- Does dichlorvos help get rid of fleas?
- Varieties of Dichlorvos
- Pros and cons of Dichlorvos
- Rules for the use of dichlorvos
- How to use Dichlorvos against fleas correctly
- Is Dichlorvos safe for animals and people?
- Safety regulations
If the name dimethyldichlorovinylphosphate is familiar to scientists, then it will mean nothing to most of us, but this is the name of ordinary Dichlorvos - a very powerful substance that can destroy insects, but not harm human health. But can Dichlorvos protect a person and his home from fleas?
In any case, if you follow certain rules and instructions, you will be able to avoid harming yourself and get rid of fleas in your apartment.
If you have not used this product before and are not sure of its effectiveness, then the first step is to understand what the principle of action of Dichlorvos is.
Types and composition of dichlorvos
The aerosol contains the following chemical compounds that kill insects:
- piperonyl butoxide;
- permethrin;
- cypermethrin.
Several options for insecticidal aerosols are suitable for household use.
- Station wagon. Inexpensive product without additional components. Used to kill all household pests - cockroaches, bedbugs, bed fleas.
- Eco. The aerosol contains flavorings. It effectively kills parasites and leaves the room smelling of lavender.
- Neo. The aerosol is used to eliminate flying and crawling insects indoors. It is effective against cockroaches, ants, flies. Dichlorvos Neo for fleas does not leave an odor after spraying.
- Varan is a specialized flea remedy. Has a slight lemon scent.
Varan
Varieties of products from the Dichlorvos line
If in Soviet times dichlorvos was produced in only one version, now the chemical industry has significantly expanded the product line. There are four main types of insecticide.
"Universal"
The good old classic, which equally effectively affects all parasites, leaving them no chance of survival. It is inexpensive, but has a very unpleasant odor. In addition, it may cause allergies.
I bought a Universal. After treatment, the insects were preserved, but there were fewer of them, and they now bite less actively. After repeated use, the parasites disappeared. It's been 2 months already, let's see what happens next.
Ekaterina, Irkutsk.
I liked the “station wagon” for its low cost (I bought it on sale for 45 rubles, but it costs 65-90 in different places). The fleas disappeared after the first time, so the product is effective. The only drawback is the pungent smell.
Olga, Saratov.
I used Neo dichlorvos to control fleas in my apartment. There was no negative effect or unbearable “amber.” The fleas disappeared immediately and forever; there hasn’t been a single insect for six months.
Philip, Moscow.
“Neo,” of course, is a little expensive, I haven’t seen it cheaper than 130 rubles, but the efficiency justifies the price. One application was enough, no fleas. Neighbors said that even theirs was missing.
Konstantin, Rostov the Great.
It is comparable in effectiveness to “Neo”, but has a different “aroma” - this dichlorvos smells like lavender.
I have only positive impressions from using dichlorvos “Eco”. The fleas disappeared only after the second spraying, but my apartment was simply swarming with them, I think that in a different situation the effect would have been better. I was especially surprised by the smell - real flowers!
Maria, St. Petersburg.
Dichlorvos "Eco" smells pleasant and does not cause nausea or headaches. The insects disappeared after the first use. The only thing that alarmed me was that my 10-year-old son often sneezed after spraying. But he is allergic, so this is rather an exception to the rule.
Fedor, Ertil.
"Varan"
It is more focused on killing bed bugs, although it also works well against fleas. Has a characteristic lemon scent.
Monitor lizard for fleas. Reviews
Friends advised us to treat the apartment with Varan. I was not impressed - there are fewer fleas, they are now not so active, but the parasites have not completely disappeared. I'll try another aerosol.
Ksenia, Velikie Luki.
“Varan” did not live up to expectations; the insects did not die. On the contrary, they became somehow evil. I hope that other types of dichlorvos will be more effective. One of the advantages I would like to note is the absence of an unpleasant odor - it exudes a citrus aroma
Ivan, Voronezh.
Important. In perestroika times, dichlorvos was actively used by lovers of cheap alcohol - they sprayed beer with it to increase intoxication. This should not be done under any circumstances - sooner or later a painful death will come! Today there are several types or, more precisely, varieties of the product:
Today there are several types or, more precisely, varieties of the product:
- Station wagon. It is designed to kill any insects that live in your home. That is, it fights not only fleas, but also cockroaches, ants, moths and bedbugs. The price of one cylinder of universal Dichlorvos is approximately 60 rubles;
- Neo. This variety of Dichlorvos is perhaps the most famous and popular because the product does not have an unpleasant odor. It contains several strong substances (for example, Cypermethrin) that have a negative effect on fleas. And one such cylinder (190 milliliters) costs about 50-55 rubles;
- Another variety of Dichlorvos is Eco. From its name it becomes clear that the product contains something that protects a person from harmful effects. To be more precise, this product contains lavender flavoring and therefore when using it you will not experience negative sensations or an unpleasant odor. But don’t let the prefix “Eco” confuse you, because contrary to its name, the drug is able to effectively fight parasites, because it also contains powerful toxic substances. The price is low - only 60 rubles.
