How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Hardwood Or Tile Flooring
You may think that if you don't have carpeting that you're protected from a flea infestation, but the tiny pests can invade hardwood and tile floors as well. If your dog or cat has fleas, it's important to treat all of your home's flooring so that you kill the insects in all four stages -- eggs, larvae, pupae and adult -- of their lifecycles. Treat the flooring while treating your pets with medication to eliminate the flea infestation.
Here's how to get rid of a flea infestation in non-carpeted flooring:
Vacuum the Floors
Adjust your vacuum to the bare flooring setting, which is usually the lowest one, and run the appliance over the floors to suck up any fleas in their various stages. Equip the vacuum with its brush or nozzle attachment to thoroughly reach all corners.
If you have area rugs, vacuum both sides of them as well. After vacuuming, either take the disposable bag off and throw it away immediately, or empty the canister into a sealed bag and wash the part with warm soapy water.
The jarring action of the vacuum cleaner should kill most of the fleas, but you don't want to risk any living and reproducing in the appliance.
Wash the Floors
After vacuuming the hardwood or tile flooring to remove any loose debris, it's time to wash it with warm, soapy water. Add a few drops of a mild dishwashing soap to a sink full or bucket of water and mix.
Use a mop to wash the hardwood or tile floors, making sure to reach the corners of the room as well. The soapy solution will help to remove any remaining fleas. After going over the floors one or two times, rinse them with plain water to remove any soapy residue.
Allow the floors to thoroughly air dry before going on to the next step.
Treat the Floors with Boric Acid or Diatomaceous Earth
Apply either Boric Acid or food-grade diatomaceous earth, both of which are less toxic to children and pets than traditional flea-killing powders. Both powders kill fleas by damaging their fleas' waxy exoskeletons, which results in dehydration.
Sprinkle either powder, not both at once, onto the hardwood or tile floors and allow it to rest for up to 24 hours before vacuuming it up.
Keep children and pets away from the area during the treatment. Repeat the entire process, starting with vacuuming the floors, if the flea infestation isn't gone after two weeks.
To learn more, contact a pest control supply company like ASE Pest & Weed Supplies.