How to Get Rid of Household Fleas

Having pets is one way a home flea infestation can occur.

It is important to understand the four life cycles of fleas in order to get rid of them completely. An adult flea feeds on the blood of a host, like a family pet, in order to reproduce. It only takes two days for her to lay her first batch of eggs. Those eggs morph into larvae, which hide in dark corners before entering the pupa stage and finally the adult stage. This entire cycle takes only two weeks. When attempting to rid your home of fleas, you must, therefore, be aggressive in order to remove fleas at all stages of development.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner
• Garbage bags
• Washing powder
• Steam machine
• Flea dip for pets
• Flea pesticide

Instructions

1. Remove your pet from the home until you can give him a flea dip. Gather materials such as bedding and toys that your pet has been near and place in a garbage bag while transporting to your washing machine. Wash anything in your home that can safely be put in the washing machine, such as blankets, pillows and rugs. Wash in soapy water to kill the fleas and their eggs. Do all of these things the same day.

2. Remove items not suitable for machine-washing permanently from the home. If there is something you cannot part with, place it in a plastic garbage bag with flea pesticide. Close it as tightly as possible, leaving it for at least two weeks, preferably outside of your home.

3. Sweep and vacuum every area of your home thoroughly. Do not assume any area is flea-free. Vacuum all crevices and corners, as well as furniture and mattresses. Place a flea collar inside of your vacuum cleaner bag. The poisonous vapor will help to stun the fleas and may keep them from hopping out until you can empty the bag. Empty the vacuum bag into a garbage bag, and seal and remove from your home immediately. Vacuum every day until your flea problem is solved.

   Treat the outside areas of your home by spraying flea pesticide around doors and windows.

4. Steam clean your carpets, furniture and floors as soon as possible. If you do not own a steam cleaner, you can rent one for a day or hire professional carpet cleaners. Rental prices vary.

5. Hire a pest control company to come to your home and perform an infrared heat treatment, if all else fails. This, as well as treating your home with professional insecticides, will work when nothing else does.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to use a pesticide in your home, make sure the label states it is appropriate for home use.

• Do not treat your cat and dog with the same flea killer.

• Always keep the safety of children in mind when using pesticides.

References

• University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service: "Help! Fleas are biting my pet!"
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: "Fleas"
• Dog Flea Control