To effectively get rid of fleas, you need to treat both your pets and their environment simultaneously, addressing all flea life stages (eggs, larvae, cocoons, adults). Here are the key steps:
Treat Your Pets
- Use veterinarian-recommended topical flea treatments (e.g., Frontline, Revolution) or oral medications (e.g., Bravecto, Capstar) that kill fleas on your pet and prevent new ones from hatching
- Bathe your pet with flea shampoo containing pyrethrin or similar ingredients to kill fleas on contact
- Regularly wash your pet’s bedding in hot water and dry it on high heat to kill fleas and eggs
Clean Your Home Thoroughly
- Vacuum floors, carpets, upholstery, mattresses, and pet resting spots daily, focusing on cracks and crevices where fleas hide. Dispose of vacuum bags or contents immediately in sealed bags outside your home
- Use a steam cleaner on carpets, upholstery, and pet beds; heat and soap kill fleas at all life stages
- Wash all bedding (yours and your pet’s) in hot, soapy water and dry on the highest heat setting
- Consider using pet-safe flea sprays or insect growth regulators (IGRs) in your home to kill adult fleas and prevent eggs from hatching. Follow product instructions carefully
Treat Your Yard (if applicable)
- Mow the lawn regularly and remove debris where fleas hide, especially in shaded, humid, and warm areas
- Spread natural repellents like cedar chips or use nematodes that eat flea larvae
- Avoid overwatering to reduce humid conditions favorable to fleas
- Keep wildlife that carry fleas away from your yard
Additional Natural Remedies
- Sprinkle baking soda or salt on carpets, scrub lightly, let sit, then vacuum to dehydrate and kill fleas
- Use lemon spray (infused lemon water sprayed on infested areas) to repel fleas naturally
- Use rosemary spray on your pet to repel fleas
When to Call Professionals
- If the infestation is severe or persistent despite these efforts, consider hiring a professional pest control service for thorough treatment
By combining pet treatment, rigorous cleaning, environmental control, and possibly professional help, you can effectively eliminate fleas from your home and pets
