How To Keep Fleas Out Of Sandbox

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Sand fleas are tiny parasitic crustaceans that typically inhabit boiling coastal areas. They have been known to target many dissimilar types of organisms as potential hosts, plaguing their victims with irritating bites. If left untreated, these bites can lead to more serious problems like recurrent skin atmospheric condition and even lethal infections. For this reason, it's of the utmost importance that you lot inspect yourself, your home and your pets for whatever sign of sand fleas if you think you may have been bitten, and accept the proper steps to brand sure they don't return.

1
Learn to identify sand fleas. The average sand flea tin range in size from a speck of salt to a grain of rice. In fact, sand fleas oftentimes look similar sand particles themselves, which is how they're able to attach to their hosts without being noticed. While information technology is possible to spot sand fleas with the naked eye, you'll usually have to look quite closely.^[1]
- Sand fleas nearly often adhere to feet and legs since they're closest to the ground.^[2]
- If you observe something crawling or jumping anywhere on your body, you lot can exist certain information technology's not merely dirt.
2
Scan yourself for bites. Sand fleas bite their hosts in society to feed and embed their eggs. Their bites leave backside circular, red spots that may burn or itch intensely. The seize with teeth of a sand flea can exist extremely uncomfortable and will nearly always cause irritation, specially when rubbed or scratched.^[iii]
- A small black head or white pustule at the center of a bite may be an indication that a sand flea has burrowed into the pare and laid eggs.
- Resist the urge to scratch itchy sand flea bites. While this may provide temporary relief, it increase the risk of spreading infected saliva or egg deposits beneath the peel.^[4]
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3
Apply a topical antihistamine. Medications similar Benadryl and Neosporin tin can assist alleviate the burning and itching brought about by sand flea bites. It may also be useful to swab the bite with rubbing alcohol, every bit this will dry out the wound and forbid it from becoming infected. About sand flea bites will clear up within a week or two and won't cause any lasting health furnishings.^[five]
- Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree tin also offer drying action and relief from itching.
- If you notice a sand flea seize with teeth outset to not bad or grow more painful, visit a doctor right away.

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1
Apply pesticides throughout your domicile. Spray pesticides in places where sand fleas may exist lurking, such equally floors, carpets and furniture. To avoid exposing yourself or your pet to harmful chemicals, choose an organic pesticide production that'due south been approved for home use. Pesticides volition substantially shut downward the sand fleas' nervous systems, killing them within a matter of hours.^[vi]
- There is evidence to suggest that natural compounds like diatomaceous earth and salt are effective for eliminating sand fleas. Sprinkle the chemical compound effectually problem areas, let it sit for up to 24 hours, then suction it and any dead pests upwardly with a vacuum.
- Exercise not use pesticides containing toxic chemicals in areas frequently occupied by y'all, your family or your pet.
ii
Vacuum your carpets and upholstery. Go over spots that may harbor hidden sand fleas. Pay detail attention to the rooms and routes you tend to utilize the near, equally there's a improve chance that sand fleas will be found in that location. Echo this procedure once a 24-hour interval until the infestation is nether control.^[7]
- Use your vacuum's castor head attachment to dislodge sand fleas stuck downward deep in carpet fibers.
- Empty or dispose of vacuum bags after vacuuming.
- Vacuuming helps to remove pests and their eggs that are too small to be detected.^[8]
3
Wash used habiliment and bedding. Sand fleas can easily be concealed in the folds of clothing and bedding and may not stand up out on low-cal-colored fabrics. Afterward discovering signs of a sand flea infestation, these items should exist cleaned immediately. Wash each load of laundry with hot water and strong detergent.^[9]
- E'er launder habiliment, towels and other beach accessories equally presently as you lot get home. You should never reuse dirty items, as there's a run a risk they could contain sand fleas.
- Be sure to check your partner'due south wearable and bedding items every bit well if you happen to share a room.
iv
Inspect your shoes and vesture when returning domicile. Have a quick look at your legs and the tops and bottoms of your shoes before reentering your habitation. This is especially important if you lot've recently been to the embankment or anywhere else where you might encounter sand fleas. It's possible for undetected sand fleas to hitch a ride into your living space, making the problem worse.
- Start leaving your dirty shoes outside until y'all've had a risk to clean them.

1
Check indoor pets for sand fleas. Though most land animals aren't at run a risk of sand flea infestation, dogs and cats with thick fur may carry them into your home unknowingly. Spread your pet's fur with your fingertips and look for bites or swelling. It may be difficult to spot sand fleas themselves depending on fur colour, but their crimson, inflamed bites volition almost always exist visible at skin level.^[10]
- Pay attention to behaviors like excessive scratching or licking. These could be alert signs that your dog or cat may be carrying sand fleas.
- Though tiresome, being vigilant nearly checking for pests is the best fashion to keep them from setting up in your home.
two
Groom your pets thoroughly. Give your pet a bath using warm water and shampoo, then towel or accident them dry out completely. In one case you're finished, apply an anti-flea medication to prevent sand fleas from coming dorsum. The life wheel of adult sand fleas is around 48 hours, so information technology may be a good idea to go along your pet indoors during this time.^[11]
- Dab a little antihistamine cream on your pet's bites to reduce itching and redness.^[12]
- Take your pet to the vet if y'all suspect that information technology may exist a host for sand flea eggs.
3
Clean pet bedding and toys. Vacuum any objects with soft, porous surfaces to ensure that unseen sand fleas won't immediately return. This includes things like dog beds, blankets, pillows and soft fabric toys. ^[13]
- Steam cleaning has been shown to effectively wipe out sand fleas lodged in wearable and other objects.^[14]
- Consider treating pet areas with an organic pesticide or diatomaceous world. Be certain to vacuum and clean them afterwards so that your pet doesn't accidentally ingest whatever harmful substances.
four
Exist wary of where you take your pets. Sand fleas are most unremarkably found in warm, humid marine conditions. They tend to be nearly active between late night and early morning. If you often walk or play with your pet in these types of places, schedule your outing for daylight hours and stick to the sidewalk or tall grass to minimize their take chances of contracting sand fleas. ^[15]
- Dogs are at specially high run a risk of picking up sand fleas due to their tendency to roll and dig.
- Cover up or spray yourself with insect repellent before spending fourth dimension in places that are natural habitats for sand fleas.^[16]

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Get in the habit of checking, treating and cleaning daily until you're certain that the sand fleas are gone.
Seal off all small cracks and crevices at flooring level that sand fleas might utilize to nest.
If y'all're having problem with an infestation in your domicile, it may assist to turn down the thermostat and invest in a dehumidifier. Sand fleas accept difficulty surviving in absurd, dry conditions. This will besides keep newly-laid eggs from being able to hatch.
Most sand flea infestations will clear upward on their own within a few weeks.
Oatmeal and aloe vera both have a soothing event when applied topically to sand flea bites.

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It's critical that y'all completely neutralize a sand flea infestation in one case y'all've discovered it. Failure to exercise then can allow sand fleas to render and reproduce.