg lurking deep in the carpet fibers can result in a huge problem in the long run. Therefore, make sure you regularly vacuum your home and repeat the whole process twice a week until the problem has been resolved.

How to get rid of fleas with baking soda and vinegar

Did you know that a combination of baking soda and vinegar is also a highly effective flea remedy? Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 measuring cup
• 1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup warm water
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• 5 drops essential oil
• 1 spray bottle

Step by step to mix all the ingredients:

• Place ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of baking soda into the measuring cup.
• Add 5 drops of essential oil.
• Slowly pour ½ cup of warm water into the cup.
• Gently pour 1 cup of cider vinegar into the cup. You will see a hissing and foaming reaction.
• Pour your mixture into the spray bottle and shake. 

How to spray it onto your pets and infested areas:

• Make sure that your pets are not allergic to the essential oils before spraying. Spray your pets down from a distance of 6 inches away. Avoid the area of the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Rub it into their coats with your fingertips.
• Directly apply this mixture onto floors and places where fleas would hide.
• Store the remainder in the fridge.

To sum up

Before you turn to toxic chemical products for solutions to your flea problems, do remember to always try natural remedies like these ones first. They will save you a lot of money and health issues. They are also friendlier to the environment. We do hope that after reading this information, you have more insight into how to get rid of fleas with baking soda and how to apply it correctly.

Thanks for reading!

Fleas are pesky parasites that feed on human or animals’ blood. They often hide in moist and shady places such as carpets, rugs, and even beds. If you own a dog or a cat as a pet, you may find yourself searching for ways to cure your pets from fleas. Their bites are especially itchy and may transmit infectious diseases if not properly treated.

Therefore, any signs of fleas in your house or on your pets should be taken seriously and remedies should be utilized to eradicate the nuisance. There are multiple choices when it comes to killing fleas. Chemical products such as flea foggers or flea bombs are an immediate solution that is quite effective for flea infestations. However, the downside of this measure is the toxic chemicals that can adversely affect human and animal health if breathed in.

When dealing with fleas on pets, flea shampoos, flea combs or herbal sprays are among some of the other popular options. Those products are safe for your pets and are usually effective as well. Nevertheless, if you are still looking for a natural and cheap option to kill fleas, let’s look closer at how to get rid of fleas with salt. This simple cooking additive is found in every kitchen, but it is also an amazing option in the fight against fleas and it comes at a relatively low cost.

Flea’s life cycle

First, you should be aware that a flea’s life cycle consists of four stages, namely egg, larvae, pupae and mature fleas. Thus, you are not dealing with adult fleas alone, but their whole life cycle because if they’re not all removed completely, the potential adult fleas will soon develop from any stage of the cycle. Salt works because fleas thrive best in moist and shady environments. Salt will dehydrate the moisture and ultimately desiccate the fleas to death.

Where to start?

To begin treating your flea infestation using salt, you need to identify the places in your house that are infested with fleas. Although fleas will eventually spread all over the house, there will be some areas where they prefer to hide. If your pets are full of fleas, the fleas will travel wherever your pets go. It could be outdoors in the yard or indoors under tables, carpets, rugs, sofas, pet bedding and even in your bed if you let your pets sleep with you. Now you’ve got to treat the source of the fleas, namely your pets, before treating the rest of the infested areas.

De-flea your pet with salt

Flea shampoos are a good option to kill fleas hiding in pets’ fur. Alternatively, salt baths can also help to remove fleas. A proportion of one part of salt with ten parts of water is ideal for pet bathing. Soak your pet’s whole body in the water, but be careful to keep their eyes and ears clear. In case of heavy infestations, directly rub salt into your pet’s fur, leave for about two hours before brushing off the salt and bathing it in warm water. If your pets have any open injuries, don’t try to apply salt as it will sting. A single salt treatment may not remove all the fleas, and you may need to repeat the treatment a few days later.

Indoor flea treatment with salt

For removable and washable items in the house that are infested with fleas, such as pet blankets, high heat can help to kill the fleas. A hot water temperature of above 95 degrees Celsius is ideal to get the job well done.

