New research has suggested that the simple use of a vacuum cleaner will dramatically reduce a flea infestation simply through the physical a...
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Chances are, if you have ever owned a pet cat or dog, you will have encountered fleas at some point. In most situations, flea infestations are small and therefore, are one of the easier pests to eradicate.
Fleas spread diseases, can transmit worms, and can cause discomfort and allergic reactions in your pets. In addition, they do not discriminate between hosts and will happily use you as a meal if they are hungry.
Good housekeeping is often cited as being an important factor in the removal of fleas, and new research has supported this theory by prooving that the use of a standard vacuum cleaner can kill fleas just as well as any poison.
As many as 96 percent of adult fleas and 100 percent of juvenile fleas can be killed by your hoover, and no matter which vacuum cleaner you have, it is likely that the fleas will endure a one-way trip. The reason for this is that the vacuum brushes wear away a waxy outer layer on the insects, and without it, the fleas, larvae and pupae probably dry up and die.
So, there is no need to worry that your vacuum cleaner bag may turn into a fleabag breeding ground for these pesky biting creatures. It appears that the physical abuse that your vacuum cleaner inflicts on the average flea will cause it to die from its injuries.
The study was conducted on the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), the most common type of flea found in households, and was re-run a number of times to ensure that the results were accurate.
There are all kinds of ways to manage a flea problem, but how you feel about insecticides and how much money you want to spend factors into what you're going to do for flea control. Vacuuming is a great strategy because it involves no chemicals and physically removes the problem.
Of course, keeping your home flea-free is made almost impossible as both cats and dogs are experts at picking up fleas from other animals with apparent ease. But by employing good housekeeping methods you can keep the presence of fleas down to a minimum.