What should I wash the floor with to get rid of fleas? - briefly
Apply hot water mixed with a pet‑safe flea spray or a diluted dish‑soap solution and scrub the floor thoroughly. Rinse the area and allow it to dry completely.
What should I wash the floor with to get rid of fleas? - in detail
Effective floor treatment for flea elimination requires a multi‑stage approach that combines mechanical removal, chemical control, and environmental hygiene.
Begin with thorough vacuuming of all carpeted and hard‑surface areas. Use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter, moving slowly to dislodge adult fleas, eggs, and larvae. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag and discard it immediately to prevent reinfestation.
Follow vacuuming with a steam‑cleaning session on hard floors and low‑pile carpet. Steam at a temperature of at least 100 °C for a minimum of 10 minutes per surface. The high heat kills all life stages of fleas without leaving chemical residues.
Apply a flea‑specific insecticidal solution to hard floors. Choose a product containing an insect growth regulator (IGR) such as pyriproxyfen or methoprene, combined with an adulticide like permethrin or fipronil. Dilute according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically 1 ml of concentrate per 1 liter of water. Mop the floor, ensuring the solution remains wet for the recommended contact time of 10–15 minutes before drying.
For carpeted areas, sprinkle a fine layer of «diatomaceous earth» (food‑grade) after vacuuming. Leave the powder for 24 hours, then vacuum thoroughly. The abrasive particles desiccate fleas and their immature stages.
If chemical usage is restricted, consider a solution of diluted white vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) combined with a few drops of essential oil known for repellent properties, such as «lavender» or «eucalyptus». Mop the floor, allow it to air‑dry, and repeat daily for 3 days.
Finally, maintain low indoor humidity (below 50 %) and regular cleaning schedules to deter flea development. Repeating the above procedures weekly for at least 2 weeks ensures complete eradication and prevents recurrence.