What about bulky furniture and items that cannot be washed? The answer is to sprinkle salt over the infested item. Fine salt will penetrate better than coarse salt. When you are in a room trying to remove the fleas, make sure you have some salt sprinkled in front of the threshold or in the passage leading into the room. The reason is that when you try to kill fleas in one room, it is very likely that they will jump into the other.

Therefore, in order to surround them in one room for treatment, make sure you block all the exits with salt. Leave the salt spread over the carpets, rugs or floors for about 12 hours and then vacuum thoroughly. Salt acts as a drying agent and will dehydrate the environment. Those fleas that eat some salt will be desiccated as well. After that time, vacuum the room thoroughly, seal the vacuum bag, and discard it properly, otherwise eggs or larvae in it may hatch and start the whole infestation again.

Salt treatment for larvae

Salt is most effective in killing mature fleas as their bodies are exposed to the substance and the chances that they will eat the salt are pretty high. However, flea larvae can still survive in a salty habitat for a long time – they can go for up to a year without having to consume food.

Eggs are laid every day and will turn into larvae within two days or two weeks depending on the living conditions such as moisture or temperature. It may take weeks or months for larvae to make up cocoons and finally grow into mature fleas. During this larval stage, salt may have little effect on them. If you are still concerned about how to get rid of fleas with salt, the only way is to repeat the treatment – sprinkle salt then vacuum on a regular basis. This will kill adult fleas as they emerge, and gradually the cycle will end.

Outdoor treatment of fleas with salt is not very effective as the moisture content outdoors tends to be high and salt gets dissolved quickly. For outdoor treatment, you’ll need to look for methods such sprays or flea foggers. Removing all leaves and debris lying around, and keeping the lawn short also helps.

To sum up

We hope you have gained some new ideas on how to get rid of fleas with salt. For those of you who love safe and natural methods to fight against insect infestations, salt is such a good choice. In comparison with pesticides or flea bombs, it may require a little more effort for you to completely get rid of fleas. However, in return you can protect yourself, your family and pets from harmful chemicals, as well as save yourself some money.

One key point that we want to emphasize here, is that no matter how effective the measures you take to eradicate fleas are, it is best to prevent them from gaining a foothold in the first place. The saying, “Prevention is better than cure” is true in this case as well. The best preventive measure is to keep your living space neat and clean. If your yard and house are clean, pets will have a safe playground to hang out in and there’ll be less chance of their being bitten by fleas.

Watch your pets to see straight away if they have any sign of itchy spots and take prompt action as soon as you spot a few fleas on them. Early detection and immediate prevention measures will stop fleas from multiplying in number and spreading all over the house. Don’t panic if you see a few fleas around, but just take it as a reminder to clean up your house and garden and get everything in order.

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Fleas are minuscule, infuriating insects that mainly like to live on your dogs. Flea bites usually just tend to cause minor itching and annoyance, however, in some cases, your dogs can have an allergic reaction to flea bites. This will cause intense itching, pain, swelling and then excessive hair loss.

Fleas often love to live in the shadowy and damp areas in our gardens, and unfortunately, our dogs tend to play around and lie in these areas. Consequently, the chances of their being infested outdoors are higher than usual. Generally, flea infestations are a common problem you often have to deal with when you raise a pet, therefore, you should take time to find out how to treat flea bites on dogs. Save your dogs, and save yourself.

Bites caused by fleas are not only itchy, but can also be painful. If you see some small, red bumps in a group on the skin, they may be flea bites. Many people find it easy to observe flea bites on our own hairless bodies, but when covered by fur like your dog is, it is much more difficult to see them.

However, to figure out if your dog is flea infested is not really challenging because some your dog’s behavioral changes when it has an allergy will be clear signals. For example, he will scratch, bite and chew at his skin more than usual. He will have more than usual hair loss, and his skin will be red and swollen in places.

Another way to a identify a flea infestation is by looking at yourself. If you make out flea bites on your body, the fleas may very well have come from your dogs. Once you’ve identified that you do in fact have a flea problem, it’s a good idea to read the following information thoroughly to find out how to treat the flea bites on your dogs.

