How to Kill Fleas on Contact

Happiness comes with pet ownership, but there are also potential negatives. Fleas, for instance, are an undesirable aspect that can seemingly appear from nowhere. One flea that hitches a ride on your pet can easily turn into thousands, quickly infesting your home. In addition to being a nuisance to you and your pets, fleas can also result in allergic reactions that can cost you money and cause other problems. When killing fleas, the most desirable action is to kill them on contact and prevent any eggs or larvae from reaching adulthood. While there are numerous ways to kill fleas, it is important to understand what treatments are safest for your pets and how quickly they get the job done.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Spot-on adulticides
• Vacuum cleaner
• Flea control spray

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Instructions

• 1

  Bathe your pet. According to the Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), mild soaps are a simple and safe way to kill fleas immediately off of your pet. Wash your pet thoroughly from head to tail, using caution to avoid getting soap in its eyes, and rinse completely with warm water. Leave your pet with a family member or friend until your home has been treated for fleas.

• 2

  Vacuum your carpet on a routine basis. According to a test done by Ohio State, vacuuming your carpet will kill fleas on contact. During the testing, 96 percent of adult fleas and 100 percent of young fleas died during the vacuuming process. Another way to ensure the immediate death of fleas on your floor is by steam cleaning all rugs and carpets.

• 3

  Treat your carpets and pet bedding with a carpet spray adulticide. Before you begin spraying, open the windows for proper ventilation. Spray the floor, corners and any areas where your pet generally sleeps or plays. Wait for the spray to dry completely before allowing your pet, children or anyone to return to the area that has been sprayed.

• 4

  Apply spot-on adulticides between the shoulder blades of your pet once a month. Your pet's natural oils help the treatment to spread and kills the adult fleas on contact. It is important to apply the correct form of spot-on treatment for the specific type of animal as spot-on treatments for dogs can be dangerous and even deadly for cats, kittens or puppies. Wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after applying the treatment to your pet.