Fleas are a pest that can infest your home and cause irritation to both you and your pets. If you have noticed small red, itchy bumps on your skin and black spots jumping around your home, chances are you have fleas. While pets are often the source of fleas, they can also be brought into the house on clothing or shoes. Regardless of how the fleas got there, it is important to know how to get rid of them.
Pine-Sol is a cleaner that is effective at killing fleas and is an excellent multi-purpose disinfectant that can be used on different surfaces. Pine-Sol can kill most germs, and just as importantly, it can kill fleas at every stage of their lifecycle. Pine-Sol contains a combination of ingredients that are toxic to fleas and some other insects, though it is not classified as an insecticide. Also, it contains pine or eucalyptus oil, which gives the cleaner a fresh scent and repels certain insects.
Pine-Sol is safe for use when it is diluted according to the manufacturer instructions. Follow these guidelines at all times and avoid saturating the surfaces where your pets spend a lot of time or where food and water bowls are kept. It is also essential to keep pets away from the cleansed area until it has completely dried. Pine-Sol should not be used on pets, since it contains ingredients that are toxic to animals, and which can cause irritation or illness if ingested or comes into contact with their skin.
If you find fleas in your house, it is necessary to treat all three places simultaneously: pets, house, and the yard. Speak to your vet about the best way to treat and control fleas on your pets. There are flea and tick shampoos specifically formulated for dogs and cats, which are available at pet stores, and your vet could recommend the best one for your pet. Also, there are flea treatments that come as liquid drops to be applied to the back of your pet’s neck, or oral tablets that are taken by your pet. There are also flea collars that last up to several months. Ensure that the flea treatment is labeled as safe for your pet, and consult with your veterinarian to discuss other treatment options that may be appropriate.
In addition to treating your pets for fleas, it is important to thoroughly clean your house and yard to prevent re-infestation. Mop all surfaces in your house where your pets don’t hang out, paying careful attention to cracks, crevices, and hard-to-reach spaces where fleas might be hiding. Pine-Sol can be used on most surfaces, including wooden floors, carpeted floors, and ceramic tiles. Be sure to dilute the Pine-Sol according to the manufacturer instructions, and mix it with your regular floor cleaner.
Carpets and upholstery can trap flea eggs and larvae, so be sure to shampoo carpets with 1/8 cup of Pine-Sol added to the rinse water. Hard surfaces, such as cement patios or sidewalks, also need treatment. When using Pine-Sol outdoors, it is important to keep your pets away from the treated area until it has dried.
In conclusion, Pine-Sol is an effective and readily available cleaner that can be used to get rid of fleas in many surfaces throughout your home and yard. Although it is not an insecticide, its ingredients repel and kill fleas at every stage of their life cycle. Always use Pine-Sol as directed and diluted to the manufacturer instructions, and never use it directly on your pets. Consult with your veterinarian for an appropriate flea treatment for your pet, and take all necessary precautions to prevent flea re-infestation.