8 Tips to Treat Fleas Bites on Your Dogs

Give your dog a bath

Bathing your dog is the first step in getting rid of fleas on your dog. It will ease the itching and kill some of the fleas. There are a lot of flea products for dogs on the market, from shampoos to dips. However, finding the right shampoo is not as easy as many people think. It’s h​elpful to read online reviews of the various products, or else chat to your veterinarian and see if they can recommend a product. An ideal flea shampoo should consist of a mixture of various ingredients, to soothe the skin as well as to kill the fleas.

Apply ice

To reduce itching immediately, ice is a good choice. Use warm, soapy water to first clean the bites and the areas around the bites as well. Next, take some ice cubes from your fridge and wrap them in a damp cloth, then apply them to the bitten areas for 2 to 3 minutes. Take a few minutes break and repeat this 3 or 4 times. If you consistently apply ice a few times a day, your dogs will not be as itchy as before.

Use baking soda

Baking soda and water are the perfect combination to ease your dog’s itching straight away. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a little water. Use a cotton ball to apply this solution to the irritated areas. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then wash it off with cool water. If your dog’s whole body is itchy, you can also bath the dog in a mixture of water and baking soda.

Make use of vinegar

Mix some pure apple cider vinegar and water in a big bowl and then pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray it onto the bites to treat flea bites on dogs. Make sure you keep it away from the dog’s eyes, nose and ears. Application of this 3-4 times a day will soothe the itching and help the animal to stop scratching.

Take advantage of aloe vera

Extract the gel of fresh aloe vera by cutting a leaf and squeezing out the gel to treat flea bites on your dogs. Spread it onto the bitten areas. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then use warm water to wash off gently. Repeat the application 2-4 times a day, every day, to achieve the best effects. You can store the remaining leaves in the fridge.

Utilize Indian lilac (neem oil)

Dilute one part of neem oil with 10 parts of almond oil. Afterwards, put it on the flea bites several times a day. If you don’t have almond oil, you can also combine water with neem oil, and then sprinkle it on your pet’s fur and let it dry out.

Use anti-allergy medication

Your “best friend” may be restless and miserable if he has an allergy to flea bites. If he is really struggling, don’t hesitate to ask your vet for anti-allergy creams or buy them from the local pharmacy.

Calendula gel​

The gel form is good for soothing, cooling and providing immediate relief.

How to Protect Your Dogs from Fleas?

As you can see, there are many available products to treat flea bites on your dogs. Nonetheless, prevention is better than cure, so here are some useful tips to save your dog from being bitten in the first place.

Add garlic to your dog’s food

It has been proven that adding a bit of garlic to your dog’s daily meals will repulse fleas. The fleas don’t like the smell and taste, so won’t want your dog’s blood. Garlic also has antimicrobial properties that improves the dog’s immune system and helps it fight infection if it does get bitten.

Provide more types of vitamins for your pets

Pets taking in regular vitamins have a lower chance of being infested by fleas. That’s why, as a pet owner, you should be sure to purchase a good quality food for your dog. Use nutritional supplements, available from your vet, if necessary.

Keep the environment clean

An unhygienic environment provides favorable conditions for pesky fleas to live and breed. Vacuum your house regularly, attaching great importance to any area that your pet often has contact with, such as carpets or the dog’s bedding. Wash your dog’s bedding regularly in hot soapy water.

To Sum Up

We hope that these tips will help you to keep your pet happy and free of fleas. Please note that after you have applied any method to treat flea bites on dogs, you will need to observe your pets afterwards in order to check for any allergic reaction to some of the ingredients in the medication. If you try our tips and are still struggling to eliminate fleas or itching on your dog, we recommend that you contact your veterinarian.

Thanks for reading!

Are your cute little kittens flea-ridden? Are these annoying, persistent fleas driving you crazy? You would like to use something to treat fleas on kittens but you are wondering if the products will be harmful to their health. Well, we have lined up some useful methods for you to deal with the situation without putting your kittens at risk.

