How to Get Rid of Fleas in Mattresses

Fleas feed on animal and human blood and can cause skin irritations, allergic reactions, anemia and death. They can also carry tapeworms which can be passed to animals and humans through infected fleas that have been ingested. Although rare, known diseases transmitted by fleas include typhus and bubonic plague. Mattresses can harbor all stages of fleas that fall from pets. Treating all parts of your home and your pets is important to prevent them from infesting your mattress.

Things You'll Need

• Steam cleaner
• Vacuum
• Boric acid
• Salt
• Chemical flea spray
• Chemical fogger

Instructions

1. Steam clean all parts of the bed. Steam cleaning kills adults, larvae and eggs.

2. Vacuum all parts of the mattress including the box springs once or twice daily. Immediately dispose of the vacuum bag to prevent fleas from escaping.

3. Wash any sheets that have been on the bed. Use the hottest setting on both the washer and dryer. This will kill fleas and their eggs.

4. Sprinkle boric acid or ground up salt onto the mattress and vacuum daily. This treatment dehydrates fleas, larva and eggs over time.

5. Use a chemical fogger or flea spray. These products kill pre-adult and adult fleas.

6. Prevent flea infested animals from sleeping on the mattress. This will prevent fleas or flea eggs from falling onto the mattress which would start the infestation again.

Tips & Warnings

• Read all labels before using any chemical flea spray or fogger.

• Boric acid and salt dust can pose a risk to small animals.

References

• Flea Prevention