Things to Kill Fleas

Fleas are one of the most pesky insects. Because of the timing of their life cycle, it's possible to kill every last flea on your pet and property and still see them return months later. For this reason, it's important to kill not only the adult fleas but all the life cycles: the eggs, larvae and pupae.

  1. Home and Yard Infestations

    • Carpets are a favorite spot of fleas to lay their eggs, and just one adult female can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Regular vacuuming and mopping all are quite effective in removing fleas in all life cycles inside the home. However, some larvae and pupae can remain stuck to carpet fibers or in tiny cracks along baseboards and thresholds. And, of course, you cannot vacuum your backyard. In this case, diatomaceous earth is an appropriate all-natural insecticide. It is essentially a powder made from crushed rock. It kills fleas (and other insects) by scratching their exoskeletons as they crawl over it, causing them to leak water, dehydrate and die. Humans and pets are not affected by it, so it's a nonchemical solution that can be used both in and outside the home.

    Flea Collars

    • Flea collars slowly release an insecticide over weeks or months. There are now more effective ways of flea control, and a pet that manages to chew on a collar that has slipped off can become very sick or die. Since they work primarily on the front half of the animal's body, collars are generally recommended only for outside pet tick control, as ticks primarily attack the neck and ear area of animals.

    Monthly Drops

    • Topical administration of drugs, such as Frontline, Advantage and Revolution, is the preferred method of flea control on animals. They are absorbed into the skin and provide monthly protection against fleas, and sometimes ticks, by poisoning them when they bite into the animal. Always ensure you select the correct medication according to the size of your dog or cat.

    Flea Baths/Dips

    • Flea baths work mainly by drowning the fleas on your pet. For the most part, they do not have long-term effects. If you select a bath or dip that contains chemicals, follow all label directions exactly. They are not a great choice for cats, not only because most cats hate baths, but also because cats lick and groom themselves constantly and can ingest the chemicals this way. When bathing your animal, apply the solution to the neck and around the ears first, so the fleas do not try to escape to this area when you saturate the rest of the body.

    Internal Repellents

    • There are many over-the-counter internal products available from your local pet store. These are excreted through the skin and ingested by the biting flea. While internal medications do not actually kill the fleas, they cause the females to lay "dud" eggs that will not develop into more fleas, which can eventually kill the population.