How to identify a flea infestation on kittens

Fleas are very small jumping insects without wings that bite animals and humans and suck their blood. These tiny, dark-colored creatures can cause serious diseases such as plague, cat scratch disease, tapeworms, flea allergy dermatitis and so on. Therefore, if you don’t treat fleas on kittens, you will be exposing them and yourself to severe health risks.

When your kitten begins to scratch itself, it is time to check it for fleas. To do this, move the fur over the neck until you can see the skin beneath. Go through all the different points around this area and down the shoulders. If you see a small insect crawling into the fur, it is most likely a flea. If you see any small red bumps, they might be flea bites. Once you’ve determined that there are fleas, it’s important that you treat them as soon as possible.

Methods to treat fleas on kittens

There are many methods to treat fleas on kittens, yet some are best for different stages of the kittens’ life.

Newborn kittens

Fleas never do anyone a favour, even vulnerable newborn kittens. They can be infested from their mother. They are so tiny and susceptible to harm from chemicals that you can do nothing but treat them manually.

Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to grasp persistent fleas and drop them into hot, soapy water. Next, you must separate the mother and the kittens for a short time in order to quickly treat the mother cat for fleas.

Kittens under 8 weeks of age

Bathing your kitten in warm water with very mild detergent seems to be the most common and effective method of removing fleas from young kittens. Follow the following steps:

First gather together everything you need for the bath before fetching the kitten. You will need two towels, a flea comb, a mild cat shampoo, tweezers, a cup of hot, soapy water and a plastic bag. Lay down all these supplies near a sink, a tub, a large mixing bowl or anywhere you are going to be bathing your kitten.

Fill the sink with warm, not hot, water. It’s a good idea to fill an extra basin for rinsing all the shampoo off properly. Quickly dip your kitten into the water up to the neck for a few seconds to ensure that all the fur is wet. Dunk its feet in the water first and use a soothing voice to talk to it and keep it calm. Pick the cat up out of the bath and place it on a towel to apply the shampoo.

Pour a small amount of the mild cat shampoo onto your kitten’s back. Lather all over the kitten gently and thoroughly, paying special attention to hard-to-reach and sensitive areas such as the legs and paws. Do remember to avoid the eyes since the shampoo might lead to sore eyes.

Next, you should see fleas running to the kittens’s head and facial areas as they hate water and go for the driest zone. Utilize the tweezers or even your fingers to grab and drop them into the cup of hot, soapy water to kill them.

Soak your kitten up to its neck in the water again to rinse off all the shampoo. Don’t let any soap residue remain. Use the other clean towel to dry your kitten off. Give it some cuddles as you dry as much water off as you can.

In case some fleas escaped from your earlier catch, it is important to pick off all remaining creatures while the kitten’s fur is still wet. Make use of the flea comb or tweezers to do it easier. Again, don’t forget to drop them into the cup of hot, soapy water.

Place the dry, flea-free kitten in a safe area and use a plastic bag to gather up all bedding and blankets the kitten may have been exposed to and wash them in hot soapy water. Vacuum and clean any areas that the kitten has come into contact with to make sure that fleas don’t come back again, at least for a while.

Kittens over 8 weeks of age

Once the kittens are older, other than bathing them, you can use flea products for cats such as Advantage, Advocate, Frontline and Comfortis Tablets. All medications are determined by the kitten’s age and weight, consequently, you must check with your vet prior to applying anything.

Besides the many available chemical flea products on the market, there are some natural ingredients that you can use to control fleas:

Salt: salt is a readily available, cheap ingredient that chokes fleas to death. Directly sprinkle salt onto the carpet to kill flea eggs and larvae. This will break the life cycle of the flea. Do this twice a week to make sure that none remain. Afterwards, don’t forget to vacuum your carpets to get rid of all dead fleas and eggs. Salt is indeed powerful, but it tends to be useless in high humidity environments because of the fact that salt can absorb water and make your carpet damp.

