Flea dirt is primarily made up of the host’s blood. Fleas with a host nearby consume much more blood than they need to survive daily. Fleas often excrete while biting and may release 10 or more drops of flea dirt while they feed. Pet scratching CSD commonly occurs throughout the world. In moderate climates, more cases occur during the fall and winter seasons. In tropical climates, cases occur throughout the year. Fleas pass on the bacteria _Bartonella _to cats. Fleas can sometimes pass the bacteria to dogs or other animals. Infected cats also pass the bacteria during fights with other cats. Cats — especially kittens — pass the infection to humans through a bite or scratch. Symptoms of CSD include:

Washing Up Liquid - This home flea remedy involves creating a flea trap using washing up liquid and some water. Fill a plate or bowl with a mixture of warm water and dish soap and place it in the rooms of your house which receive the most flea activity. Fleas are irritating and tenacious and have a bad reputation for a number of reasons. Not only are they an unwanted nuisance, but they can also spread diseases. While many of us believe our furry friends are the main source of fleas, in fact, only around 5% of your flea infestation is found on your animals, the rest is scattered throughout your home. The 'old wives tale' says that the water and dish soap solutions act as a glue, trapping the fleas due to the high viscosity of the solution. You should repeat this method with a fresh batch every day. For this flea home remedy to work effectively the 'old wives tale' says it should be conducted at night time.

Lemon Spray - Lemon it is said, can be used in a lot of ways around the house, but aside from being a way to treat wasp stings, it’s also said to be an 'old wives' natural home remedy for fleas. To make this natural lemon remedy flea spray, slice a lemon thinly and add to a pint of water and bring to the boil. Let the citrus solution sit overnight and pour into a spray bottle. Then spray the citrus solution on the infested areas in your home – sofas, pet bedding, chairs etc. Do not soak, only dampen. It may make your home smell fresh and appealing but it is very unlikely to remove a flea infestation . Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Fleas bite both dogs and humans, which can be uncomfortable and itchy. Dogs can develop rashes and skin problems through repeated scratching. They can also be allergic to flea saliva and their skin can become extremely sore, even infected. This can be very distressing for both the dog and their owner. Fleas can also cause other medical conditions such as a reduction of the red blood cells (anaemia) which can be very dangerous.

Fleas that stealthily sneak into your home may remain unnoticed for a while. During this time, they will be breeding and rapidly multiplying in numbers. So, when you do spot evidence of these pesky intruders, the infestation may have already spread throughout your home.

Flea bites typically don’t need treatment. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams or ointments and antihistamines can relieve itchy skin and discomfort. However, see your healthcare provider if more severe symptoms develop after a bite (allergic reaction, fever, headache or body aches). How do I stop flea bites from itching?

Wash the bedding: Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water every few days. Wash your bedding in hot water, too, especially if your pet sleeps with you. Dry the bedding on the highest heat setting. Fleas are adept at escaping your clutches. They are small and can jump up to 13 inches, making them hard to catch. Kill fleas with an oral prescription. While topicals affect fleas directly, oral pills or chewables (like Bravecto and Capstar) get into fleas after they bite your pet.

How to get rid of fleas in the garden

Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water every couple of days. Dry bedding on the highest heat setting after each washing. Make sure any cleaning chemicals or soaps used in the process are pet-friendly.

Comb your pet daily with a flea comb and dispose of any fleas you find in soapy water. Alternatively, you can use a lint roller to pat your animal down. This method works best on short haired animals. Vacuum: Use a strong vacuum to thoroughly clean your carpets, rugs and fabric furniture. When you finish, immediately empty the vacuum’s contents into a bag, seal it and throw it away outside. Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea contains dried chamomile flowers. The dried chamomile flowers contain terpenoids and flavonoids, which are natural chemicals that have antioxidant and antihistamine properties. To treat a flea bite, add a chamomile tea bag to water. Let the tea bag steep for at least 20 minutes until the water is a rich gold-brown color. Remove the tea bag from the water and squeeze the tea bag to remove excess water. Press the tea bag to your flea bites for at least 10 minutes, and then wipe your bites with a clean towel. Put the wet tea bag in a container in your refrigerator so that you can reuse it on your bites throughout the day. There may be a grain of truth in this myth, as some of these plants such as Chrysanthemums are used in part in natural insecticides. However, how effective they actually are as flea repellents sat in pots on the patio or in the house is debatable. Mow your lawn regularly and rake the exposed surfaces thoroughly. Fleas like to hide in tall grass. Make sure to bag the contents rather than add them to your compost pile.

What type of flea product should I get?

The advent of topical flea treatments for pets have made insecticides pretty outdated. Topical prescriptions stop or augment the flea’s reproductive cycle and rapidly kill an infestation. Flea bites most commonly occur on your legs, especially your feet, calves and ankles. Flea bites rarely appear above your knee, unless you spend a lot of time sitting or lying down. What causes a flea bite?