5 simple tips on how to get rid of fleas in the basement

1. Where do parasites live?
2. Why do basement fleas appear in an apartment?
3. Why are basement fleas dangerous?
4. How to destroy basement fleas in an apartment
5. Chemicals for flea control
6. Removing basement fleas from animals
7. How to kill flea larvae
8. Basement treatment
9. Traditional methods for fleas in the apartment
10. Preventive measures

Basement fleas often appear in city apartments. The likelihood of fleas increases if you have dogs or cats. But, as the name of this type of insect suggests, they live in basements. Let's figure out how to get rid of basement fleas in an apartment building.

Where do parasites live?

It is not difficult to guess which places basement fleas prefer. Basements and crawl spaces are not the only habitat for parasites. Insects choose those rooms whose conditions are favorable for reproduction.

Favorable factors for the existence and reproduction of bedbugs:

• warm room, with air temperature +17, +20 °C;
• high humidity (more than 70%);
• bad light;
• accumulation of garbage, household waste, rags.

Where do basement fleas usually live:

• basements;
• sheds;
• country cellars;
• wells;
• heating mains;
• ground floors.

Often insects appear in the house along with rats running from the basement. They enter the apartment by crawling through cracks and cracks in doors and floors. During the warm season, basement fleas live in dirty, abandoned garbage dumps.

Parasites enter the home not only through animals. People can bring fleas on shoes and clothes after throwing out trash. Fleas that appear in the house begin to lay eggs and actively reproduce.

Insects prefer cozy, secluded places. Also, do not forget that fleas can jump to a height of 1.5 meters.

Where do parasites most often live:

• space under carpets and rugs;
• cabinet corners;
• pet bedding.

Unkind acquaintances

Fleas are blood-sucking parasites that multiply quickly, inhabit rooms with conditions suitable for life, and easily pass from the body of animals to people. Cellar fleas are a collective (folk) name that includes several types of fleas, united in the “ordinary” group. These include:

• rat (one of the most dangerous varieties, since rats are carriers of serious diseases);
• felines (often cats, possessed by the hunting instinct, run into the basement and become infected from rats);
• canines (they pick up parasites while walking);
• human (they live on the bodies of tramps and homeless residents who come to spend the night in the basement).

Cellar fleas are the collective name for the most common species of these bloodsuckers

What do basement fleas look like?

The length of the body of the brownish or yellow-brown parasite varies from 1 to 5 mm, and in a female that has drunk blood, it can reach 1 cm. The body of the insect with three pairs of legs is slightly flattened on the sides, but there is a noticeable thickening on the abdomen. Fleas do not have wings, but their strong legs allow them to jump quite high - which is why apartment owners living on the 1st to 3rd floors are at risk if there are fleas in the basement.

Life cycle

Flea eggs are laid on the host's body, in dust, sand, in a warm bird's nest or an animal's bed. Full transformation into an adult insect includes:

• 2 days of egg incubation;
• a week of larval development (during this period, insects feed on decaying remains, including the droppings of adult relatives);
• a week of growth of the pupa (feeling the warmth and vibrations of the animal or human body, it emerges from the cocoon);
• 2–12 months of adult life.

During her life, the female lays from 400 to 1000 eggs.

Fleas develop quite quickly into adults

This is interesting. Fleas are capable of falling into suspended animation under unfavorable conditions, that is, the absence of a host. At the pupal stage, this period sometimes reaches a year.

Lifestyle

Fleas live on the host's body at any time of the year. But a particularly strong infection occurs in the warm season, when animals begin to give birth to offspring and hatch eggs, since during this period, burrows and nests are characterized by an increase in humidity and temperature. Dust and dirt in basements are additional “bonuses” for parasites.

Fleas feed in small doses. Having sucked blood, the insect often leaves its owner in search of a new place of residence, but some species remain faithful to their breadwinner to the end.

Fleas feed in small portions in several meals

Thanks to this unpretentious way of life, fleas are ubiquitous and even inhabit Antarctica, where they terrorize the bodies of penguins.

Why do basement fleas appear in an apartment?

The season for basement fleas to appear in an apartment is summer and autumn. Residents of apartments from the first to the third floor and private houses are subject to unpleasant “neighborhood”.

Parasites move into housing:

• from the basement of a residential building (for example, if a person was in it and got fleas on his clothes);
• from neighbors;
• transportation by pets;
• with rodents that have appeared in the home.

Fleas enter the apartment through cracks due to their small size. They live in floor cracks, linoleum, baseboards, and carpet pile.

Another factor in the spread of parasites is the humidity in the basements and sanitary facilities in the apartment is above 60%. Fleas also love warmth. In such conditions, normal life activities are ensured.

