Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen. Don’t scratch your flea bites. You risk breaking your skin and exposing yourself to infection. If you accidentally break your skin, keep the area clean by washing it with soap and water and covering your flea bites with a bandage. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have an infected flea bite.

Once you have spotted fleas on your pets you will likely be wondering how to get rid of fleas in the house fast. There are a few ways to instantly reduce the severity of the flea infestation in your home, but it is likely you will need a longer-term method to get rid of them for good. Fleas love to inhabit neglected gardens waiting to jump onto your pets and be carried into your home. That is why keeping fleas out of your outside space is essential.

Grooming helps spot fleas and ticks

Hydrocortisone: Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid combined with an anesthetic pain reliever. It relieves itching and swelling. You can apply it directly to your flea bite as a cream or ointment. Fleas are adept at escaping your clutches. They are small and can jump up to 13 inches, making them hard to catch. There may be a grain of truth in this myth, as some of these plants such as Chrysanthemums are used in part in natural insecticides. However, how effective they actually are as flea repellents sat in pots on the patio or in the house is debatable. Caution: Do not inhale product. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if tamper evidence seal is missing or broken.

You may have additional side effects if you’re allergic to fleas or have a strong reaction to the bites. Symptoms include: Flea dirt is primarily made up of the host’s blood. Fleas with a host nearby consume much more blood than they need to survive daily. Fleas often excrete while biting and may release 10 or more drops of flea dirt while they feed. Pet scratching If you prefer natural remedies, make a strong solution by adding two cups of rosemary leaves to hot water. Allow the mixture to cool down and use it to spray, rinse, or soak your pet. Find out, or ask your vet, how regularly you need to apply flea treatment, and mark it on your calendar. Record the name of the product, the pet you applied it to if you have more than one, and the date when the next dose is due. It’s important to apply the treatment on the date it’s due, and not early or late, as this can result in your dog being either over-medicated or not protected against fleas. Antihistamines: Antihistamines are a popular flea bite treatment. Histamine is a chemical created by your immune system. Your body releases histamine after it encounters an allergen. Histamine is what makes flea bites itch. You can take an antihistamine as a pill, or you can apply it directly to your flea bite as a cream or ointment.Preventative health care can help to save money in the long term by reducing the risk of certain diseases and help prevent problems in the future. Kill fleas with an oral prescription. While topicals affect fleas directly, oral pills or chewables (like Bravecto and Capstar) get into fleas after they bite your pet. Using a strong vacuum on any soft furnishings, flooring and beds (including pet beds). After vacuuming, ensure you throw away the dust in an outside bin.

It can be difficult to get rid of a flea infestation and fleas can cause your pet real discomfort. It’s always best to prevent fleas by regularly giving your pet a suitable flea treatment. Flea Repelling Plants - The final 'old wives tale' about natural remedies to get rid of fleas is enlisting the help of a range of specific plants to help repel these biting insects. Certain plants contain particular oils, compounds, and chemicals which fleas dislike and will try and avoid. Using these plants around your home in flower pots and flower beds is suggested as a natural home remedy for fleas. Plants that keep fleas away: Whether your pet has paws or claws, Flea Away enhances your pet's quality of life.We recommend 30 days for effectiveness. Top Tip: Pets with fleas can also develop tapeworm, which is carried by fleas. Pets groom and swallow fleas with tapeworm eggs inside as part of the tapeworm lifecycle and these then develop into worms in your pet’s gut. If your pet has had fleas, use a worming treatment that covers for tapeworms as well as flea treatments.

Flea treatment 

Baking soda and salt can eliminate fleas. Simply spread these powders over your carpets and leave them there all night. You can then hoover the next morning to remove dehydrated flea eggs and larvae. Baking Soda - For this flea home remedy to work, the saying goes that you need to lay down baking soda along your carpets and furniture, take a hard brush and rub it into the fabric. After that, vacuum your home thoroughly and empty the contents of the vacuum into a bag and place securely in an outside rubbish bin.In fact, with both the baking soda and the salt 'old wives tales' the factor that actually does have a positive effect on removing fleas, is thorough and persistent vacuuming throughout your property.

Whether your pet’s never had fleas and you want to keep it that way or your pet is suffering from a flea infestation, visit your vet to get advice on the best way to get on the right medication to prevent or treat the problem. Only adult fleas live on your pet but the eggs are in the environment. This is why, if your pets have fleas you must treat and clean your house as well. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Collect all bedding, throws, rugs and clothing and wash them in soapy water - washing liquid will do. The soapy water is known to kill the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Flea Away®is also safe for both nursing mothers and their litter. We are made to FDA standards and are essentially water-soluble vitamins. If your pet accidentally consumes more than the recommended dosage, the product will simply pass through your pet's system.The remaining flea larvae can be dealt with by having the carpets steam-cleaned. You could also shampoo your carpet with insecticidal shampoo or have a pest control expert professionally apply an infrared heat treatment to the carpet, which kills all stages of fleas. However, this type of treatment is costly. Flea shampoo: Soak your pet in warm water and thoroughly apply a flea shampoo. Avoid getting shampoo in your pet’s eyes and mouth. In the worst cases they can make your pet seriously ill. Fleas feed on your pet’s blood so a very young, old or unwell pet can become dangerously anaemic if they become heavily infested with fleas. Vacuum: Use a strong vacuum to thoroughly clean your carpets, rugs and fabric furniture. When you finish, immediately empty the vacuum’s contents into a bag, seal it and throw it away outside. While chemical treatments can be very effective in the war against fleas, it is possible to learn how to get rid of fleas naturally. Here are a few solutions: