Do you have a pet that you love dearly, but can’t seem to get rid of the fleas? Or maybe you’re moving into a new home and want to make sure there are no fleas lurking about. You’ve probably seen those little canisters called “flea bombs” or “total release foggers” while browsing the pest control aisle at your local store. But do they really work? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Flea Bombs?
Flea bombs or flea foggers are aerosol canisters containing insecticides in them. While using the flea fogger, you have to simply release one of them that is inside each regular-sized room to kill the fleas.
It’s important to note that while most TRFs contain pyrethrin or pyrethroids, which are relatively safe for humans and pets, some products may also contain propoxur. Propoxur is an insecticide that’s been linked to cancer in rats and should be avoided.
Usually, five chemicals are responsible for killing the flea. The chemicals included in the canister are:
- Cypermethrin
- Methoprene
- Nylar
- Permethrin
- Tetramethrin
The chemicals also depend on the type of brand you’ve purchased. Each brand contains one or more mentioned active ingredients. They can be potentially dangerous for your pets and yourself. While bombing makes sure to leave home at your earliest.
Do Flea Bombs Work?
Flea bombs or fogger sounds an effective way to deter those pesky flea infestations. Spraying a dense quality of insecticide that is inside the aerosol canister rapidly kills adult fleas and other insects. It is an easy-to-use method, but you, your kids, and your pets should leave home while bombing because the active ingredients can be harmful.
It is an effective solution; however, if it didn’t work, there’s a possibility that you have sprayed lesser bombs in the large areas or the fleas have built up resistance to the insecticide.
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How Long do Fleas Live After Bombing?
To ensure that the fleas are gone, or no flea survives after the bombing, leaving the residue on the floors or carpets for at least fourteen days. Due to pesticides, it takes sometimes or usually a few days to fully eliminate the fleas or die out.
How to Get Rid Of Fleas Without Bombing?
Many people don’t want to use flea bombs and seek other ways to deter those pesky flea infestations. Due to the chemicals of insecticides, people dislike flea bombing or foggers. If you’re one of those people who don’t want to spray chemicals inside the home, don’t worry. We will tell you an effective alternative flea control method.
Let’s discuss it step by step.
1. Treat Your Pet
After fleas overtake your home, the first thing you need to do is treat your pet immediately. You can grab flea and tick prevention medications from the pharmacy, which are easy to apply and keep your pet safe from the veterinarian. It is crucial to treat your furry family members so that they don’t bring fleas into the home.
2. Vacuum Your Carpet
Vacuuming your carpet might not be the best solution, and it’ll not extract all the flea larvae. However, it is useful to capture adult fleas and eggs. Remember that you should use a vacuum with a disposable bag. After vacuuming, take the bag outside to a dumpster or trash can far away from your home. Repeat the vacuuming process constantly for at least two to three weeks, twice or thrice daily. It’ll help to get rid of fleas without bombing.
3. Wash Linens
The next thing you can do to deter those pesky flea infestations away from home is wash all the linens. Wash bed sheets or all bedding, pet beds, toys, and each washable pet item in hot water. You have to do laundry more often than usual, such as washing all the bedding every other day for two weeks or even more. We know this is a daunting process, but yes, you’ve to do it. In this way, you’ll continue killing the fleas that are hatching or the larva growing into adult fleas by washing every washable item in hot water.
4. Use Diatomaceous Earth
You can place diatomaceous earth in various areas of your home to eliminate fleas. The first place you should consider is the garden or yard, whether it’s small or big. Keep the earth in different pots and place it inside your home and around the outside of windows. Fleas hate diatomaceous earth because getting in touch with it will dehydrate them, and dehydration eventually kills those pesky creatures. It is another non-chemical method to kill fleas. The soil can kill the insects and fleas, and you’ll get rid of them.
4. Make Flea Traps
You can trick fleas by making a trap. Or light a bulb over a shallow pan of soapy water during the night. The reason, or we can say the theory behind this trap, is when the fleas get attracted to light and come towards it, they’ll be drowned in the soapy water of the pan. People who have tried this trap found several fleas in the pans in the morning. Remember that this method alone won’t help you get rid of fleas completely. You’ve to use this method combined with any other method mentioned earlier.
Also Read: Recommended Mosquito Repelling Plants
How Do I Get Rid Of Fleas In My House Fast?
Fleas, the smallest pests, don’t live on people, but they can hide in your pets, carpets, or furniture. It’s not easy to control them rapidly; however, you can eliminate them within a month. Some methods kill fleas quickly. Let’s discuss the quick and effective method to get rid of those pesky creatures.
1. Vacuuming Your Home
Vacuuming regularly can help deter fleas at all stages. A vacuum with a brush works well in these situations. Vacuum your entire home and pay attention to the shelter areas like under the bed and where you see the flea dust, which is flea waste. Vacuum the shelves where your pet jumps around. Try to vacuum once a day to eliminate that pesky creature. After finishing the vacuuming, dump the bag away from the home so that any flea cannot escape.
2. Steam Cleaning
A flea can lay 40-50 eggs daily, which can be a huge problem. Steaming can kill fleas and destroy flea eggs. You can rent a steamer from a shop or call steam services provided by professionals. The whole process of steaming is the same as vacuuming. Make sure to steam those areas where your pet goes around, and you see flea dust. The vacuum cannot reach the fibers, but steaming does and kills the larva deep in the fiber. Steam your carpets, rugs, and upholstery at least once a week. Make sure to steam on the small portion to get an idea if it’s causing any discoloration.
3. Use Of Essential Oils
Spraying oils like cinnamon or clove oil to eliminate fleas is effective and natural. Essential oils are toxic for fleas. You can purchase these oils from your nearest pharmacy or online easily. Cinnamon and clove oils are the most effective oils. However, you can also use lavender, cedar, and lemon to kill fleas. Spray a few drops without adding water or diluting the oil near the affected areas. Fleas, when getting in touch with oil, will eventually die.
While spraying essential oil, considers the following things:
- Don’t spray essential oils around pets. They can be toxic for pets; however, they are safe for kids.
- Test on inconspicuous space before applying whether oil is damaging the surface or not.
- Oils may work as a flea repellent as well.
4. Comb Your Pet
Use a fine-toothed comb to comb your pet. It is 50-60% effective in pulling off fleas from your pet. You can get a comb from a pet store specifically designed to get rid of fleas. Push the comb’s teeth into the skin and fur of the pet, and slowly run the comb through your pet’s fur and check. If there is any flea present on the comb, put the comb into the hot or soapy water to get rid of them.
The common areas of the pet where you should pay attention are the back of the neck and around the tail.
5. Keep Your Yard Clean
Another crucial thing to do is to keep maintaining your home garden. When fleas don’t find any place to reside, they’ll go away independently. Get rid of dead grass or debris in your yard so the fleas don’t live. Trim your lawn often so the fleas cannot find any place to hide during the heat.
FAQs
How Long Do You Have To Leave House After Flea Bomb?
You should generally allow at least two to four hours after using a flea bomb before reentering your home. This will give the product enough time to work and will help ensure your safety.
Should I Bomb My House For Fleas?
If you’re dealing with a flea infestation, bombing your house is one way to try to get rid of the pests. However, it’s important to note that this method isn’t always effective and can pose some risks.
Can Fleas Live In Your Bed?
Fleas can live in your bed, but they’re more likely to reside in areas where your pets spend time. If you have a flea problem, be sure to vacuum your bed and wash your bedding regularly.
How Often Should I Bomb For Fleas?
There is no set answer to this question, as it will depend on the severity of your flea infestation. However, it’s generally recommended that you bomb for fleas every two to three months.
Can Fleas Live In Human Hair?
Fleas can live in human hair, but they’re more likely to reside on pets with fur. If you have fleas in your hair, be sure to shampoo regularly and use a nit comb to remove the pests.
How Do I Prepare My House For A Flea Bomb?
When preparing your home for a flea bomb, be sure to vacuum all carpets and upholstered furniture. You should also remove all pets and pet bedding from the area.
Can You Get Rid Of Fleas Without An Exterminator?
There are a number of ways to get rid of fleas without an exterminator, but it’s important to note that these methods may not be as effective as professional flea treatment.
Can I Bug Bomb One Room And Stay In The House?
It’s generally not recommended to bug bomb one room and stay in the house. This is because the chemicals can be harmful if inhaled, and you may not be able to avoid them completely.
Are Fleas More Active At Night?
Fleas are more active at night, but they can bite humans and animals during the day. If you have a flea problem, be sure to vacuum regularly and treat your pets with an anti-flea medication.
Conclusion
Flea bombs, or foggers, as they are sometimes called, can be an effective tool in your fight against fleas. Used correctly, they can help to kill fleas in all stages of their flea life cycle and prevent them from returning.
However, they are not perfect and have some disadvantages that you should be aware of before using them. Overall, they are a great option for getting rid of fleas, but make sure to use them safely and correctly to avoid any problems.
