Human Flea Repellent

Since most flea bites are due to fleas brought into the home by pets, the best way to prevent being bitten is to prevent the fleas from getting on your pets.

• Keep your pets away from animals you know have had fleas recently.
• Keep your pets out of difficult-to-treat places such as under decks or sheds.
• Mow your lawn frequently and keep the grass short.
• Use a flea comb to check your pet’s fur for fleas.
• Keep pet bedding clean and wash in hot water.
• Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture frequently, especially in areas where pets sleep, under beds, sofas, and behind furniture.
• Dust furniture and dry clean curtains and upholstery.
• Use flea preventive medicine on your pet once a month (for example, Advantage, Advantix, Frontline, Revolution, Sentinel, and others). Talk to your veterinarian about the right product for your dog or cat.

If you catch fleas on pets or in your home early it is much easier to get rid of them before they spread throughout your home.

To prevent bites from sand fleas if you are on the beach:

• Avoid the beach in the early morning and late afternoon, when sand fleas feed.
• Use lounges or chairs rather than a towel or blanket on the sand.
• Wear closed shoes and socks when walking on the beach.
• Use insect repellant with DEET.
• Stay away from seaweed, a favorite food of sand fleas.