But the traditional drug, which contains an organophosphate substance, is no longer produced today - it is believed that it does not have any competitive advantages.
Principle of action on fleas
Fleas and dichlorvos are two incompatible concepts. The insecticides contained in the aerosol penetrate into the insect through the chitinous integument and affect the nervous system. Due to blocking of impulse transmission, paralysis develops. As a result, the parasite dies.
It is important to consider that dichlorvos destroys only adult arthropods. Their eggs are surrounded by dense protective shells. They are not damaged when sprayed. This means that after 1-2 weeks a new generation of parasites will form in the room. Re-processing will be required to get rid of them.
Does dichlorvos help get rid of fleas?
Is it possible to remove fleas with dichlorvos? When surfaces in the house are treated with this product and fleas land on these surfaces, the insects almost immediately experience a disruption in the transmission of nerve impulses.
After this happens, the fleas experience complete paralysis, and after some time, death occurs.
And although Dichlorvos really gives a good result, it is also important to understand that with its help you can poison flea larvae and adult individuals, but it will not do anything to the pupae and eggs of these parasites. Given this fact, it is recommended to repeat the treatment after a couple of weeks: this way you will destroy those fleas that were previously inside the shells, but have now hatched and are no longer invulnerable
Given this fact, it is recommended to repeat the treatment after a couple of weeks: this way you will destroy those fleas that were previously inside the shells, but have now hatched and are no longer invulnerable.
The effectiveness of the insecticidal drug
The combination of three insecticidal components at once positions dichlorvos as a powerful and effective remedy. With its single use, up to 90% of fleas present in the room die. Some insects may hide in cracks or under baseboards, so re-treatment will be required.
The effectiveness of dichlorvos is higher than that of popular folk remedies for fleas, which eliminate up to 60-70% of the parasite population. This is directly related to the mechanism of action. Aerosols do not repel insects in the treated area, but kill them.
Can it be used on animals?
Dichlorvos against fleas cannot be used directly on pets - cats and dogs. After treatment, insecticidal substances will enter the animal’s bloodstream and begin to accumulate in its tissues. In the future, this leads to severe intoxication, which can be fatal.
However, aerosols are still used on animals, such as:
- The product can be used to treat cages containing small fur-bearing animals - rabbits, minks, raccoons.
- Kennels and dog bedding are sprayed with flea aerosol.
- Dichlorvos is used to protect large and small livestock from blood-sucking insects, including horse flies.
- The aerosol is sprayed in stalls where newborn calves, foals, and kids will be housed.
Instructions for use for apartment treatment
Dichlorvos for fleas in an apartment is used only after careful preparation of the home for treatment according to the following algorithm:
- All rooms are wet cleaned. Remove bed linen and blankets.
- Clothes and children's things are placed in tightly closed cabinets.
- The food is put in the refrigerator, the dishes are put in the closet. All kitchen appliances are covered with plastic film.
- Houseplants are removed from the apartment. Cover the aquarium with a lid (if there is one). Pets are taken out.
- Close all windows and interior doors.
Apartment processing
Next, the processing itself begins. If the parasites have spread throughout the apartment, then the aerosol is sprayed one by one in each room, in the kitchen, and in the bathrooms. Particular attention is paid to areas of potential accumulation of bloodsuckers - baseboards, cracks, upholstered furniture. To poison fleas, the bottle with the product is kept at a distance of 20 cm from the object being treated. Additionally, you will need to spray the product not only on the floor, but also on the walls to a height of up to 1 m, since these are very jumping insects.
After spraying the aerosol, leave the apartment for 3-4 hours. During this time, the insecticide has time to act. Upon return, the room is ventilated and wet cleaning begins.
How to use Dichlorvos against fleas in an apartment
According to user reviews, getting rid of fleas with Dichlorvos in an apartment is simple - just treat the apartment according to the instructions and allow the product to activate its effect. The instructions involve preliminary preparation of the apartment and the use of protective glasses and a mask to avoid contact with the drug with the mucous membrane.
So, the aerosol is sprayed at a distance of 30 cm from baseboards, floors, and furniture. It is also important to treat cracks and crevices where parasites can hide. do not forget to spray the drug in the closet and closets (clothes must first be packed in bags).
In fact, this is a universal drug that helps get rid of not only fleas, but also other parasites. Most variations of the product do not have a specific odor (updated formula, for example, Varan) and are completely safe for humans. According to the instructions, the product does not leave marks or streaks, which greatly facilitates the process of treating the apartment. You can buy it in any specialized store or order it online.
Advantages and disadvantages
Dichlorvos is a product that helps remove fleas in the shortest possible time. It has a number of advantages in addition to fast action:
- effective even with large concentrations of parasites;
- complex action - destroys all insects in the apartment;
- possibility of use for prevention;
- lack of addiction in bloodsuckers;
- low cost and availability.
