Fleas are active year-round in Florida due to the warm, humid climate, but they are at their absolute worst from April to September. Peak infestation levels occur during the hot summer months, although flea, larvae, and egg populations often thrive continuously from early spring through autumn.
It is always flea and tick season in Florida they don't go away or hibernate in winter months. They are more prevalent during our long hot months but in Florida it doesn't get cold enough for them to never be an issue. Fleas are the main cause of skin related issues due to itching, scratching, chewing, and licking.
June - September. Fleas thrive in warm and humid environments, and their activity levels vary based on geographic location and climate. Generally, fleas are most active during the warmer months of the year, commonly from spring through to early autumn.
Florida's warm and humid climate creates a hospitable environment for fleas to thrive year-round. However, it's between early spring and late fall that flea activity indeed escalates due to the ideal combination of warmth and moisture.
– what smells do fleas absolutely hate? Due to their sensitive sensory systems, certain natural scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and citronella are extremely off-putting to fleas. These scents not only repel adult fleas but can also disrupt their ability to detect a host, effectively breaking the cycle of infestation.
One of the worst Florida flea seasons in years, veterinarians say
Does Vicks VapoRub repel fleas?
Vicks VapoRub, with a strong scent due to ingredients like eucalyptus oil, menthol, and camphor, can act as a mild flea repellent for humans. The pungent smell is off-putting to fleas and may help keep them at a distance. However, it's not a foolproof or long-term solution for flea infestations.
A bath alone won't solve the flea problem. It may remove some adult fleas, but it definitely won't address eggs, larvae, or pupae in your home. Bathing can be stressful for certain pets, and it may not be the best option if your pet is particularly anxious or aggressive.
Yes, vacuuming daily is crucial and highly effective for getting rid of fleas by removing eggs, larvae, and adults, but it's part of a multi-step process that also requires treating pets and washing bedding, continuing for several weeks to break the life cycle. The vibrations stimulate fleas to hatch, making them vulnerable, and you must empty the vacuum bag outside immediately to prevent reinfestation, say experts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the British Pest Control Association (BPCA).
There's no sure-fire way to know, but you can monitor your pets for scratching, chewing, hair loss and touch sensitivity as signs that fleas have returned.
How to Get Rid of Fleas in Florida. To eliminate fleas effectively: Treat your pets: Use veterinarian-recommended flea treatments, such as oral medications, topical solutions, or flea collars. Vacuum thoroughly: Focus on carpets, furniture, and cracks in floors where fleas and eggs may hide.
Could Fleas Be In My Bed? If your pet has fleas and sleeps in bed with you, fleas will likely end up in your bed. Fleas lay eggs into fur, and those eggs can fall off of your pet when they are sleeping.
Cover skin with long-sleeve clothing and pants to minimize exposure to bites. Flea bites often occur on the lower legs and feet, protect these areas with long socks and pants.
To kill fleas instantly, use fast-acting oral medication like Nitenpyram (e.g., Capstar) for immediate knockdown on pets, or give your pet a warm bath with mild soap/flea shampoo and use a flea comb to physically remove them, dunking fleas in soapy water to drown them. For home treatment, vacuuming and using insecticides with growth regulators help, but remember you'll need ongoing preventatives to break the flea life cycle.
Regular shampoo is usually effective for removing fleas from human hair. The surfactants in normal shampoo can drown fleas, and the washing action removes them physically. Special flea shampoos designed for pets may be too harsh for human scalp and aren't typically necessary.
Salt has historically been used as a desiccant in areas where immature fleas are developing, by scattering salt on the area dry (Metcalf & Flint 1939), or then wetting it down thoroughly (Bishopp 1921, Furman 1971). Near the coast, soil around runways and kennels was treated with seawater (Ewing).
Capstar (nitenpyram) is an antiparasitic treatment that kills maggots, maggot eggs, and fleas on pets and wildlife. Capstar can be given internally or externally and begins working in as little as 30 minutes. Each box of Capstar includes 6 tablets.
Fleas hate scents that contain natural compounds like linalool, limonene, menthol, etc. Such compounds can overwhelm their sensory system and help keep fleas away. Think lavender, lime, orange, spearmint essential oils. Certain herbaceous and camphorous scents are also beneficial in keeping fleas away.