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Rosemary: rosemary is another simple and effective home remedy for fleas. Take some dry rosemary leaves and grind them to a powder. Sprinkle this powder over any area that your kitten has contact with. In addition, you also can prepare a rosemary dip for the kitten. Boil a pot of water and then steep a bunch of fresh rosemary in this water for a half of an hour. Wait until it becomes tepid and then dip your kitten into it. Not only will your kitten be flea-free but it will be fragrant. Put it in a sunny spot to dry off.our text here…

Lemon: cut some lemons into pieces and completely submerge them in boiling water. Steep them overnight. Pour this water into a clean spray bottle and spray the kitten and its surroundings. Alternatively, dip a cloth into the water and rub over any area that your kitten lays down in. Bear in mind that cats are quite sensitive to the smell of citrus, so you should avoid direct exposure to lemon on their skin.

Essential oils: give your cats an essential oil bath to help them overcome itchiness. Some commonly used essential oils for this purpose are lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus or cedarwood. Nonetheless, some of them are not safe for use on cats because of allergies, so it’s best to consult your vet before implementing any treatments.

Vinegar: mix distilled white vinegar and water in a proportion of 2:1. Gently shake to combine it and pour it into a spray bottle. Afterwards, just spray all potentially flea-infested areas.

After treatments on kittens

Right after you have treated fleas on kittens successfully, do remember to treat the environment as well. Wash all carpets, bedding, linen etc. in hot, soapy water. Vacuum frequently. Clean up your yard. Limit your kittens to outdoor exposure.

Last, but most importantly, always keep an eye on the kittens after treatment to make sure there are no allergic reactions or skin rashes. If you do notice any ill effects, do not hesitate to see your vet.

To sum up

In conclusion, there are many ways to treat fleas on kittens. No matter what method you choose, you must bear the age of the kittens in mind. You must give first priority to the kitten’s health and not use chemical sprays and dips if the kitten is too young. If any side effects emerge after the treatment, see your vet immediately. Do keep in mind that prevention is better than cure, so always keep a hygienic environment for yourself and your pets.

Fleas are very small jumping insects without wings, that bite animals and humans and suck their blood. Pets, like puppies or kittens, are good fun, especially for your children; however, the fleas on them are not. Flea bites cause not only itching, but also more severe problems ranging from infections to even the plague in some countries. Flea bites are more serious in the case of vulnerable babies who cannot do anything to protect themselves. That’s why it is your responsibility to identify the symptoms and know how to treat fleas on babies in order to prevent them from suffering from unnecessary pain.

Causes of flea bites on babies

Let’s get started with the reasons for flea bites on your children. There are many ways that your baby could have become bitten. Fleas drop off your pets, your pets are hugged by your children, and then fleas jump onto them. In other situations, babies crawl on the carpet or floor. Carpets are one of the most common places for flea eggs to hatch and fleas to hide. Fleas dwelling in the carpet will jump onto babies while they are crawling.

Sometimes, fleas come from unhygienic surroundings like the garbage or dust outside, then adult fleas come into your house and bite your children. Sandpits where children play outside are another place that fleas like to live and breed. When the children play in the sand, they get bitten.

Identifications of the flea bites’ symptoms

Next, we need to look at how you will know if your child has been bitten by fleas. Usually flea bites appear as red, swollen spots on the skin. Many people might confuse flea bites and mosquito bites, but in fact, they do look different.

Despite the fact that both cause itching, mosquito bites often are isolated while flea bites occur in a pattern, group or cluster. Looking closely, you will see a small red dot at the center of bitten area, where a flea bit the skin to drink blood.

Via: ​www.fleabitesinfo.org

Normally, bites appear on body areas that are most accessible, like the arms and legs, but if you have a flea infestation, such as in your bed or carpet, your baby may get bitten on the neck, back or shoulders as well.

Flea bites cause severe itching. Scratching may result in skin infections. Some symptoms of an infection are redness, swollen glands, pain in the bitten areas, possible skin leakage or bites that become larger due to swelling. Flea bites are not a matter to be ignored, and it’s important to know how to treat flea bites on babies and take measures as soon as possible.

Treatments of flea bites on babies

Try your best to stop your children from scratching

As mentioned earlier, scratching tends to be a cause of infection. When these pesky insects feed, they excrete. Nasty bacteria are going to soil the area around the bite, and if it gets scratched, they will go into the bloodstream. Say “no” to scratching! If your baby is small and cannot stop scratching, put a pair of mittens on his hands.

