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Flea bombs are used to counter flea infestations in the home. If your pet has fleas, they will lay eggs in the fur, many of which work there way down to the skin surface. However, they can fall on to the furniture and carpets. If this happens in sufficient numbers, and once the eggs hatch, you can have a real problem on your hands.

Flea bites will cause itchiness, redness and a swelling around the area that is bitten. If the infection is severe enough, scratching can lead to secondary infections caused by breaking the surface of the skin. Some animals and humans are in fact allergic to the saliva the flea secretes as it feeds. This is called flea allergy dermatitis and is accompanied by more acute reactions and in some cases hair loss.

To test for fleas on your pet, combing thoroughly through the fur with a fine tooth comb will discover small black particles on the teeth. Place these on a wet tissue and if after a time they go a red brown color, fleas are present. These particles are the fecal material of the adult fleas which the larvae feed on before entering the pupa stage and metamorphosing in to young adults.

There are a number of treatments available to counter infestations. All should be accompanied by initially removing through combing as many fleas, flea eggs, fecal material and stray hairs from the skin and fur of your pet as possible. Place everything in a bowl of water which will drown any live fleas and flush the contents down the toilet once the process is finished.

Secondary treatment options include the use of flea collars and topical sprays, shampoos and powders that are normally applied direct to the animal. If fleas are also residing in and around the house, flea bombs or foggers are a way to eliminate the threat from this immediate area.

They act by releasing in to the air an insecticide powder which covers all surfaces and sinks in to the carpets. It is advisable to select a flea bomb that kills the fleas before they reach reproductive age, and also to determine the coverage area of the product and buy sufficient to ensure the whole area affected will be treated. It can be useful to remove very large items of furniture, although these might also need treatment, to ensure that the carpet below is sufficiently exposed to the pesticide.

This treatment method does involve the risk of exposure to harmful active ingredients and so strict precautions and safeguards should be followed as detailed in the guidance from the manufacturer. All animals and humans are typically advised to leave the area requiring treatment and all food, drink and items used in food preparation should also be removed or stored in sealed containers or taped up cupboards. A strict cleaning regime post treatment is also generally advised.

Finally, and in all cases, ensure that the product being considered is appropriate for your pet. Some that are sold for use on dogs are harmful to cats for example.

Additional information on flea bombs and flea foggers should be sought to gain a full understanding of the subject and inform a decision to purchase.