Don’t blame yourself. You did everything you could. You bathed them. You gave them treatments. You kept an eye on them when they went outside. Yet despite all this vigilance, your cat or dog managed to pick up some fleas. Then these frustrating hitchhikers went one step further – they took over your house! Show
At first, getting rid of fleas inside the home can seem like a daunting task, but don’t give up. With some persistence and the right tools, you can end a flea infestation in just a few days. Recognizing a Flea InfestationIf you’re worried about fleas in your house, there are a number of ways to detect an infestation so you know to take further action.
Flea Bites in HumansIf the fleas in your home can’t get all they need to eat from your pets, then they turn to the next most accessible warm-blooded mammal in the house – you! You definitely don’t want to be part of their diet, either. If you get bitten, expect the site of the bite to redden and grow itchy. Even worse, flea bites can trigger allergic reactions in many people, which will exaggerate the itchiness even more. Look for flea bites below the knees and in clusters as the flea moves around your skin. Ankles and feet are an especially common location for bites. Your forearms may also exhibit flea bites too – they’ll hop on you when petting your cat or dog. In rare cases, flea bites can also transmit diseases, bacteria or viral infections. The most well-known flea-borne disease, the bubonic plague, is responsible for about 100 deaths each year across the globe. Most scientists also believe the bubonic plague was the disease that caused the Black Death, an epidemic that killed about 50 million people in the 14th century. Yikes! How to Get Rid of Fleas in the HomeIf you’re looking for a non-poisonous and odorless flea killer, then the TERRO® Flea Trap may be the solution you’ve been seeking. Why are fleas so eager to investigate the TERRO® Flea Trap? Adult fleas sense heat, which to them indicates a warm-blooded animal that they typically use as a host. By simulating the warmth of the host, the flea trap attracts fleas from where they live and hide. When the fleas jump toward the heat in an attempt to feast on their “host,” they instead find themselves stuck to the glue board, unable to escape. This innovative trap is especially useful for luring fleas away from upholstery and out of carpets. Since there are no chemicals and the glue pad is held inside a simple container, the TERRO® Flea Trap is also safe to use when pets and children are present. Leave it active overnight for the best results! Other options for flea treatment in the home include powder-based insect killers.
Flea Control for PetsOnce you have the infestation under control, it’s time to turn your attention back to the pets who probably introduced the fleas to your home in the first place. Over the years, veterinarians have developed a variety of options for dealing with fleas on cats and dogs. Unfortunately, these options all have their own disadvantages, too.
Your Battle with FleasDid you just discover the flea problem inside your home? Let us know what you did to get rid of fleas in the house when you visit Safer® Brand on Facebook, where you’ll find a whole community dedicated to living life better, including those seeking organic flea control solutions! For more eco-friendly ideas from Safer® Brand, be sure to subscribe to the E-Newsletter to be the first to know about new products and promotions, plus get helpful articles and advice delivered right to your inbox.
Fleas are attracted to heat and light. It’s one reason why they love harboring on our furry friends and why they also get into your skin. These same attractants can be used to trick them into their death. In the same vein, knowing how to attract fleas to one spot is possible using simple traps.