Reviews

Try it yourself first.
Buy Neostomazan at a veterinary store or veterinary pharmacy - it costs a penny. Dilute with 5–10 liters of water and rinse the floors. Treat the door mat and wash at least the landing. Neostomazan has the smell of some kind of kerosene, and if this is unacceptable, then use flea shampoo. This is in an apartment, but in the entrance to the summer landing it’s better to use an uncoated one and a stronger solution. And the sanitation station can treat entrances and basements. And their products are also smelly and toxic. And you have a baby. But call and check with them. Now, I remembered that in addition to all the methods described above, I also plugged the thing into the insect repellent socket. I don’t know what helped, but the fleas disappeared. I have two dogs and there were no fleas on them (they were treated with drops and wearing flea collars), but they were jumping in the apartment, apparently from the basement. We have the second floor. stepasha
https://forum.ditenok.com/showpost.php?p=1269198&postcount=21

buy dichlorvos, spray the whole apartment with it, close all windows and doors for 2 hours, leave.
Then after 2 hours you return, check the room for about 40 minutes and wash all surfaces with a cleaning agent, there will be no more fleas, this saved us Alexandra89
https://forum.ditenok.com/showpost.php?p=978750&postcount=11

In our basement there are fleas living on stray cats, and when we go for cans, they inevitably end up in the house.
We got rid of it with the help of wormwood, we bought it at the pharmacy. We did it as the solution was written on the package, only to be sure, I doubled the dose, just to be sure, and sprayed the walls, carpets, and beds liberally. Then I washed the floors. I didn’t believe that it would help, but they left. kruchek_nv
https://forum.ditenok.com/showpost.php?p=834375&postcount=10

Ouch.
We had this happen a couple of weeks ago. Here's how we got rid of it: we bought dichlorvos (odorless), sprayed it on the floor and carpets. We closed the windows and went for a walk for half a day. Then they vacuumed it well and ventilated it. They repeated it a couple of days later. and then they sprayed it again, but this time with a decoction of tansy. So far nothing is bothering me and the cat is not itching. Asashay
https://www.woman.ru/rest/freetime/thread/3981213/

Answer from a pest control specialist.
Most often, the first floors of an apartment suffer from fleas, because... fleas emigrate from the basement. Probably few people know that once a quarter, depending on the area of ​​the locality, the ERC orders disinfestation of basements. But it doesn’t always fulfill its duties, it’s just laundering the money :ne_ne_ne:. You can get rid of fleas in an apartment using such professional means as: “Sipaz Super”, “Sinuzan”, “Extermin-ts”, “Avalon”, but you need to remember that these drugs are specialized and you need to be able to work with them. It would be cheaper and more practical to call a specialist, an exterminator. Anton
https://uborka-doma.net/index.php/topic/35-kak-izbavitsia-ot-blokh-doma-v-kvartire/#entry9720

I place regular wormwood in the corners.
Well, I clean the carpets with a washing vacuum cleaner using a carpet cleaner. I wouldn’t risk using dichlorvos, the smell and it’s still a chemical, and if there are animals in the house, they can get poisoned. Malinka
https://uborka-doma.net/index.php/topic/35-kak-izbavitsia-ot-blokh-doma-v-kvartire/#entry219

Why are basement fleas dangerous?

The main food of parasites is blood. Fleas bite painfully, and bite marks become itchy and inflamed. Insects pose a serious danger to people.

What is the danger of basement fleas:

• painful bites that, when scratched, form ulcers and sores;
• the possibility of infection with infectious and fungal diseases, helminths;
• infection of domestic animals with parasites.

If previously fleas parasitized rats, then when they bite a person, they are capable of transmitting terrible diseases to him: plague, hepatitis, typhoid, encephalitis and others. An increase in body temperature is the first sign indicating the onset of an infection.

There is always a possibility that an apartment will be infested with parasites. To reduce the risk of an unpleasant neighborhood, carry out regular preventive maintenance and take timely measures to destroy insects that have already settled.

How to destroy basement fleas in an apartment

To control insects, you must do the following:

1. Remove carpets, bedspreads and capes and take them to dry cleaning, or carefully beat them outside.
2. Wash the floors, including the baseboards, using a vinegar solution, and then rinse again with detergent.
3. Seal floor and window cracks, first treating them with insecticides.
4. Treat indoor rooms, floors and walls (1.5 meters from the floor) with special anti-insect preparations.
5. Wash bedding and bedding used for animal resting.
6. Treat your pets.

Fleas are repelled by odorous plants - eucalyptus, wormwood, tansy and others. Spread the herb around the perimeter of the apartment or prepare a tincture from it. The tincture is used to wipe floors and baseboards. Remember that traditional methods of killing insects are significantly inferior in effectiveness to chemical insecticides.

