How to get rid of Fleas in Carpets

Nothing is quite as annoying or embarrassing as fleas jumping up out of your carpet to bite at your ankles. In addition to the inconvenience of fleas taking up residence in your home, getting rid of them is difficult. Chemical fogs or sprays made to kills fleas are unsafe to humans and all pets. Rid your carpet of fleas naturally without risking your health.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Diatomaceous earth
• Dish detergent
• Salt

1. Treat your dog or cat at the same time that you treat your carpet. Many pet owners have rid pets from fleas by bathing them in Dawn dish detergent.

2. Vacuum thoroughly and often as fleas in various stages of development probably live in your carpet. Either dispose of your vacuum bag in a secured plastic trash bag or add borax or diatomaceous earth (DE) to your vacuum bag to kill fleas.

3. Sprinkle your carpet with salt, which should kill fleas and eggs. Wait 24 hours and then vacuum up.

4. Rid your carpet of fleas in every inch of your carpet, including under and behind furniture.

5. Dust DE directly on carpet for stubborn pests. While DE is generally safe for humans, you still might want to wear eye protection and a dust mask so that you don't breathe in the dust.

6. Steam clean your carpet with a borax and water mixture in a carpet cleaner. The water drowns adult fleas and the borax attaches to the carpet to stop new fleas from maturing. This can be an effective treatment for up to a year.

Tips & Warnings

• Other possible treatments for dogs include adding brewer's yeast to their food, which releases an odor that causes fleas to go elsewhere. You can also use a flea comb to remove fleas from Fido and then drown the suckers by dipping the comb in a cup of soapy water.
• Consider putting pets on a long-term flea control treatment like Program or Frontline so that your pets don't reinfest your carpets with fleas.
• If you believe that fleas have infested your yard, try spreading DE in flea hot spots or pet bedding.
• Many veterinarians recommend against using flea collars, which can make pets sick.