How can house floors be washed to remove fleas? - briefly
Use a hot‑water solution containing an insecticidal detergent, then mop or steam‑clean the floor, keeping it saturated for at least ten minutes to eradicate all flea life stages. After the surface dries, vacuum thoroughly and repeat the treatment weekly until fleas are no longer present.
How can house floors be washed to remove fleas? - in detail
Effective removal of fleas from interior flooring requires a systematic approach that combines mechanical extraction, chemical treatment, and thorough drying.
Begin with a complete vacuuming of all surfaces. Use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to capture adult fleas, larvae, and eggs. Operate the machine slowly, overlapping each pass to ensure maximum pickup. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag and discard it outdoors.
Next, apply a steam‑cleaning procedure. Set the steamer to a temperature of at least 130 °C (266 °F); this level is sufficient to kill all life stages of the parasite. Move the steam head methodically across tiles, laminate, hardwood, and low‑pile carpet, maintaining a consistent speed to allow the heat to penetrate the material.
After steam treatment, wash the floor with an appropriate detergent solution. Prepare a mixture of warm water (≈40 °C) and a flea‑killing concentrate such as a pyrethrin‑based floor cleaner, following the manufacturer’s recommended dilution ratio. Mop the surface, ensuring the solution remains in contact with the material for the minimum contact time specified (typically 5–10 minutes). Rinse with clean water to remove residual chemicals.
Allow the floor to dry completely. Use fans or open windows to promote air circulation; moisture encourages flea development, so drying must be thorough.
For carpeted areas, supplement the above steps with a targeted flea spray. Choose a product approved for indoor use, apply evenly according to label directions, and let it dry before walking on the carpet.
Finally, repeat the entire cleaning cycle after 48 hours. Flea eggs may hatch during this interval; a second treatment ensures any newly emerged insects are eliminated.
Adhering to this protocol—vacuum, steam, detergent wash, thorough drying, and a follow‑up repeat—provides comprehensive eradication of fleas from all types of residential flooring.