How To Get Rid Of Fleas

Getting rid of fleas yourself can be challenging because fleas have a complex life cycle and infest not only pets but also carpets, furniture, and even cracks in flooring. However, if a home or business owner wants to tackle a flea problem without immediately calling our professionals, a combination of thorough cleaning, chemical control, and preventative measures can be effective. Here’s how to get rid of fleas:

Treat Pets (if applicable)

Fleas typically start on animals before moving into the home. Treating pets is the first step:

Use veterinarian-approved flea treatments: Topical treatments, oral medications, or flea collars designed for dogs or cats.
Flea combs: Comb your pets daily with a fine-toothed flea comb to remove adult fleas and eggs.
Regular bathing: Use a flea shampoo to kill adult fleas on pets.

Note: Only treat pets with products approved for their species, age, and weight.

Thorough Cleaning of the Environment

Fleas spend most of their lifecycle off the host, hiding in carpets, bedding, and furniture. Cleaning is crucial:

Vacuuming: Vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture, baseboards, and under furniture daily. Empty the vacuum bag or canister outside to prevent reinfestation.
Wash bedding and fabrics: Wash pet bedding, human bedding, and removable furniture covers in hot water (at least 140°F / 60°C) and dry on high heat.
Steam cleaning: Steam cleaners can kill fleas and eggs in carpets and upholstery.

Flea Treatments for the Home

If cleaning alone doesn’t eliminate fleas, chemical or natural treatments may be necessary:

Insecticides (for adults): Products with permethrin, pyrethrin, or resmethrin are effective for killing adult fleas. Apply according to the label, focusing on carpets, rugs, baseboards, and pet resting areas.
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): IGRs like methoprene or pyriproxyfen prevent flea eggs and larvae from maturing into adults. Use in combination with adulticides for long-term control.
Diatomaceous earth (food-grade): Sprinkle on carpets and rugs; it dries out flea exoskeletons. Leave for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum thoroughly.

Outdoor Flea Control (if applicable)

Fleas often originate from outdoor areas where pets or wildlife roam:

Lawn maintenance: Mow grass regularly and remove leaf litter or debris where fleas hide.
Targeted insecticides: Pyrethrin-based products can be used for shaded, moist areas where fleas thrive.
Keep pets away from untreated areas until the treatment is safe.

Prevention

Once the infestation is under control, preventing reinfestation is key:

Ongoing pet treatment: Continue flea control on pets year-round or seasonally, depending on your region.
Regular vacuuming and laundering: Keeps flea populations from reestablishing.
Monitor wildlife: Keep stray animals away from your yard, and seal gaps where wildlife may enter the building.

Important Considerations

Flea infestations can be stubborn; it often takes several weeks to completely eradicate them because eggs and larvae can survive cleaning and chemical treatments.
DIY methods are generally more effective for small or early infestations. Severe infestations often require our professional pest control; we can provide stronger treatments and long-term guarantees.
Always follow safety instructions for chemicals, especially around children and pets.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Fleas

Our professional pest control is the best way to eliminate fleas because fleas are notoriously resilient, have a complex life cycle, and can infest areas that are difficult to reach with DIY methods. Here’s why hiring our experts is superior to self-treatment:

Comprehensive Treatment of the Flea Life Cycle

Fleas exist in four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Many DIY treatments only target adult fleas, which are just a small fraction of the population. Our professional pest control services:

Use insect growth regulators (IGRs) that prevent eggs and larvae from maturing into reproductive adults.
Treats hidden flea habitats, such as cracks in flooring, furniture seams, and under carpets, where eggs and pupae can survive.
Ensures long-term control, not just a temporary reduction in visible fleas.

Stronger, More Effective Treatments

Our professionals have access to commercial-grade insecticides that are more effective than store-bought options.
Treatments are specifically formulated for indoor and outdoor infestations, targeting the entire environment while minimizing risk to humans and pets when applied correctly.
Some methods can reach fleas in areas that are virtually impossible to treat yourself.

Faster and More Thorough Results

Flea infestations can take weeks or months to resolve with DIY methods.
Our pest control professionals can eradicate the infestation more quickly, reducing discomfort and health risks.
Their treatments are strategically timed to interrupt the flea life cycle, preventing reinfestation.

Expertise and Safety

Our professionals know how to identify flea hotspots and how infestations spread in homes or businesses.
We choose the safest and most effective products for your environment, pets, and family members.
Reduces the risk of misusing chemicals, which can be ineffective or even dangerous if done incorrectly.

Preventive Guidance

After treatment, our professionals can advise on ongoing prevention, including recommendations for pets, outdoor areas, and sanitation practices.
Prevents the need for repeated DIY attempts, saving time, money, and stress.

Fleas are small, fast-breeding, and difficult to fully eradicate without our professional approach. DIY methods can reduce numbers temporarily, but our professional pest control is the only way to guarantee complete, lasting elimination and prevent reinfestation.