How to get rid of whiteflies on home flowers and seedlings

What are earth fleas?

This type of flea got its name because of its habitat, but in appearance they are similar to their relatives that live on rats, dogs, cats and other animals.

What they look like

The body length of an adult flea reaches 2-3 mm. Males are smaller than females. The parasite is covered with a durable chitinous carapace of dark brown color. Its body is flattened laterally, which provides good streamlining when jumping.

The body of an insect, consisting of 3 sections, incl. head, chest and abdomen, characterized by an ovoid shape. The abdomen has the largest volume, because it fills with blood as the parasite feeds. The earth flea has 3 pairs of legs. They have serrations that help them cling to the fur and skin of the victim.

Only the hind legs - the longest ones - are used in jumping. The parasite covers a distance of 25-30 cm in one movement. It is believed that it is capable of jumping 75-100 cm in height. The flea, using its hind legs, shoots itself, so its jumps are chaotic.

Parasites have poor vision, but the sensory apparatus present on the back of the abdomen helps to detect even minor vibrations.

In addition, fleas are able to smell the blood and sweat of a victim at a distance of 2-3 m.

Adults have a piercing-sucking apparatus. When attacked, the parasite first pierces the skin and injects a special enzyme that prevents blood clotting and causes severe pain. After this, the flea expands the wound with blades and begins to feed, pumping blood into the expanding abdomen.

What do they eat?

Adults feed only on the tissue of warm-blooded animals. A flea can consume up to 1 ml of blood in one bite. For normal life, the parasite needs to feed at least once every 2-3 days. He makes many punctures on the skin of the legs until he finds a place where the vessels are located close to the surface.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding season for parasites lasts from mid-April to the end of September. During her life, a female can produce up to 500 eggs. Although adults are ready to mate immediately after emerging from the cocoon, the female must first find a warm-blooded animal and bite it. If the act of feeding has taken place, after about 48 hours the flea finds a secluded, cool place with a sufficient level of humidity and begins laying.

It can contain up to 40-50 eggs, covered with a special protective white shell. The eggs of parasites are oval in shape and their size does not exceed 0.1 mm. Under favorable conditions, larvae quickly emerge from them. In most cases it takes no more than 2-10 days.

Flea larvae resemble small worms covered with sparse hairs. They feed on decaying organic matter. After 7-21 days the larva pupates. A flea can spend from 7 to 200 days in the form of a pupa. If conditions are favorable, the insect quickly emerges from the cocoon, becoming an adult.

How long do they live?

Life cycle of a flea.
The lifespan of a flea depends on external conditions. Individuals overwintering in deep layers of soil often die during frosty and snowless winters. Under favorable conditions, they can live 1.5-2 years.

How to get rid of cat and dog fleas

Of course, the first people we attack when we see pests are our pets. In addition to the fact that bloodsuckers fill the entire apartment, our furry pets also suffer.

If your pet has become irritable and nervous, refuses to eat food, constantly itches, especially scratching its neck, ears and head, then there is a high probability that the pet has parasites.

You can confirm the presence of bloodsuckers by carefully examining the fur of a cat or dog. You will immediately notice black bugs running fast. And if you start washing the animal, the individuals usually “save themselves” by running over their heads.

Remedies for fleas on pets are very varied. They differ in type, method of application, duration of action. Let's look at the most common means.

Aerosols. Very effective, but very toxic. Considering that dogs and cats lick fur, poison can get inside, and the animal can become poisoned. Therefore, you need to use them with caution and carefully monitor your pet.

Shampoo. Pet stores and veterinary pharmacies will help you choose the right shampoo for your pet.

Drops. Most often, the drops need to be applied to the withers, so the animal will not be able to reach the active substance and lick it off, and the effect will be more pronounced.

Collars. The effect of the substance is weak, so collars are used as an additional measure, as well as as a preventive measure.

