How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House: 3 Prevention Methods

Fleas are small, flightless insects that survive off the blood of birds and mammal hosts. These parasites can travel quickly and jump more than two hundred times their body length. Once they land on an unsuspecting animal, they will hook into its flesh with their claws and feed on the animal’s blood and dead skin. These flea bites are often the first signs of a flea infestation, but you should stay vigilant for other signs, such as flea pupae or cocoons, if you live in areas where fleas flourish.

If you discover fleas in your home, it’s imperative you take swift action to remove them since flea bites can lead to infections, diseases, and other issues for you and your pets. Here are a handful of flea treatment and extermination strategies you can employ to rid your home of these annoying and dangerous insects:

1. 1. Hire an exterminator or pest control professional. If bed bugs, fleas, or ticks have multiplied to infestation levels, it’s advisable to consider ditching all DIY remedies and consult professionals to address the problem. These professionals have the knowledge and equipment necessary to apply a chemical treatment or fogger to treat fleas at their various life stages. An exterminator can also advise you on how to reduce the risk of future infestations.
2. 2. Install an insect growth regulator (IGR) in your home. These capsules contain a potent insecticide that disrupts the flea life cycle. Many pest control specialists consider an IGR one of the safest flea control methods; however, you should refrain from placing one within the reach of pets and children. Install these pesticide devices in enclosed cupboards or other areas of your house that show signs of an infestation.
3. 3. Vacuum your home thoroughly. A female flea will often leave eggs and larvae in cracks and crevices between baseboards, floorboards, or cabinetry units. Sweep these trouble areas with a strong vacuum cleaner and remove the vacuum bag for immediate disposal. Change the vacuum bag outside so the flea larvae don’t have enough time to hatch and escape your vacuum.
4. 4. Wash any upholstery your pet touches regularly. Carefully gather your pet's bedding and any other blankets or upholstery they frequent. Wash all these materials with hot water and a baking soda detergent. If possible, try natural flea treatment options before you use a chemical treatment strategy since natural remedies will avoid further health risks to your pets and family members. If natural and synthetic treatments are unsuccessful in ridding fleas from your upholstered furniture, you might need to dispose of the belongings and purchase replacement pieces.

Once you’ve rid your household of a flea infestation—or if you want to avoid the issue in the first place—it’s a good idea to practice flea prevention strategies. Consider these methods for avoiding an infestation in your home:

• Investigate your pet's fur with a flea comb. Dogs and cats are often the primary carriers of adult fleas. Mature fleas are only an eighth of an inch long, so you might have difficulty spotting them with the naked eye. You might also find patches of a dark, red-brown, dirt-like substance in your pet's fur. This substance could be dust or filth from your yard, but if your dog is scratching around this area, it might be flea dirt (feces left behind by the parasites).
• Maintain excellent home and pet hygiene. You can avoid the health risks fleas present by cleaning your home thoroughly and washing your pets regularly with soapy water, flea shampoo, or a prescription topical flea treatment. You can also outfit your pups with flea collars to ward off hungry insects. There are usually flea spray options available at home improvement stores—spray these products in spaces your pet frequents in the home. Read the directions carefully to avoid exposing your pet and family to harmful toxins.
• Recognize common signs of fleas. Two of the most common signs of flea infestation in a home are flea eggs and flea dirt. You can dramatically reduce the number of adult fleas in your home by combating their population before they hatch from their eggs. Flea eggs are similar in size and appearance to a granule of sea salt or a sesame seed. If you spot flea eggs, take action immediately to rid your home of them—before they have the chance to become adult fleas.

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