Keep the area clean

Make sure that the bitten areas are clean at all times to prevent infection, especially since babies tend to scratch. Use mild soap to wash the skin thoroughly before applying any medication or lotion.

Use a cold compress

If the affected area is itchy and swollen, a quick remedy can consist of an ice pack applied to the area. The cool temperature helps relieve any swelling, as well as temporarily eases any itchiness.

Use calamine lotion

Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide, which helps relieve itching. It also has antiseptic properties to help prevent the bites from getting infected. Some preparations are also available in combination with other anti-itch medications for a stronger effect.

Apply an anti-inflammatory cream

You can use topical creams like 1% hydrocortisone on your baby. Hydrocortisone and similar medications are effective in treating swelling due to skin conditions and even insect bites. They are readily available over-the-counter from a pharmacy.

Note that using steroid creams are only advisable when the swelling gets severe, because even if they are safe to use, it’s best to use them only after trying other medications due to their potency. Also, use these creams only for a limited period to avoid any reactions from the sudden termination of their use.

Give your baby anti-allergy medication

Certain anti-allergy drugs like Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton are also helpful in relieving the itching caused by flea bites. These drugs are available in syrup form for babies and children and can be given in a small oral dose, depending on your baby’s weight and age. Check the label for information on how much to give.

Apply some essential oils

Dilute a little tea tree oil in a carrier oil or lotion. Dab it on the flea-bitten areas. This can help relieve the swelling and prevent any bacterial infections. Other topical preparations containing peppermint, basil or lavender oils can help as well. These oils help calm and soothe the irritation and itching.

Try aloe vera

Famous for its skin moisturizing properties, aloe vera also contains active compounds that help relieve itchiness and pain. It is available in various topical forms, such as lotion or ointment, and can help soothe and soften the skin to promote healing.

Prevent any further bites

Treatment for flea bites is not complete without taking measures to prevent any future occurrences. Apply insect repellent sprays or lotions to your baby’s clothing as well as bed sheets and blankets. Commercial repellents contain a chemical called permethrin, which works well to prevent fleas and other insects from getting onto beds, mattresses, sheets and sleeping bags.

If you prefer natural repellents, citronella oil and neem oil work well. When applying insect repellents to the body, make sure to avoid any areas near the mouth and eyes as well as their hands since they might suck their fingers or rub their eyes.

Eliminate fleas on your pets with flea shampoo and medication, and keep your physical surroundings clean.

To keep your babies and yourself safe, get rid of any chances of future flea infestations. Prevention is the best cure. Call the experts if the situation is beyond your ability.

To sum up

Flea bites usually appear as red, sometimes swollen spots on the skin. If you have a cat or dog at home, chances are that some red bumps on the skin appearing in clusters are due to fleas. Though not always harmful, these are very itchy and can cause great discomfort, especially for children and babies. Scratching these bites may also lead to skin infections and blistering, so it’s important to know how to treat flea bites on babies. The recommended tips on how to treat flea bites on babies will help you keep your baby as comfortable as possible.

Thanks for reading!

What happen when a flea infestation hits? Usually, you’ll be willing to try all possible treatments. Some of them might protect your cats when the others seem not to work effectively. It can be terribly confusing! It is not easy to choose the most practical ways of treating and preventing a flea infestation. In this article – “how to get rid of fleas on cats fast”, we’ll together have a look at some effective treatments to keep you safe from this nightmare of fleas.

Fleas really can be a problem, and they are not something you want in your home, given the choice. A flea infestation can destroy your tranquil days. They not only cause annoying symptoms such as itching and allergies, but they are also the root cause root of diseases threatening your pets, such as tapeworm and anaemia. That’s why it’s a good idea to nip a flea infestation in the bud with the tips and advice below.

Signs Of A Flea Infestation

The first and the most important thing is to recognize a flea infestation as soon as possible. It is important to minimize the consequences since fleas have an amazing lifecycle, which is very, very short. Pet owners are usually confused about how to get rid of fleas on cats fast. They have very little knowledge and information about fleas. As a result, when they do become aware of fleas on their pets, it’s sometimes too late.

