Why? Because this is the time of year we can win and prevent next year’s infestation.

There are many products that are used to control fleas. Commonly available products include flea collars, powders, sprays, shampoos and flea dips. There are higher powered products meant to kill fleas such as the drops on the back of the neck and even prescriptions that the animal takes which when ingested by the flea (through a bite) alters the DNA so that the flea cannot reproduce.

Many of these products are very strong and can be detrimental to our pets, which is why it is important to get control and keep control of fleas while using as little insecticide as possible. The less of the powerful products used, the safer your pet remains and the safer your household is overall. This is of particular concern to people with allergies, parents with small children, and people who own pets that are allergic to flea-killing products.

So now that December is on us, let’s take those fleas out once and for all. It isn’t going to cost a lot of money. It will take some work on your part; the more pets you have, the more work it will be. But if done successfully, the flea problem you had last summer, which appears to be gone but is only dormant during the winter, will be a problem that is in the past. You can beat it now and it will only take a few days to a couple of weeks.

1. Buy flea shampoo (unless your animal has an allergy to such a product).
2. Buy a flea dip (again not if your pet is allergic to insecticides).
3. Have a vacuum available that uses bags; a bagless vacuum is not going to do what you need right now.
4. Have your washer and dryer empty, with plenty of room to put laundry that is waiting to be washed; be sure that the dirty laundry is well away from the areas of the house your pets are in.
5. Basic laundry products: soap, bleach, softener; use whatever brands you prefer.
6. Large plastic garbage bags you can close tightly
7. One bottle of room flea spray. You can use a fogger if you wish, but again that is a high concentration of insecticide in the air, even after four or more hours. The room flea spray is easier to contain.
8. A flea comb made for cats or dogs, as appropriate and other grooming tools such as a normal comb and brush for your pet.
9. A ton of clean, dry towels, cotton balls, and a full day’s time to devote to your project.

Now pick your day on the calendar. You are ready to go!

Part 2 of this will tell you what to do to become flea free. If you are quite lucky you will accomplish it in one day; most people take a few days, if you have had a heavy infestation the previous summer, or have lots of pets, it will take up to two weeks. But if you follow these instructions faithfully, the cold weather will be your partner in ridding your house and your pets of fleas!