How to get rid of fleas in a house using a trap? - briefly
Place a shallow dish of warm, soapy water under a bright lamp at night; the heat and light draw fleas upward where they drown. Combine this with routine vacuuming and laundering of bedding to eliminate any survivors.
How to get rid of fleas in a house using a trap? - in detail
Fleas can be controlled effectively by setting a purpose‑built trap that exploits their attraction to heat, carbon dioxide, and darkness. The following procedure outlines the required materials, construction steps, placement strategy, and post‑trap actions.
Materials
- A shallow plastic or metal tray (approximately 15 × 15 cm)
- Warm water (about 40 °C)
- A few drops of liquid dish soap
- A small incandescent light bulb or a low‑wattage LED lamp
- A piece of dark fabric or black paper
- A timer or automatic shut‑off device (optional)
Construction
- Fill the tray with warm water, ensuring the level is low enough that insects cannot drown immediately.
- Add the soap; it reduces surface tension, causing fleas that land on the water to sink.
- Place the light source directly above the tray, angled to illuminate the water surface.
- Cover the sides of the tray with the dark material, leaving only a narrow opening at the top. The darkness mimics a safe harbor for the insects.
- Secure the setup on a stable surface away from direct foot traffic.
Placement
- Position traps in areas where flea activity is highest: near pet bedding, along baseboards, under furniture, and in warm, humid rooms.
- Elevate the trap a few centimeters off the floor to prevent interference from pets.
- Deploy multiple units if infestation is widespread, spacing them 1–2 m apart.
Operation
- Run the light continuously for at least 12 hours each night; fleas are most active during dusk and early morning.
- If a timer is used, set it to switch off after 8 hours to conserve energy while maintaining effectiveness.
- Check the trap every 24 hours, emptying collected fleas, replenishing warm soapy water, and cleaning the tray to prevent bacterial growth.
Follow‑up
- After several days of consistent trapping, treat the environment with an approved insecticide or an integrated pest‑management program to eradicate remaining eggs and larvae.
- Wash pet bedding, vacuum carpets, and steam‑clean upholstery to remove residual stages.
- Maintain traps for an additional 3–5 days to confirm that the population has been suppressed before discontinuing use.
By adhering to this systematic approach, the flea burden can be reduced dramatically without resorting to extensive chemical applications.