You're on vacation for a little while and all you want to do is relax. However, your dog can't stop itching and you begin to as well. What's going on? You may have fleas in your temporary residence. Consider these tips for how to deal with fleas.
Fleas are unseen pests, the Bug Squad noted. You may not know you have them until your dog begins to itch constantly. Once they're on him, it's only a matter of time before they jump to you. Like bed bugs, fleas are travelers. They hop from people to furniture, to pets and back to people. Rental homes are an ideal spot to infest, since so many people are coming and going. Fleas will also hang around outside in places like the garden. Fleas will wiggle into carpets. Once they're in the carpet fibers, they can lay up to 800 eggs at a time. So, a small problem can quickly become a big one if you don't handle it right away.
There are a few quick tips to attempt to get rid of the fleas. If these tips don't work, it's time to call your landlord to get a pest management professional.
Vacuum: One of the quickest ways to get rid of fleas and their eggs is to vacuum thoroughly. This can suck up any eggs that have found their way into your carpet fibers before they hatch. You'll want to use a machine that's steam-based. If you don't have this type of vacuum, you'll need to go over the carpets a few times.
Check bedding: It's important that you check your own bedding as well as your pet's. Fleas are fans of jumping around in these cozy environments and often don't feel like leaving once they've gotten situated. Wash all the sheets and bedding in hot water and throw them in the dryer. This method will kill all living creatures. If the bedding is really soiled, you may need to replace it.
Check the pet: Look for fleas on your pet. He'll most likely have them. Remove all fleas you can find with a fine-toothed comb and a glass of warm water and soap. Be thorough to ensure that you got all the bugs - you don't want to assume he's clean when he's not.
If these tips don't work, tenants should call their landlord. You have the right to safe housing, and a flea infestation could be putting you in danger. If your landlord refuses to call a pest control company, you can file a complaint against him, the San Francisco Chronicle noted.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
