How to fight black fleas in an apartment? - briefly
Thoroughly vacuum carpets, upholstery, and floor seams, then wash all linens and fabrics in hot water; follow with a licensed flea‑kill spray applied to baseboards, cracks, and pet bedding, repeating the treatment after seven days to break the life cycle.
How to fight black fleas in an apartment? - in detail
Black fleas, also known as cat or dog fleas, can infest a flat quickly if left unchecked. Successful eradication requires a systematic approach that targets adult insects, immature stages, and the environment where they develop.
First, confirm the presence of fleas by inspecting bedding, carpet edges, and pet fur for small, dark, fast‑moving insects or tiny dark specks (flea dirt). Use a fine‑toothed flea comb on pets and collect any specimens for identification.
Next, treat the living spaces:
- Vacuum every carpet, rug, and upholstered surface thoroughly. Move furniture to reach hidden areas, then immediately dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the canister with hot, soapy water.
- Wash all removable textiles—bedding, curtains, pet blankets—at the highest temperature the fabric tolerates (≥ 60 °C). Dry on a high‑heat setting for at least 30 minutes.
- Apply a residual insecticide spray or powder labeled for indoor flea control to cracks, baseboards, and under furniture. Choose products containing ingredients such as permethrin, methoprene, or pyriproxyfen, which affect both adults and larvae. Follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions, especially regarding ventilation and pet exposure.
- For severe infestations, consider a fogger or aerosol “total release fogger” that distributes fine particles throughout the room. Use only in a sealed environment; vacate the apartment for the recommended period before re‑entry.
Treat pets simultaneously:
- Administer a veterinarian‑approved topical or oral flea medication that provides rapid kill of adult fleas and interrupts the life cycle. Repeat the treatment according to the product’s schedule (usually every 30 days).
- Bathe pets with a flea‑killing shampoo, focusing on the neck, tail base, and underbelly. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Monitor progress:
- Place sticky flea traps near baseboards and under furniture to catch jumping insects. Check traps daily for at least two weeks.
- Continue weekly vacuuming and laundering of bedding for the duration of the flea life cycle (approximately 2–3 weeks) to remove newly hatched larvae and pupae.
Prevent future invasions:
- Keep pets on regular preventive medication.
- Maintain low indoor humidity (≤ 50 %) to discourage flea development.
- Seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and baseboards to limit entry points.
- Use a light‑dusting of diatomaceous earth on carpets and pet areas; the abrasive particles damage flea exoskeletons.
If after 10–14 days the infestation persists despite thorough application of the above measures, enlist a licensed pest‑control professional. They can apply industrial‑strength treatments and conduct a detailed inspection to locate hidden breeding sites.