For this post, we will discuss how to use flea traps, how to increase its effects, and what commercial options you can purchase. What attracts fleas?Various things attract fleas depending on what life stage they are in. Usually, fleas love warmth – our skin for one. To give you a better image of the flea attractants, here are the most common examples: *Relative warmthFleas love warmer climates which is why they tend to prosper during summer or spring seasons. Also, they love body heat. It’s the reason why fleas harbor on pets, and since furry animals have thicker hair than humans, it’s much easier for fleas to stick around. When it comes to humans, flea bites may also happen since our bodies release heat. However, fleas tend to prefer a specific person/s within a household. There’s no solid explanation for this. Still, it’s believed that it could be due to the fact that humans release different scents. Overall, fleas prefer an environment with temperatures of above 65F but not higher than 95F. If your home has a colder temperature, there’s a chance that the fleas will hide on your carpets and rugs. Once they detect a warm host, they will transfer or take a ride. *Carbon dioxideFleas are attracted to carbon dioxide, the gas that warm-blooded organisms produce. It’s also the same reason why fleas prefer a specific person over other members of the household. If the person produces more CO2 than others, he or she may be peppered with bites. Aside from carbon dioxide, fleas also love movement since it produces heat. Try wearing white socks, rub your feet together, and place it on top of an infested carpet. Fleas will start to crawl in a matter of minutes. *DarknessFlea larvae and eggs tend to seek darkness. This is so they will be hidden out of plain sight. Such a thing will borrow them time to become a pupa and reach adulthood. Once the fleas reach adulthood, they will seek out a host. Take note that a newly sprung flea will die if it doesn’t find a host to feed on right away. More things will attract fleas. As long as you have furry pets, the risk of fleas will remain high. In addition, your pets itself are attractants of fleas. Using flea trapsOne of the leading ways on how to attract fleas to one spot is by placing traps. Such traps have one thing that an adult flea loves to seek: heat. Aside from a heat source, the trap is also equipped with sticky padding. So when the flea jumps into it, the insect will be trapped to death. Flea traps are an excellent way to divert the fleas off your skin and your pets. It’s also part of a bigger flea control effort. Since traps are physical items, you need to ensure that your pets won’t chew on it or disturb the installation. With fleas being possible carriers of plague and typhus, traps play a vital role in reducing the health impact of fleas to both humans and pets. Are flea traps effective?If we’re talking about attracting fleas, traps are very helpful. Fleas will get stuck on the sticky surface. Since they can’t feed, the fleas will also die in the process. Some flea traps also have poisonous substances that will kill the pest upon contact. Take note that flea traps are only effective to some extent. It’s not the sole solution to your flea bites, let alone the infestation that’s taking place in your home. Also, flea traps are made to remove fleas in certain areas alone, say a room or a lounge. It should be paired with other extermination and repellent methods to ensure that you’ll annihilate the fleas. Does it work outdoors?Most flea traps made for household use are fit for indoor purposes. The main reason is its small size and somewhat fragile construction. Although you can still use it outdoors, say your shed or patio, you have to place many units to accommodate all the fleas that will jump into it. Take note that once the trap surface becomes filled with fleas, it may not be sticky enough to trap more. When this happens, you can’t maximize the purpose of the trap. How to use flea trapsThe first thing that you have to think about is the location of the traps. It’s best to set it near your bed or your pet’s sleeping spot. This way, the fleas will be attracted to the carbon dioxide emission and be diverted into the nearby heat source. Also, always place multiple traps. Aside from that, watch out for possible hindrances that may stop the fleas from being trapped. If you’re re-using a flea trap, make sure that you refill or change the trap surface. Most manufacturers of flea traps nowadays produce these refills so you wouldn’t have to purchase the traps as a whole. How to Make DIY Flea TrapsIf the infestation on your home is just small and you don’t have the budget for commercial flea traps, you can come up with a makeshift version. Here’s a homemade flea trap that you can create in under five minutes: What you need to do:-Shallow bowls with low sides-Water-Dish soap -Battery-operated tea light candle How to do it:Add some water on each bowl and add some dish soap. Mix it mildly and make sure that dish soap is well distributed all over the bowl. After that, place the bowl near your bed or any spot where you want to trap fleas. When it’s set, place a battery-operated tea light candle beside it. For more heat, it’s best to use multiple lights. What happens here is you get to attract the fleas. Once the fleas jump, they will land into the dish soap bowl and die within minutes. Some reminders: This