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Fleas In Furniture
Furniture is one major host for adult fleas, eggs and larvae, as dogs
often sit on sofas and chairs, and cats love to sit, walk and sleep on
furniture.
Vacuuming daily is the first option for getting rid of fleas in furniture. When vacuuming,
remove all of the couch and chair cushions and vacuum them as well as under them.
Try to vacuum all the inaccessible areas of the furniture, and do not
forget the areas underneath, using a good quality suction vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning furniture with soap and water comes as next. A good quality
detergent would kill fleas, however, this does not solve the problem
totally, since eggs and larvae hide in inaccessible areas.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth (DE) all over the furniture, using a
protective mask and goggles before spraying the dust. Make sure you blow the (DE) dust
in to crevices and cracks in the furniture. Let the powder remain for a day
or two and then follow up with vacuuming to remove the dead fleas from
the furniture. Seal the disposable vacuum dust bag and dispose it in
the thrash can out side your home. Remember, to take the dust bag
outside, if any fleas are still alive they may find a way out of the bag and
back onto your carpet or furniture.
Borate based powders can also be used to kill fleas. These borate-based
powders help kill fleas and keep them away for up to one full year.
Again, after applying the powder, vacuum the furniture after 5-7 days or
as per the instruction on the insecticide packet.
The best method of removing fleas from furniture is to
combine an adulticide that kills the adult fleas and an insect
development inhibitor (IDI). Killing the adult fleas should be combined with
insect development inhibitor that stops the egg, pupae and larvae from
developing into the next stage of growth. Use insect growth regulators
(IGRs) like Mithoprene and Pyriproxyfen. These have a long residual life
and are very effective in killing flea larvae. In case of using sprays,
wait until the sprays are completely dry before using the furniture. It
is best to avoid using the furniture until they are vacuumed.
All insecticide treatments should be followed by vacuuming. The
insecticides kill adult fleas, larvae and eggs however; the larvae that
survive the insecticide treatment mature within a few weeks to become adults
as per the lifecycle of fleas. That is when vacuuming will remove them
from your furniture.
Therefore, the bottom line is to use spray or dust insecticide that
kills the adult flea as well as eggs, pupae and larvae. Combine
adulticides with IGRs or IDIs. To rid the infestation of fleas in your furniture,
follow it up with daily vacuuming.
Remember, that flea control inside your house is not complete until you
have treated your pet and removed fleas from your lawn and yard. Be
careful when dealing with insecticides and always keep them away from
children. In addition, ask for the help of a professional pest controller
if you have any doubts.
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