What to do if fleas appear in an apartment, how to get rid of them at home? - briefly
Vacuum all carpets, floors, and upholstery thoroughly, wash bedding and pet linens in hot water, and apply a pet‑safe flea spray or powder to infested zones. Repeat cleaning and treatment weekly for four weeks while using a veterinary‑approved flea prevention on pets to ensure complete eradication.
What to do if fleas appear in an apartment, how to get rid of them at home? - in detail
If a flea infestation is discovered in a dwelling, immediate, systematic action is required to eradicate the pests and prevent recurrence.
First, identify all affected zones. Check bedding, carpets, upholstery, and floor seams for live insects or dark specks (flea feces). Examine pets closely, focusing on the neck, tail base, and underbelly. Use a fine-toothed flea comb to collect specimens for confirmation.
Next, reduce the adult population through thorough cleaning:
- Vacuum every carpet, rug, and upholstered surface twice daily for at least one week. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag and place it in an outdoor trash container.
- Wash all removable fabrics—sheets, pillowcases, blankets, pet bedding—at a minimum temperature of 60 °C (140 °F). Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Steam‑clean carpets and upholstery. The combination of heat and moisture kills both adults and immature stages.
Treat the animal hosts simultaneously:
- Apply a veterinarian‑approved topical or oral flea medication that provides at least one month of protection. Follow the dosage schedule precisely.
- Administer a monthly insect growth regulator (IGR) product (e.g., methoprene or pyriproxyfen) to interrupt the life cycle by preventing eggs from hatching.
Address the environment with residual insecticides:
- Select a product labeled for indoor use against fleas, containing an adulticide (e.g., permethrin, cyfluthrin) and an IGR. Apply according to label directions, covering cracks, baseboards, and under furniture.
- For severe cases, consider a professional pest‑control service that can apply foggers or heat treatments safely.
Maintain a preventive routine:
- Keep the home dry; reduce humidity to below 50 % with a dehumidifier if necessary, because moist conditions favor flea development.
- Trim grass and vegetation around exterior walls; remove debris where wildlife may harbor fleas.
- Repeat vacuuming and washing cycles weekly for the next four weeks to capture any newly emerged adults.
By executing these steps in a coordinated manner—inspection, thorough cleaning, pet treatment, targeted insecticide use, and ongoing prevention—the flea population can be eliminated and the risk of future infestations minimized.