How to kill household fleas in the home? - briefly
Apply a veterinarian‑approved flea spray or fogger to all rooms, wash bedding and fabrics in hot water, vacuum carpets and upholstery daily, and discard the vacuum bag after use. Treat pets with a monthly oral or topical flea preventive to prevent reinfestation.
How to kill household fleas in the home? - in detail
Eliminating fleas from a residence requires simultaneous attack on adult insects, developing larvae, and dormant eggs.
Begin with thorough cleaning. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery daily; discard vacuum bags or clean canisters immediately. Launder all bedding, pet blankets, and removable covers in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and dry on high heat.
Apply approved insecticidal products. Use a spray formulated for indoor use, covering floors, baseboards, and hidden crevices. For larger areas, employ a fogger following label instructions, ensuring occupants and pets vacate the space for the required period. Spot‑on powders containing permethrin or pyrethrins can be dusted into cracks and under furniture.
Introduce non‑chemical measures where appropriate. Sprinkle food‑grade diatomaceous earth on carpets and pet sleeping areas; leave for 24 hours before vacuuming. Distribute a thin layer of coarse salt on rugs to desiccate larvae. Apply a solution of boric acid (1 % concentration) to cracks, avoiding direct contact with pets.
Treat animals concurrently. Administer veterinary‑approved oral or topical flea medication according to the prescribed schedule. Use flea collars containing regulated active ingredients only when approved by a veterinarian.
Address external sources. Trim grass and vegetation around the home’s perimeter, reduce outdoor humidity, and treat pet resting spots in the yard with a suitable outdoor flea spray.
Maintain vigilance for at least four weeks, the duration of the flea life cycle. Repeat vacuuming and laundering every 48 hours, reapply insecticidal spray weekly, and monitor with sticky traps placed near baseboards. Continuation of these steps prevents re‑infestation and ensures long‑term control.