Chemicals for flea control

Basement fleas are resistant to detergents, even with the most “nuclear” composition. To get rid of insects, use insecticides sold in specialized stores.

Aerosol and concentrated preparations are more suitable for killing fleas. The most common insecticides against fleas:

1. Battalion commander
2. Raptor.
3. Dichlorvos.
4. Executioner.
5. Tetrix.
6. Diazonon.
7. Cucaracha.

Aerosols are easy to use, but require preliminary preparation of the room. Before using the insecticide, it is recommended to put food in the refrigerator, or hide it together with the dishes under a protective film. Children and animals must be removed from the premises until disinfestation is completed.

To kill blood-sucking insects, you will need to spray an aerosol in the room, after closing the windows. Pay special attention to floors, pile coverings, and baseboards. You will need to leave the treated apartment for 1-2 hours. After the allotted time, the apartment is thoroughly ventilated and wet cleaned.

It is recommended to carry out such disinfestation 3-4 times, at intervals of a week. If the eggs and larvae have not been destroyed, regular treatment will help get rid of hatched parasites.

Concentrated products are available in the form of gels or powders and are pre-diluted with water, according to the instructions. The diluted drug is poured into a spray bottle and sprayed around the room.

When using concentrates, be sure to wear protective clothing, gloves, goggles and a respirator. Such products are very toxic and pose a danger to people who are not prepared for the process. After finishing the treatment, leave the apartment for at least 3 hours, and upon returning, clean and ventilate the room.

Contact the professionals

Coping with the problem of basement fleas on your own can be extremely difficult, so in modern realities people are increasingly turning to the help of professionals. This is the easiest, most effective and safest way for the consumer to get rid of fleas, which gives a guaranteed long-term result of comprehensive disinfestation of premises. During disinfestation, professional products are used that have a long-lasting effect, which guarantees protection against parasites for a long time. The treatment is carried out by professionals who use the latest disinfestation technologies using professional equipment, which allows them to thoroughly and effectively treat contaminated areas. Upon completion, a guarantee is provided for free re-treatment if the expected result is not achieved after the first procedure. However, when choosing a disinfection company, you should pay attention to a number of important points so as not to be deceived and get the expected result. When choosing a company, you need to pay attention to:

• The company must have the appropriate documents allowing it to carry out disinfection work in residential premises (within the framework of the current legislation of the Russian Federation, work on disinfection is subject to licensing by order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated March 11, 2013 No. 121n, the enterprise must have a license for medical activities, requirements for the organization and implementation of disinfection activities are established in the Sanitary and Epidemiological Rules SP 3.5.1378-03 “Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for the Organization and Implementation of Disinfection Activities”, approved by Resolution of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation dated 06/09/2013 N 131);
• Preparations that will be used for disinfection must be certified and safe for people and animals. Since disinfection is a complete treatment of the territory, including walls, furniture, baseboards, etc.;
• Events are planned at a time convenient for you, the company makes a compromise with the client;
• The workers spoke clearly and in detail about the upcoming event, the drugs that would be used, as well as whether it was possible to remain in the room after disinfection or whether it was necessary to leave it and for how long;
• A conscientious, self-respecting company does not require advance payment; all payments are made after the disinfection procedure;
• If you are not satisfied with the result, you are guaranteed either a refund or a free repeat procedure.

It is recommended to repeat this procedure once a year.

Removing basement fleas from animals

Treating the premises is not enough to completely eliminate the infestation. If pets live in the apartment, they should also be treated with special means.

Preparations used to remove fleas from animals:

1. Anti-flea shampoo. Easy to use but effective. You will need to wash the animal with shampoo and repeat this procedure 3 more times until the insects are completely destroyed.
2. Flea drops. You can purchase high-quality drops at a veterinary pharmacy or veterinary clinic. According to the instructions, the drops are placed strictly on the withers so that the pet does not reach the drug with its tongue. To achieve greater effect, drops are used for 2-3 weeks.
3. Nitenpyram tablets. Advanced parasite infestation requires immediate and effective treatment. The drug is administered orally and begins to act within an hour. It is important to consult a veterinarian before use, as this product is dangerous for the animal.
4. Anti-flea collar. A common, easy-to-use tool. The main condition is to change the collar every month, or after the time specified in the instructions. Otherwise, the collar loses its properties.

Remember that most pet products are tailored to your pet's weight. For a pet with a small weight or a pet with diseases, choose a less toxic drug. In any case, choose the most gentle and safe products for your pet.

Services of professional firms

On the Russian market there are specialized companies engaged in breeding rodents, unwanted (stray) animals, and insects. They use effective means - aerosols, traps, and other methods. This procedure helps to quickly and efficiently achieve what you want. The cost of services depends on the location of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation. Citizens do not always have enough knowledge to combat fleas, and inaccurate information can aggravate the situation several times. The professional services of companies are often used by kindergartens, educational schools, technical schools, colleges, and industrial institutions.