Habitats

Ground fleas live in the soil . In winter, they bury themselves 15-20 cm into the ground and pupate. With the onset of warmth, they leave their cocoons and move to the upper layers of the soil. An increase in their numbers is observed when it rained for some time, and then the heat came. High air temperatures and high humidity are the most suitable conditions for these insects. Adult parasites begin to search for a victim.

Fleas don't only live in the ground. They can be found and reproduce in human homes. They live in rooms with high humidity. They attack apartments on the first floors. They are especially common in homes where people neglect sanitary standards.

Good hiding places for them:

• a pile of clothes;
• cracks in the floor;
• folds of upholstered furniture;
• long carpet pile, etc.

In addition, fleas choose outbuildings. They live in animal bedding and places where old things are stored.

Why are there small midges in indoor flowers?

It is important not to forget that excessively moist soil is the best place for midges to exist and reproduce. So, if you do not want to breed white bugs in the soil of indoor plants, then you should not neglect attention to the soil in pots.

The main source of reproduction of flower parasites is considered to be excess moisture in the soil of indoor flowers.

Secondary reasons for the appearance of harmful insects include:

• Pouring low-quality soil into flower pots. It leads to an invasion of harmful midges, the larvae of which will already live in the soil. As a result, you will need to quickly look for ways to get rid of the emerging parasites.
• The appearance of insects can be facilitated by transplanting plants into huge pots. The soil at the bottom of the flower pot is most saturated with moisture, only the root system of the plant does not reach there. High humidity is a suitable breeding ground for pests.
• The use of organic fertilizers will also encourage the appearance of bugs. Even if the soil is watered moderately, the presence of organic impurities will attract midges, which will settle well on the indoor plant.
• A fly can fly into an apartment from another living space, from the basement, through ventilation or an exhaust pipe. Moreover, the flying insects immediately find suitable flower pots with abundantly moistened soil.

The danger of insect bites for humans

Biting insects such as fleas are extremely dangerous because... are carriers of many infectious diseases that require long-term treatment.

Among them:

• plague;
• encephalitis;
• listeriosis;
• anthrax;
• typhus;
• tuberculosis;
• hepatitis;
• tularemia.

Flea bites.
Flea bites are a source of helminthic and fungal infestation. The parasite injects its saliva during feeding. The bite site is very itchy and may become red. People who are sensitive to the enzymes present in the saliva of these fleas may experience allergic reactions.

First aid

The feet, ankles and ankles are the most common sites where the legs are affected. Areas of insect attack may be invisible, but damage to the skin is indicated by itching. If there are no severe allergic reactions, bites can be treated at home.

The affected area must be treated with a disinfectant. A cold compress helps relieve itching. In addition, it is recommended to use an ointment that includes antihistamines. If signs of allergy or intoxication of the body appear, you cannot carry out treatment on your own; you should seek medical help.

If fleas have bitten a child

Focal redness appears on children's skin at the sites of bites. The child experiences severe discomfort due to itching. Bite areas must be treated with a disinfectant and a cold compress applied. If there are many areas of damage, you should consult a doctor, because... Antihistamines may be required to relieve symptoms.

How to remove fleas from your home using chemicals

Before using chemicals, you need to thoroughly clean the apartment, so the fight will be more effective. We strongly recommend that you send your household members out for a walk for a while so as not to breathe in harmful chemical vapors, and when using insecticides, use personal protective equipment - a mask, gloves, and protective clothing.

Treatment with drugs should be carried out with windows and doors closed so that the substances do not evaporate. You need to treat every centimeter of cracks, baseboards, cracks, folds of furniture, and corners. Usually the substances begin to act within 3-4 hours. A few hours after treatment, the room must be thoroughly ventilated.

Means for killing fleas in the apartment are divided into groups. Let's see what fleas are afraid of in the house and how to get rid of them quickly and effectively.

Aerosols

Without a doubt, this is the most effective remedy available to the average person. They are sprayed in places where blood-sucking creatures accumulate. The active substances penetrate the flea's body, after which it dies. By using aerosols you can get rid of pests in a short period of time.

