Tapeworms not only harm your pet’s health, but they also leave a trail of mess in your house, and do harm to you as well. If your pet has contracted a tapeworm, you need to learn how to clean up after the worm, in order to prevent it from spreading and harming yourself or another family member.
Fortunately, cleaning up after a tapeworm is easy, once you have the right tools and know what to look for. In this article, we will discuss how to clean your house after tapeworms, including tips for removing the eggs and feces and keeping your home free of parasites.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Gather Supplies
To clean your house after tapeworms, you will need the following supplies:
- A powerful floor cleaner
- A stiff brush
- A vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment
Step 2: Vacuum All Carpets and Rugs
Start by vacuuming all of the carpets and rugs in your home. Pay special attention to any areas where your pet spends a lot of time, as these are likely places where tapeworm eggs may be found. Be sure to move furniture and vacuum under it as well. If you have a carpet shampooer, you can use this to clean your carpets as well.
Step 3: Wash All Floors
Once you have vacuumed all of the carpets and rugs, move on to washing all of the hard floors in your home. Start by sweeping them with a broom to remove any dirt and debris. Then, wash the floors with a powerful floor cleaner. Be sure to get into all of the cracks and crevices. If you have a mop, you can use this to help clean the floors as well.
Step 4: Use a Steam Cleaner on Upholstery and Curtains
If your pet has had tapeworms and spent time laying on upholstered furniture or curtains, these items are likely to be harboring tapeworm eggs. To clean them, you will need to use a steam cleaner. Start by vacuuming the item with a powerful vacuum cleaner. Then, using the hose attachment, go over the item with the steam cleaner. Be sure to get into all of the cracks and crevices.
Step 5: Disinfect All Surfaces
Once you have vacuumed, washed, and steamed all of the surfaces in your home, you will need to disinfect them. This will kill any remaining tapeworm eggs and prevent them from hatching. You can use a diluted bleach solution or a commercial disinfectant. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Step 6: Launder All Linens and Bedding
If your pet has had tapeworms, there is a good chance that their fur or hair may have been shedding tapeworm eggs onto linens and bedding. In order to clean these items, you will need to wash them in hot water with bleach. Be sure to set the washer cycle for a long, hot wash and add bleach according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, dry all of your linens and bedding on a high heat setting.
Step 7: Take a Shower
It is also a good idea to take a shower after cleaning your house, to make sure that you do not spread any tapeworm eggs from your clothing. Be sure to wash your hair and body thoroughly.
Once you have cleaned your house after tapeworms, be sure to take steps to prevent future infestations as well. This can include giving your pet regular deworming treatments, keeping your home clean, and practicing good hygiene. By following these steps, you can keep your house free of harmful parasites.
Final Thought
Although cleaning up after a tapeworm infestation can be a lot of work, it is essential for preventing the spread of these dangerous parasites. If you are dealing with a tapeworm infestation in your pet or in your home, be sure to follow these tips for cleaning your house and getting rid of the tapeworms or speak to an expert.
A good idea is to consult a pest control company that specializes in dealing with tapeworms. They offer safe, humane, and effective ways to protect your home or business from pests. Every pest control has short and long-term remedies but aiming to get rid of the pest officially is peace of mind.
Tapeworms come from infected fleas, so the first step is to get rid of any fleas in your home. Be sure to wash all bedding, vacuum carpets and furniture, and treat your pet with a Flea & Tick preventative.
If you believe that your pet has tapeworms, be sure to take them to the vet as soon as possible. Tapeworms can cause serious health problems in animals, including malnutrition and weight loss.
With a little hard work and dedication, you can keep your home safe from these dangerous parasites.