is a cost-effective choice, but not always ideal if you have pets that roam the house. Your dog or cat may drink from the bowl, tip the bowl, or damage the lights. How to choose a flea trapIf you want to skip the hassle of creating DIY traps, you can always purchase commercial traps. Most of these products are affordable and can be refilled with new sticky pads. Make sure that you look for the following aspects: -HeatIf possible, look for a trap that comes with a tiny bulb. This is the heat source which will attract the fleas into their death. It can either be battery-operated or plugged into an electrical source. This type of traps can lure fleas that are up to 30 feet away. Although you’d have to refill the sticky pads once in a while, you barely have to deal with any mess. -Trap padThe trap pad of most commercially available flea traps is made of a sticky and non-toxic substance that will kill the fleas once they get in contact. In addition, opt for a trap that has replaceable pads instead of one that you have to buy over and over again. -SizeMost commercial flea traps nowadays are of the same size as a plate, sometimes as small as a saucer. It depends on your preference, the area of installation, and the extent of infestation on your home. If the fleas are already massive in population, you need the largest unit available. -EfficacyThe only way to test if the trap works are to read what other buyers have to say about it. Customer reviews are a big help to gauge if the trap will work for you. If you have doubts, you can always ask the seller for warranty or money-back terms if the trap doesn’t work as advertised. –PriceOf course, no one should spend thousands of bucks for flea traps. Since these products are complementary flea control tools, a few bucks should do here. Besides, you’d have to spend on professional extermination if the fleas have spread all over your home. -Non-toxicAlthough flea traps are made to kill fleas, it shouldn’t pose harm to your household. The trap shouldn’t produce any harmful fumes or foul smell. Also, the trap must be pet-friendly. The last thing that you want to happen is an emergency trip to the vet. Additional tipsTo make sure that the traps will work on its full potential, it will help to follow these tips: -Keep your pets awayAs much as possible, don’t let your pets roam around the trap, especially if it has a history of chewing things. Aside from the toxic chemicals on the trap, the parts may also choke them. Even if your pet won’t lick or chew the trap, there’s a chance that it will play on it, causing the trap to be disturbed. -Use multiple trapsIf you want to remove as many fleas as possible, you should place numerous traps all over your home. You should cover more ground. -Protect your skinOnce the traps are in place, it’s best to put on a repellent spray or lotion to ensure that the fleas won’t target your skin. This will also divert them into the trap. Most importantly, it will save you from the itchy bites. -Shield your petJust the same as protecting yourself, you should guard your pets against the fleas. Flea collars are helpful, but you can also give them oral medications as prescribed by a veterinarian. There are also topical flea sprays made specifically for dogs and cats. When to contact a flea expertAgain, flea traps are just one of the helpful solutions to a flea infestation. If the pests are already wreaking havoc inside your home, it’s best to contact a flea expert to assess the problem. The exterminator can pair the traps with more measures that will eliminate the fleas faster. Best Traps for Fleas
Product Name: ASPECTEK Favored-Trapest Sticky Dome Trap Product Description: The ASPECTEK Dome Trap is an electrically-powered tool that can lure fleas from as far as 50 feet away. Inside the trap is a sticky pad that’s large as a plate. You can also purchase replacement pads and store it for up to 12 months, so you’re always ready when an infestation recurs. It comes with a bulb, a cord, dome, and sticky pad. Everything is pre-assembled, so you only have to plug it and leave it. You don’t have to worry since this is RoHS and CE tested with a patented design. If the light bulb gets busted, you can purchase a replacement from ASPECTEK. Offer price: $$$ Availability: InStock
Summary Another big plus for us is the long cord that allows you to place the trap away from the electrical source. Also, it’s safe to put on top of carpets and rugs.
Pros ✔️Non-toxic ✔️RoHS and CE tested ✔️Can lure fleas up to 50 feet away
Cons ❌The bulb tends to burn out fast RUNNER-UPVictor The Ultimate Flea TrapAnother option that you can consider is Victor The Ultimate Flea Trap. It has a ‘super-grabber’ pad and can lure fleas from up to 30 feet away. The package comes with one dome trap and two glue discs/pads. It’s non-poisonous and odorless, so rest assured that the Victor Flea Trap wouldn’t disrupt your household. Like the ASPECTEK trap, this comes fully assembled, so you no longer have to think about anything. Aside from trapping fleas, this also helps detect a flea infestation at home. It costs more than the first product, but its efficiency makes it worth every cent.
Final wordsKnowing how to attract fleas to one spot is both a great way to kill the pest and to detect an infestation. For this, you have the option to make a DIY trap or purchase a commercially available unit so you can skip the hassle. |