Things You'll Need
Oral or topical pet flea treatment
Washing machine
Laundry detergent
Vacuum cleaner
Carpet-shampooing machine
Residual flea insecticide
Fleas are disliked by many people because they can carry and spread diseases and are linked to unsanitary conditions. The insects, which feed on human and animal blood, commonly enter your home by hitching a ride from your pets. Once this happens, fleas can multiply quickly, because the female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day and approximately 2,000 eggs during its lifetime. To clean your house of fleas, you have to kill the fleas and the flea eggs. If you don't eliminate the eggs, new fleas will keep emerging in your home.
Step 1
Treat flea-infested pets with oral or topical flea treatments. Pet flea treatments kill any fleas and flea eggs residing on your pet. If your pet frequently swims or if it is frequently washed, use an oral flea treatment.
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Step 2
Wash pet bedding, bed sheets and pillow cases with hot water and laundry detergent. This will eliminate flea residue on the fabrics.
Step 3
Pick up toys, pet food dishes, boxes, items stored under beds, and any other items on the floor that may interfere with cleaning the carpet.
Step 4
Vacuum the house thoroughly, including tile and hardwood floors, and pay special attention to areas your pets may frequent. Vacuuming kills adult fleas, flea eggs and larvae that are hiding in the carpet. It also stimulates fleas to emerge from their cocoons faster, so they can be killed by your follow-up treatment. Tie up the vacuum cleaner bag and place it in the trash outside.
Step 5
Vacuuming alone may not always remove all larvae, so to ensure all flea residue is gone, shampoo your carpets with a carpet-shampooing machine and allow them to air dry.
Step 6
Apply a residual insecticide for fleas to your carpets to ward off fleas for a long period. Flea insecticide commonly comes in an aerosol can or in dust-form. Follow the application and safety instructions on the product label. Wear goggle, gloves and a fume mask if required. Cover all areas of your home, including underneath furniture and appliances and in pet sleeping areas. Open windows or turn on a fan to reduce fumes and to help the application dry quickly. Some insecticides may tell you to refrain from vacuuming after the application, while others may tell you to vacuum regularly.
Tip
Treat your pet with flea treatments early in the year to prevent fleas during spring and early summer, when they are prevalent.
Regularly monitor your home for the presence of fleas. Brush your pet with a flea brush or comb to check for fleas. Walk on your carpet wearing knee-high, white socks. If fleas are still present, they will jump on the socks and you will be able to see them.
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