How to treat a cat's house for fleas? - briefly
Strip the cat’s bedding, wash it in hot water with detergent, then vacuum the entire area and treat surfaces with a pet‑safe flea spray or diatomaceous earth. Repeat cleaning weekly until fleas are eliminated.
How to treat a cat's house for fleas? - in detail
Treating a flea‑infested cat habitat requires a systematic approach that eliminates adult insects, immature stages, and eggs while preventing re‑infestation.
First, remove all bedding, blankets, and removable cushions. Wash them in hot water (≥130 °F/54 °C) for at least 30 minutes, then tumble‑dry on high heat. If items cannot be laundered, place them in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks to starve any hidden fleas.
Second, vacuum every surface of the enclosure, including corners, seams, and under furniture. Use a brush‑roll attachment to dislodge eggs and larvae. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed trash bag and remove it from the home.
Third, apply an environmental insecticide approved for indoor use. Choose a product containing an adulticide (e.g., permethrin, pyrethrins) combined with an insect growth regulator (IGR) such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen. Follow label directions precisely:
- Spray all fabric, carpet, and hard‑floor areas within the cat’s range.
- Treat hidden spaces like cracks, baseboards, and the undersides of furniture.
- Keep pets and people out of the treated zone for the recommended ventilation period, usually 2–4 hours.
Fourth, repeat the treatment after 7–10 days. The IGR will prevent newly hatched fleas from maturing, while the second adulticide application kills any survivors that emerged after the first spray.
Fifth, maintain ongoing protection:
- Use a monthly flea collar or spot‑on medication on the cat.
- Keep the house dry and clean; humidity above 80 % favors flea development.
- Inspect the pet’s coat weekly, combing with a fine‑toothed flea comb and disposing of any captured insects in soapy water.
By combining thorough cleaning, targeted chemical control, and continuous preventive measures, the cat’s living area can be rendered flea‑free and remain so over the long term.