How can I get rid of fleas in the apartment at home? - briefly
Vacuum every carpet, rug, and upholstered surface, then discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister, and wash all bedding, curtains, and pet fabrics in hot water. Apply a licensed flea spray or fogger containing an adulticide and an insect growth regulator, and treat all pets with a veterinarian‑approved flea medication.
How can I get rid of fleas in the apartment at home? - in detail
Eliminating fleas from a dwelling requires a systematic approach that targets all life stages of the parasite.
First, locate the infestation. Examine bedding, carpets, upholstery, and pet sleeping areas for adult insects, small dark specks (flea dirt), and tiny, moving larvae. Use a bright flashlight to improve visibility.
Second, remove the adult population.
- Wash all bedding, curtains, and removable fabrics at temperatures of at least 60 °C (140 °F).
- Vacuum every carpet, rug, and upholstered surface thoroughly; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately after use.
- Apply a residual insecticide spray or fogger labeled for indoor flea control, following label directions for dosage and ventilation.
Third, interrupt the development cycle.
- Sprinkle a fine layer of diatomaceous earth on carpets and pet areas; leave for 24 hours before vacuuming.
- Use an insect growth regulator (IGR) product that prevents eggs and larvae from maturing.
Fourth, treat pets, which are the primary hosts.
- Administer a veterinarian‑approved topical or oral flea medication that offers rapid kill and long‑term protection.
- Comb the animal’s coat with a fine‑toothed flea comb daily for a week, disposing of captured insects in soapy water.
Fifth, prevent re‑infestation.
- Maintain weekly vacuuming of all floor coverings.
- Keep pet bedding and sleeping zones clean and regularly laundered.
- Apply a monthly preventive treatment to animals as prescribed.
By following these steps—identification, adult eradication, life‑cycle interruption, host treatment, and ongoing prevention—the flea problem can be fully resolved. Regular monitoring will confirm that the environment remains free of the parasite.