How should I clean the house to remove fleas? - briefly
Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery thoroughly, then immediately discard the bag or clean the canister, and wash all bedding, pet blankets, and curtains in hot water. Follow with a flea‑specific spray or powder applied to baseboards, cracks, and pet resting areas, while treating pets with an appropriate flea product.
How should I clean the house to remove fleas? - in detail
Effective flea eradication begins with a thorough purge of all potential habitats. Remove pet bedding, wash it in hot water (≥ 130 °F) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum every carpet, rug, and upholstered surface repeatedly; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately to prevent re‑infestation. After each session, apply a flea‑killing powder or spray that is approved for indoor use, focusing on seams, edges, and hidden crevices.
- Prepare the environment – declutter rooms, store away items that cannot be cleaned, and seal cracks in flooring or walls.
- Treat flooring – mop hard surfaces with a solution containing an insect growth regulator (IGR) such as methoprene; allow the floor to remain damp for the manufacturer‑specified contact time.
- Sanitize fabrics – launder curtains, blankets, and removable pillow covers in hot water; for non‑washable items, steam‑clean or freeze (≤ 0 °F for 48 hours) to kill all life stages.
- Address pet areas – bathe pets with a veterinarian‑approved flea shampoo, then apply a topical or oral medication that interrupts the flea life cycle.
- Repeat vacuuming – conduct a second thorough vacuuming 48 hours after the initial treatment, followed by a final round one week later.
Maintain a low‑humidity environment (≤ 50 %) to hinder egg development, and schedule regular inspections of pets and bedding. Continue using a monthly preventive product on animals and reapply indoor treatments according to label instructions until no fleas are observed for at least two weeks. This systematic approach eliminates existing infestations and blocks future outbreaks.