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Fleas In Vehicles
Fleas get in to the upholstery and carpet of your vehicle when you take
your pets for a ride and if you park on a flea infested yard or other area, they can be transported
inside the vehicle by a person simply getting in it. These fleas and their eggs can drop off you or your pet,
and land on your vehicles upholstery. Getting rid
of fleas in your vehicles is a two-step process. First, you must be sure
that your car is free of fleas and then rid your pet of these annoying
critters. If you do not get rid of the fleas on your pet, then you can
re-infest your car all over again.
To aid in keeping your vehicles flea free, vacuum your vehicles carpet and
upholstery regularly.
This would ensure that fleas at any stage in
their life cycle do not escape. If you resort to soaping or shampooing this
is a better idea as soap kills fleas. However, if the flea problem is
severe in your vehicle, vacuum cleaning and steam cleaning does not
solve the problem entirely. Eggs survive steam cleaning and some larvae
escape vacuum cleaning by sticking to carpet fibers, if this is the case,
then you must use insecticides.
The same method used for cleaning carpets in the home applies to cars
as well. The borate-based desiccants keep away fleas for up to one full
year. Apply the powder all over your car's carpet and upholstery. Do
not vacuum; leave it alone for 3-5 weeks. After which you may vacuum to
rid your vehicle from the dead fleas and of course larvae and eggs. At
the end of the three weeks, all the fleas will be dead and can easily be
vacuumed away. Use a disposable dust bag to collect the dust and dead
fleas and seal it before discarding it in the thrash can outside your
home.
The use of natural insecticides like pyrethrum on car carpets is also
very effective. Apply the powders as instructed on the label. Let the
powder stay for the time mentioned on the label. Then vacuum the carpet
as usual.
To ensure that you keep your vehicles flea free, give your pets a bath
with flea shampoo as directed. Use a flea comb regularly to comb the
fleas away. Collect the fleas that drop off while combing. Put them in a
bowl of soap and flush the water down the sink. Use desiccants if the
flea problem is severe on your pets. You may take your pet to a vet who
would prescribe Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) sprays or foggers and
prescription only IGR systemic products. You may also use desiccants:
Diatomaceous Earth and Boron. Desiccants are considered effective and
inexpensive. Before using them, you should talk with your veterinarian. Be
careful when using any insecticides and keep them away from children.
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