In fact, every flea infestation has its own signs that owners can see by observing the daily habits of their pets. These four signals are the most common ones: itching, scratching, flecks and skin allergies.

Preparation For A Urgent Treatment

The next time you see your cats scratching or notice some dirty flecks together with an allergy on their skin, it probably is a flea attack. It’s important to take immediate action to prevent it from becoming worse. Fleas are not easy to completely eradicate, but the longer you leave them, the more difficult and expensive it’s going to be.

You’ll need to vacuum the house, comb your pets, do some serious cleaning, and purchase some flea products for cats as flea shampoo, and flea medicine. It’s a good idea to enlist the support and advice of your veterinarian too.

Treatments For Cats

We all know that cats are the host of fleas. So, to answer the question: “how to get rid of fleas on cats fast”, we must make use of medical products to treat the cats and use cleaning products for them as well.

Flea Products For Cats

There are many available medicinal flea products for cats. They have their own usage and effectiveness. Most common are topical treatments, such as shampoo, powder, and sprays. Collars are available which are impregnated with flea repellent. You can use the topical product directly on your cats’ skin and it will work quite quickly.

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There are a few things you should look out for: topical products are mostly chemical, which means that they can be toxic. Owners who do not keep to the required dosage and use them in excess can easily get into serious trouble. Instead of healing their animals, they will be unintentionally making the flea infestation worse and may be poisoning their pets.

Cleaning Cats

Medication can reduce the number of fleas, but there may still be traces of them left on their fur and skin. The second step helps us solve this. This is to clean the cats – an important step to solve the problem: “how to get rid of fleas on cats fast”. Some people use a vacuum on their cats, but most of them do not like the noise.

Via: www.petmd.com

A better way is to try to clean them with a fine-toothed comb. It is recommended that you prepare a glass of soapy water. Soapy water will kill any fleas left alive after the medicinal treatment. You should dip the flea comb into the water after each time you pull the comb through your cats’ fur. Remember to separate the cats that have already been combed from those who haven’t yet been done.

Prevention For House And Garden

Followed thoroughly, the two steps above are very simple as well as effective. But killing the existing fleas is not enough. Prevention is better than cure. So the third step is a preventative one. Cats like to go outside and sometimes cover quite a large territory. Fleas are able to exist far away from cats and pets for 150 days (about 5 months). They usually survive in warm, shady, humid places, such as under trees, in leaf piles, and in sheds. These are exactly the kind of places where cats like to play and hunt. Because of this, we need to take measures to eliminate fleas from the yard as well.

Firstly, keep your house immaculately clean (or you can use a be​st electronic pest repeller to get rid of fleas). Houses have many dark crevices and nooks: under the bed, along the floorboards, under blankets, and under furniture. These are places that more than half of all flea egg will be deposited in. They need just a day to develop and form flea larvae, and a week to become adults.

Once they have reached the adult stage, they almost seem to have superpowers! They can jump a distance of 33 centimeters (about 80 times more than their own length). If a cat passes by, it is no difficulty at all for the flea to jump onto it. Unfortunately, many people do not realize this and are not aware of how important it is to thoroughly clean their house.

Next, we tackle the yard. Remember to keep the grass cut short and to clear away any garden refuse. Besides this, according to fleabits.com, you can also use oral medications and nematodes, which are biological methods of eliminating fleas from your yard within a day. Nematodes are a type of natural enemy of fleas. The yard outside is an ideal environment for both nematodes and fleas, so the number of fleas will be controlled effectively if you bring nematodes in.

To Sum Up

Cats are one of the most sensitive pets to fleas. Once your cats get fleas, they not only have to face the annoyance of itching and allergies, but they may also contract some dangerous diseases. However, fleas can be stopped and we can keep our pets safe from them. After exploring the three treatments above, I hope that I’ve helped you to answer the question “How to get rid of fleas on cats fast?” and that you’ve gained some have valuable knowledge as a pet owner.

Thanks for reading!