Dichlorvos helps against fleas in the house, but has its drawbacks:
- does not affect parasite eggs;
- protects the premises for a short period of time – 10-14 days (further re-treatment is required);
- may provoke an allergic reaction;
- toxic to cats and dogs.
Precautionary measures
It is important to know how to use dichlorvos against fleas so as not to cause health problems. To kill insects with household insecticides, you need to take care of personal protective equipment in advance. Dichlorvos is used in closed clothing and rubber gloves. A respirator to protect your respiratory tract won't hurt either.
After keeping the insecticidal aerosol in place, wet cleaning and ventilation are required. This work should not be carried out by children and adolescents under 18 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, asthmatics or people prone to allergies.
When working with the product, it is important to remember the following nuances:
- Do not allow the chemical to come into contact with mucous membranes;
- if there are signs of intoxication, you should consult a doctor;
- Do not use the aerosol near an open flame;
- It is prohibited to use the product after the expiration date.
Safety when using Dichlorvos
It is important to remember that Dichlorvos should never be used to treat pet hair. Despite the fact that the drug often contains the same substances that work in drops and sprays for dogs, their concentration here is different. Contact of Dichlorvos on the body and respiratory tract of a pet can lead to serious allergies, and if the animal licks its fur, it can lead to intoxication.
When treating a room with Dichlorvos, you should wear gloves and a respirator. It’s even better to add a cotton-gauze bandage to them. If the product gets on the mucous membranes - in the mouth, nose, eyes - they should be rinsed with running water as soon as possible.
“After we killed the dog’s fleas, we treated the apartment with Dichlorvos. The effect was excellent, the fleas died off, but I was dizzy for several days afterwards, and the little one was generally sick and refused to eat. I was afraid that I would have to repeat the procedure because there were too many insects, but it passed. My summary: Dichlorvos is a reliable product, but it must be handled very carefully.”
Analogs
If desired, dichlorvos can be replaced with similar means, the action of which is aimed at destroying blood-sucking parasites in the apartment.
Analogs
- Raptor. The manufacturer offers not only an aerosol, but also a concentrate for preparing a solution. They are used to treat premises against fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches, and house ants.
- Battalion commander A line of aerosols without odor or with herbal aromas. The products are designed to destroy bedbugs, fleas, cockroaches in apartments and country houses.
- Executioner. Powerful and inexpensive spray with a wide spectrum of action. It removes fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches.
- Concentrated insecticide , which is diluted in water before use. It has minimal toxicity, so it is used for treating both premises and pets.
- Celandine C 326. Spray against fleas and ticks. Has a prolonged effect. Protects the home from bloodsuckers for 3 months. Safe for people and pets.
Security measures
No matter how safe a chemical is considered, a number of safety measures must be observed when working with any of them, namely:
- Do not store them near very hot objects or near open fire;
- if the product gets into your eyes, mouth or nose, or skin, immediately rinse the area with plenty of clean water;
- do not buy or use insecticides that do not contain information about the manufacturer, composition and expiration date. It is also not recommended to use a product that has already expired;
- store Dichlorvos in a place where children cannot reach it.
Even if there are no cats or dogs in your home, this does not guarantee the absence of parasites. For example, fleas can enter your home from the attic or crawl space. Often the basement is the source of infection.
Author of the article: Kartash Christina
A means for exterminating harmful insects should be in every home, since the spontaneous appearance of parasites with their further reproduction cannot be foreseen.
Ways of fleas getting into living quarters:
- Pets. Pets coming from a walk can bring insects from the street, which is their main habitat.
- Dark rooms with increased dampness. Fleas enter rooms through cracks in floors or cracks from basements or hallways.
- Unsanitary conditions in the premises. Dirt and moisture promote the appearance of fleas.
The next stage is general cleaning of the apartment. Rooms, upholstered furniture and carpets must be thoroughly vacuumed, and soft toys, clothes, and bed linen must be washed and ironed. Hard surfaces should be washed with flea shampoo, adding it to water.
Finishing treatment involves the use of Dichlorvos. Instructions for using the aerosol will help you use it correctly and effectively. To completely destroy insects, it is necessary to treat the entire living space, using one cylinder per ten square meters. Windows and doors should be closed tightly during treatment and not opened for several hours.
When working with any chemicals, no matter how safe they are theoretically considered, it is still necessary to observe safety measures.
Attention!
When working with Dichlorvos, you should play it safe as follows:
- spray the insecticide strictly in overalls, gloves and a mask (ideally in a respirator);
- There should be no children or animals in the room to avoid poisoning;
- do not use or store near open flames or very hot objects;
- If the product gets on the mucous membranes (mouth, eyes, nose) or skin, immediately rinse with plenty of water;
- Do not purchase or use insecticides without indicating the manufacturer, expiration date and composition.
The presence of fleas in the house is not only uncomfortable, but also fraught with consequences in the form of diseases (including fatal ones) that fleas can transfer to their victims
That is why immediate action to eliminate these parasites is extremely important for both humans and pets.