Like most things in life, preparation is key. That’s why it’s always a good idea to use a preventive flea medication all year round to help reduce the risk of your pet getting fleas. Using preventive medicines will stop your pet and your house from becoming infested because once the small creepies have taken up residence, they can be difficult to get rid of.
However, if you prefer not to use a year-round preventive option or if you want to take further action before the fleas come out of hiding, read on to find out how you can get your pet and home ready for flea season!
1) Time for a spring clean!
Fleas are known to love the warmer weather, so springtime is the best time to start preparing for flea season. The first step in preparing for the season is to clean your house thoroughly. Be sure to keep your house clean and vacuumed and consider using a flea treatment for your home to stop those pesky creepy crawlies from invading! Using a flea prevention home spray will create a sticky barrier that stops all stages of the flea cycle.
2) Wash your pet’s bedding
Wash your pet’s bed and any blankets they use with hot, soapy water to keep them clean and prevent infestations. The soapy water will kill any fleas or larvae that might have made themselves comfortable in the bedding and when the water is combined with certain scents like citrus, it repels fleas from setting up home and laying their eggs.
3) A spot of gardening
Make sure you stay on top of your garden; cut the grass regularly so it doesn’t grow too long and trim any bushes or hedges. Fleas like woody, overgrown areas, so keeping your garden tidy will prevent them from hiding out ready to jump on your pet!
4) Groom and bathe your pet
Regularly grooming and bathing your pet with a specially formulated shampoo can stop fleas or larvae living on your fur baby unnoticed. Always check behind your pet’s ears, head, neck, and between their toes after walks. You should be able to feel a lump if a tick is present. Using shampoos like Bob Martin Clear Flea Shampoo for dogs and puppies repels both fleas and ticks, whilst also keeping their coat fresh and clean. While cats may be harder to bathe regularly, using a Flea and Tick Repellent Collar will help keep fleas away!
5) Frequently use a fine-toothed flea comb on your pet.
Similar to when you were a child and your mum used to get the ‘nit comb’ out, use a fine-toothed comb on your pet to comb their fur. Pluck some of the hair and debris from the comb and press it between a dampened tissue. If the debris leaves red spots on the tissue this is the flea’s dirt, small black flakes made up of flea droppings (their blood and faeces) that can appear in your pet’s fur, which means your pet has fleas. If you do discover that your pet has fleas use a flea treatment right away to stop any irritation or further spread within your home. Our flea treatment for cats or flea treatment for dogs can kill fleas and ticks within 48 hours.
Do you have any tips or tricks for keeping fleas and ticks at bay? Head over to our social pages to tell us more!