Pest Control With Natural Flea Killers

Pet fleas have become increasingly resistant to the chemicals being produced for their control and therefore flea killer products have become increasingly stronger and more dangerous. As a result of this, pets are suffering extremely. They are chewed on by fleas, and they are used as tests for the chemical warfare being waged. There are many cases of severe poisoning of pets due to the application of chemical flea killer and repellent treatments. There are effective nontoxic ways to kill fleas.

Flea's Lifecycle

First we must understand the flea's lifecycle. The adult flea is a wingless insect equipped with a set of powerful hind legs that enable it to jump thirty inches sideways. The most important thing to know and remember about the flea is that the majority of its life is spent away from the pet. Fleas attack pets only when they need a meal of blood.

A Flea's Eggs

The female prefers to lay eggs not on your pet, but in dark, damp places such as cracks in the floor or a corner of the basement. It takes only a week for eggs to hatch into small, white, toothy-mouthed larvae that feed on feces, debris, hair, and vegetation. Each larvae spins a cocoon and pupates for a period that can range from seven days to a year.

The Different Stages

One pair of adult fleas causes three stages:

  • Egg
  • Larvae
  • Adults

These forms can be present in your home for almost two years! The adult flea feeds by chewing into the pet's flesh until blood appears then it drinks until bloated. Fortunately, a flea does not have to eat often—one meal of blood can keep a flea satisfied for two months.

The Extent Of Infestation

The first step in flea control is to examine your pet to determine the extent of infestation. You will actually be able to see fleas on your pet's skin and hair. Do not rush off to the store and buy the strongest flea killer you can find. Many of today's synthetic insecticides are powerful poisons that had their origin in the development of chemical warfare agents. Many are nerve-paralyzing capable of causing convulsions, nausea, and respiratory arrest in pets as well as fleas.

Diatomaceous Earth

Hidden among the many synthetic pesticides on the market today are natural flea killers and repellents. The first group consists of two varieties of pyrethrin that are derived from the flowers of chrysanthemums. Next is a by-product of the citrus industry and carries a mild, grap-+efruit-like odor. The last of these natural killers and repellents is the safest; Diatomaceous Earth — it is a fossilized algae that resembles chalk dust. The fine, sharp-edged particles attach and penetrate the waxy coating on a flea's exoskeleton, causing the flea to dehydrate and die. Diatomaceous Earth should be sprinkled on clean pet bedding, on carpets, and on the floors in your home. Controlling fleas requires endless attention; it is never a onetime or occasional thing.