How to kill flea larvae

Fleas lay a lot of larvae, which become a serious problem for apartment owners. Often after treatment, fleas appear in the room again. To prevent this from happening, destroy the larvae at the same time as the adults.

Phenaxin, Clean House dusts, and Pyrethrium powder will help get rid of the larvae. Sprinkle the powder or coat the cracks and corners in the apartment with fine powder.

Dusts and powders are most effective in combating flea larvae, because the larvae feed on organic matter, on the basis of which powder insecticides are made. The larvae, having tasted the dust, die in the shortest possible time.

Such careful processing takes a lot of time, but guarantees a positive result. Young insects will not appear in your apartment.

Basement treatment

If fleas entered the home from the basement, poison them in the apartment and basement. The pest control service will help resolve the issue. In addition, rodents, the main carriers of fleas, are destroyed in the basement.

First, the basement is thoroughly cleaned. All household garbage and rags are taken out of it. The room is swept out and, if possible, a damp cloth is passed along the walls to clean them.

Then they check the pipes that run in the basement to detect leaks. If there are defects, you will need the help of specialists to carry out repairs.

The basement is treated independently with insecticidal agents in the form of aerosols. The advantage of the drugs is their ease of use and good effect. Treatment is carried out daily for five days.

Then they take a break of ten days and repeat the manipulations. If the apartments on the lower floors are heavily infested with parasites, you will need professional help from exterminators. Only after this do they poison the parasites in the apartment.

For disinfestation of basement non-residential premises, the most powerful and toxic agent is chosen. Suitable drugs are those that are not recommended for use in houses and apartments.

The entire room is sprayed with insecticides - surfaces, cracks, corners. When leaving the room, you should limit the flow of air by tightly closing doors and windows.

Traditional methods for fleas in the apartment

To eliminate basement fleas in an apartment, folk remedies are used. The use of herbal infusions with a specific odor is effective.

Ingredients for infusion:

• 1 part eucalyptus;
• 1 part tansy;
• 2 parts wormwood.

The ingredients are poured with boiling water and left for 12 hours. Then the infusion is poured into a spray bottle. The room is sprayed from a bottle. The product is carefully sprayed onto rugs, floor coverings, and wool carpets.

Caucasian chamomile contains pyrethrins, which have a detrimental effect on fleas. For disinfestation, fresh leaves and stems of the plant are used (dry ones are not effective). It is laid out in rooms for several days, after which it is replaced with fresh again.

Pine sawdust helps remove basement fleas. They fill the bedding on which the pet sleeps. Such activities are carried out before the beginning of spring, when fleas are active.

Baking soda and kitchen salt are used in flea treatment. 180 g of components are mixed and the mixture is sprinkled on the carpets. When 8 hours have passed, the apartment is vacuumed. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

Wormwood and pine shavings have a repellent effect. The plant is scattered along the corridor and left for a week.

A solution based on brewer's yeast and garlic is safe for pets and people using folk remedies. To prepare, grind the garlic and add 500 ml of water. 8 g of beer powder is dissolved in the mixture.

The solution is infused for 8 hours and all corners, crevices, and furniture are wiped. The product is suitable for treating pet fur against fleas.

Peppermint is used to get rid of fleas. The fresh plant is scattered throughout the apartment and under the beds. They also scatter the zest of orange, grapefruit, lemon, and tangerine around the house.

A radical way to get rid of parasites is kerosene and turpentine. The product is applied to the habitats of parasites. After contact with the substances, fleas die instantly.

What danger do they pose?

Fleas can remain on the surface of the host's body or in its shelter for several days and weeks. Most often, when parasites are bitten by a host animal, the adult individual leaves it and, when the opportunity arises, moves to another victim, choosing it at random. Most varieties of bloodsuckers do not adhere to one type of animal (except for those that parasitize bats) and bite both humans, pets, and rodents in the basement.

Diseases transmitted by fleas.

In humans, fleas cause a disease called pulicosis (from the Latin name for the human flea Pulex irritans). When bitten, an itchy rash appears on the skin; in severe cases, allergens enter the nervous system through the lymphatic system and can cause ulcers in the throat and mouth.

In addition to an allergic reaction to the enzymes of the parasites themselves, most varieties of fleas are dangerous in their ability to carry pathogens of dangerous infections:

• endemic and epidemic typhus;
• plague;
• hepatitis B and C;
• tick-borne encephalitis;
• brucellosis;
• salmonellosis;
• pseudotuberculosis, etc.

A flea, having received the causative agent of the disease (virus or bacteria) with the blood of an infected rodent or person, is able to transmit it to a new owner within 3-150 days.