If summer is your favorite season, you’re probably looking forward to hot sunny days, pool time, and fresh produce from the farmer’s market. But no one looks forward to “flea season”. While your pet can pick up fleas at any time of year, summer is often the prime time for this particular pest control problem. And once they get into your house, fleas can be difficult to eradicate.
So, like many other problems, prevention is really the best “medicine” for fleas. Take these steps to ward off fleas in your yard, on your pet, and in your home this summer.
Treat your pet. This really is your first and most important line of defense. Because fleas will usually enter your home by hitching a ride on your dog or cat, you should take extra care that your pet doesn’t pick up any fleas in the first place. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions precisely, and treat your pet for fleas on a regular basis. Remember, also, that treating your pet for fleas will also help to ward off certain diseases that are carried by fleas.
Include flea-repelling plants in your garden. It’s not a guaranteed anti-flea remedy, but certain plants are known to repel fleas. Including them in your garden beds could discourage a large population from choosing your yard as their next hotspot. Plants that repel fleas include:
- Fleawort
- Fleabane Daisy
- Citronella
- Chamomile
- Eucalyptus
- Chrysanthemums
- Lavendar
- Catnip (and your cat will love it too!)
- Mint
- Lemongrass
- Marigolds
- Sage
- Rue
- Rosemary
- Sweet Bay
- Tansy Ragwood
- Wormwood
There’s no need to go wild and plant all of these; pick just one or a few that you would enjoy anyway.
Wash pet bedding regularly. Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water to remove any eggs that might be hanging around in the material.
Vacuum regularly. Pay attention to cracks and crevices where eggs could be lurking, and focus on areas of the home where your pet spends most of their time.
Call us at the FIRST sign of a problem. Once your pet has fleas, so does your home. Since fleas are so tiny and difficult to eradicate, you want to hit them hard at the very first sign of a problem. Give us a call, and we’ll explain all of your treatment options.