Who's The Boss? Business Owner's Guide To Mastering Administrative Basics

Fleas are far more than just a nuisance for dogs and cats. In fact, their bites can transmit serious diseases such as typhus and plague. Most people are familiar with the traditional methods of fighting fleas, from bathing pets in a flea dip to using barrier products to help keep fleas at bay. But, if you have a flea infestation, you'll also need to treat carpets. If your business permits pets indoors, you'll want to treat for fleas on a regular basis as a precaution. Since flea eggs can settle deep into the carpets and hatch, you'll need to treat your carpets regularly. Here are some non-toxic methods for treating carpets to get rid of fleas.

Bagged Vacuums

Vacuum the office carpets first thing in the morning and again at closing each day. This will help you to eliminate any hatched fleas and loose eggs. Choose a vacuum cleaner with removable bags. You can remove and seal the bag immediately after every use. This can help you avoid the risk of a repeat infestation, which could happen with bagless vacuums.

Baking Soda and Salt Application

Since fleas and their eggs can survive for a long period of time, you may also want to treat your carpet with products that will help you to prevent their continued reproduction. Any time you're treating carpets in a public area such as a business, you'll want to choose something that is not harmful to animals or humans. One of the most neutral but effective options is a combination of baking soda and salt.

Baking soda and salt both dehydrate fleas, killing them. Create a mixture that contains equal parts of both and then sprinkle it evenly across dry carpets at closing. Allow it to sit overnight and then vacuum it up in the morning. Dispose of the vacuum bag carefully to make sure that there's no residual fleas to get loose.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural material that is safe to use in any space, including those with children and animals. The composition of it damages most insect exoskeletons, including those of fleas. This kills them within a couple of days of contact. If you plan to treat your company's carpets with diatomaceous earth, you'll want to choose a food-grade product. There are other varieties, including those for pool treatments.

Despite the fact that it is non-toxic, you'll want to keep your pets out of the room while you scatter it into the carpet, and consider wearing a dust mask through the process. The dust particles from it can irritate your lungs when you are applying it. Leave it on the carpet for at least a day before you vacuum it up. Like with other vacuum-removed treatments, use a vacuum cleaner with removable bags so that you can seal them and dispose of them.

Boric Acid

Another treatment option to get rid of fleas is boric acid. The chemical kills fleas as well as the larvae. It is also safe to use around people and animals, but it could irritate your lungs if you inhale too much of it when you're applying it. Consider wearing a mask and eye protection when you put it on the carpet to avoid this risk.

After you sprinkle it on the carpet, you will need to work it into the fibers. Use a stiff brush to work it into the carpet, then let it sit for a few days before vacuuming. Once you vacuum, make sure to seal off the vacuum bag and dispose of it away from the office. This will keep the fleas from returning.

These flea control methods are some of the best ways that you can treat your office and help control an infestation. If you follow the methods presented here without success, you'll want to call a carpet cleaning company and a pest control specialist to help you eliminate these pests. Click here for more info on carpet cleaning companies.