Aerosols often used are Raptor, Dichlorvos, Raid, Kombat, Doctor Claus,

Solutions

Concentrated solutions are diluted in water and the resulting preparation is sprayed on walls, baseboards, cracks and other habitats of bloodsucking creatures.

Common people advise using Get, Tsifoks, Tetrisk, Zone solutions. Cucaracha is also popular, but the downside of the drug is its strong smell.

Dusts and powders

The substance affects the nervous system of the pest, causing paralysis. The product lasts for quite a long time. But it is better to use this product to combat larvae, as they absorb organic debris and can eat poison.

The drug Delicia is popular, although it mainly destroys feline and canine species.

Methods of disposal

If the number of fleas in a residential area is small, you can fight them with chemical insecticides. There are many effective means that can be used to poison these insects, but when using them, some precautions should be taken to avoid poisoning. If this option is undesirable, you can use folk remedies to kill fleas.

In apartments on the first floors, even with the use of folk and chemical remedies, fleas appear again after a short time. This indicates that the basement is infested with them. In this case, fighting with simple methods will not help and you should turn to professionals to thoroughly disinfect not only the apartment, but also the areas underneath it.

Professional pest control

Professional pest control is the most effective. Experts agree to poison insects even in large rooms. They use special equipment and potent insecticides that can destroy not only adults, but also eggs, larvae and pupae. Many companies provide a guarantee for their services and, if necessary, carry out repeated disinfestation free of charge.

Chemicals

The most common method of killing fleas is to treat the premises with chemical insecticides. They are available in the form of powders, concentrates, aerosols, drops, and emulsions.

Option for a remedy for earthen fleas.
Insect control can be carried out with the following drugs:

1. "Clean house".
2. “Butox 50”.
3. "Raptor".
4. “Ecokiller”.
5. "Phenaxin".
6. “Nats.”
7. "Raid".
8. "Combat".
9. "Dichlorvos".

It is difficult to determine which product is the best. One treatment with any of these drugs does not always give a good result, because... they are unable to destroy flea eggs. To achieve a positive effect, it is advisable to carry out 2-3 procedures with an interval of 5 days.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies that help repel fleas are recommended to be used when the number of insects in the house is small. To poison parasites, you can prepare a mixture of soda and salt. The components are taken in equal proportions. The composition should be thoroughly treated with all carpets and sprinkled in corners and on the floor in the basement. Turpentine can be used to treat outbuildings.

Herbal products are also effective in controlling fleas. A decoction of wormwood and tansy helps to quickly eliminate parasites. To prepare it, 2 cups of wormwood are mixed with 1 cup of tansy and 1 cup of eucalyptus.

The composition must be filled with 10 liters of hot water. The mixture is boiled for 3-5 minutes. After this, the container with it is removed from the heat, wrapped in a blanket and left to infuse for a day. The finished product should be filtered, poured into a spray bottle and used to treat the room.

To repel fleas, it is recommended to place spruce and pine branches in the corners of the living room. These insects cannot tolerate the smell of pine needles. To treat the room, brewer's yeast and garlic are used, mixed in equal proportions. The mixture should be rubbed onto all places where fleas can enter the house.

Folk remedies for fleas.

Prevention is a preventive method of control

Timely prevention will help to avoid the appearance of springtails and podura in indoor plants.

A large population of white fools is the cause of illness in indoor pets

• The outer surfaces of flowerpots and pots, flower shelves, window sills, and stands are wiped with detergents.
• Preliminary watering of the soil with hot water is organized before planting flowers. Larvae and adults brought with the soil are destroyed.
• If necessary, the old soil is completely replaced with new one.
• The dosage of organic fertilizers, a potential food for springtails, is strictly observed.
• Organization of moderate watering and frequent loosening of the soil.
• When replanting plants, the soil is treated in advance, and the flower container is equipped with an effective drainage system that prevents stagnation of water.
• If necessary, the lump of earth on the root is dried in a shaded place in the breeze or blotted with soft paper.
• Rotten roots must be cut off.
• To prevent the reproduction of insects, containers for flowers are chosen of a suitable size, free of voids in which fungus, bacteria and other food for the fool can develop.
• For the purpose of prevention, planted (or transplanted) flowers are watered with an aqueous solution: 1 liter of liquid and 4g of Fitosporin.

Often, increased indoor air humidity occurs due to water supply leaks and faulty shut-off valves. Therefore, measures are being taken to eliminate them. Ventilation of rooms to ventilate plants should not be neglected.

Preparing the premises

An important condition for achieving a good result is careful preparation of the room for processing. All unnecessary old things and garbage should be thrown away. It is advisable to vacuum the floor. It is recommended to knock out carpets. In addition, be sure to treat all surfaces with soapy water.

Furniture should be immediately coated with special agents that repel parasites. Products must be refrigerated during disinfection to prevent chemicals from coming into contact with them. After this, you should close all windows tightly and begin processing the room.

Necessary measures for exterminating insects

In order for the fight against fleas in your apartment to end successfully, you need to follow simple recommendations that will significantly increase your chances of success.

1. Carry out a thorough cleaning of the apartment! This is the first and main thing to do. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, wash all floors. Adding ammonia or essential oil to the water for washing floors will greatly help reduce the number of colonies. After cleaning, the vacuum cleaner bag should be quickly packed in a thick plastic bag so that the bugs do not have time to jump out and thrown away.
2. If you suspect that it is the bedding species that are bothering you, you need to wash all bedding at a temperature of 60 degrees or higher (the parasites are very tenacious, they can survive at lower temperatures), then iron them.
3. If the infection appears in the wardrobe, the clothes must be treated independently with an iron or steam, or taken to dry cleaning.
4. Carefully treat blankets, pillows, mattresses, soft toys. If this is the case in winter, then you can take things out into the cold, or, if the fight is in the summer, leave them to bask in the sun. Parasites cannot tolerate temperature changes.
5. Wash all your shoes that you wear outside. As we remember, eggs and larvae can get into the house on the soles of shoes, so in order to avoid the appearance of new individuals, you need to pay attention to this point.

Prevention of midges

1. Remove fallen leaves and flowers immediately. If they lie on the surface of the soil for a long time, they will begin to rot, creating favorable conditions for the invasion of parasites.

2. Water the plants sparingly. Learn how much moisture each of your pets needs and strictly follow the irrigation schedule.

3. Before planting a flower, treat the soil with steam or keep it in the cold to destroy all pathogens. Pour boiling water or potassium permanganate over the pot.

4. Regularly loosen the soil so that it is saturated with oxygen and the water does not stagnate.

5. To prevent larvae from infesting the soil, sprinkle it on top with coarse sand or marble chips.

6. If midges are infested on one plant, be sure to check other flowers to identify the infestation at the initial stage.

If you properly care for your pets, you can protect them from midges. We also recommend reading about 11 cold-resistant plants that can be grown on the balcony before frost.

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Safety precautions when removing fleas

Since most insecticides are toxic and can harm the human body, you should not neglect the means of protection. You will need:

• respirator, gauze bandage;
• protective glasses;
• latex gloves.

Do not forget to ventilate the room after treatment for several hours. It would be ideal if you can leave the house for 1-2 days during the treatment.

Gloves and a mask are reliable protection when working with chemicals

If there are children or pregnant women in the house

Small children crawl around the apartment, touch everything with their hands, and then put their fingers in their mouths. Pregnant women inhale harmful fumes, which can negatively affect the development of the fetus. In such cases, you can use only completely safe products. These are the same folk remedies, with the exception of boric acid, botanical dust and kerosene (its smell can cause nausea in pregnant women) or based on neonicotinoids, neostomazan (look on the package). Children and pregnant women must leave the house during chemical treatment. After the procedure, a thorough wet cleaning is carried out and the room is ventilated for a long time.

If there are animals in the house

It is not advisable for pets and birds to be in the house during treatment. If there is nowhere to put them, then it is recommended to use only those products that are sold in a veterinary pharmacy and are safe for animals, for example, drugs with the active ingredients fipronil, neonicotinoids, neostomazan.