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How to Get Rid of Fleas
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Adult fleas feed on the living blood of mammals and their young feed on dried blood that has been defecated by the adults. Pretty nasty, huh? Read on and we’ll conquer these nasty little insects together.
1. Destroy fleas in the environment
Fleas live on their host, but eggs can be left both on the host and in the host’s bedding. The eggs that are left on the host will fall off and accumulate in beds, clothes, carpets, cars, and anyplace that the host visits. These eggs normally hatch in 1-2 weeks, after which the fleas emerge as larvae that can live in carpets and bedding for up to 200 days before transforming into legless pupae. If conditions are still not quite right, the pupae can sit dormant for over a year before transforming into an adult! This means that many generations of flea eggs can accumulate and lead to a mass-infestation!
The first step after infestation is to clean everything that has come into contact with the infested persons or animals in order to remove as many eggs and larvae as possible. This section will walk you through this process.
Environmental flea extermination: Initial steps
- Quarantine infested pets.
- Collect bedding, rugs and throws and wash them in soapy water. Soapy water kills the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Be careful not to spill eggs or larvae when picking them up. Eggs are usually found with tiny pellets of dried blood that are defecated by the adults and used for food by the larvae - the combination looks like salt and pepper. Really gross salt and pepper.
Vacuum everything. upholstered furniture, carpets, cracks in the floor, bare floors, and use the attachments to get in the corners, behind doors, and anywhere else that dust collects. This will pick up most of the eggs, but larvae will latch onto carpet fibers and stick around. After vacuuming, immediately remove the vacuum bag and seal it in a plastic bag. This bag can then be put into the freezer to kill any fleas and be reused later.- The remaining larvae can be dealt with by having the carpets professionally steam-cleaned (the steam will kill every stage of flea except eggs). Make sure you warn the cleaners about the fleas and remove infested animals. Alternatively, you can shampoo the carpet with insecticidal carpet shampoo or have a pest control professional apply an infrared heat treatment to the carpet, which kills all stages of flea.
- If your pet spends much time outside, drench his usual resting areas with lots of soap and water to drown any fleas that may be waiting for his return.
2. Flea removal from people and pets
Once the environment has been thoroughly cleaned, move immediately to it’s inhabitants. Following are details for removing fleas from people and pets.
Removing fleas from people
- Bathe one to two times daily with soap. Insecticidal shampoos are available but are not necessary.
- Comb daily with a special flea comb designed to drag fleas out of hiding and dispose of any rousted fleas in soapy water. Record daily the number of fleas removed so you can identify any population increase before it becomes a problem. You can also measure flea populations by wearing a special pair of flannel “booties” over your shoes and pants. The fleas get caught in the material and can then be counted, removed and disposed of. These booties can also be used for temporary protection when traveling into a flea infested area.
Removing fleas from pets
Please be very careful when applying flea treatments to yourself and your pets. Only use treatments that are meant for the animal you are going to use it on. Flea treatments meant for dogs and the environment can easily KILL cats. Also keep in mind that any insecticide is designed to interfere with natural biological processes - to kill.
- Wash your pet with soapy water. Insecticidal cat and dog flea shampoos are available but not necessary. Safer’s flea shampoo is one of the least toxic varieties. Stay away from shampoos that contain DEET (diethyltoluamide) as it can cause serious adverse reactions.
- Comb your pet daily with a special flea comb that is designed to extract fleas and dispose of any you find in soapy water. It is a good idea to record the number of fleas you comb out every day to keep a handle on the population numbers. Alternatively, you can wrap a length of sticky tape around your hand (sticky side out) and pat your animal down. This method works best on short haired animals.
Allergic reactions to flea bites
Allergic reactions to flea bites in humans are usually manifested as dermatitis, skin lesions and mild to severe itching. These symptoms can be improved by applying ice, menthol, camphor or calamine lotion to the bites. Over the counter insect repellents that contain diethyltoluamide (DEET) will repel fleas and lessen the frequency of bites. Apply repellents only to clothing, never to skin and never to your pets. Vitamin B1 taken orally has also been proven to repel fleas, so start taking a B-complex multivitamin. If your allergies are really bothering you, go see your doctor about getting flea saliva allergen treatments to lessen or eliminate the allergy altogether.
Pets that are allergic to flea bites will exhibit hair loss, usually around the base of the tail and often accompanied by relentless chewing of the area, often until it becomes raw. Pets can become allergic to flea bites because of poor health or poor nutrition so make sure your animal is getting plenty of protein and a balanced diet.
3. The flea control and elimination routine
You’ve waged the massive assault described earlier and exterminated the majority of the fleas, you must now follow up with a strict routine in order to kill off the remaining stragglers and ensure that they remain under control. You must be more efficient at killing the remaining few then they are at reproducing. This section will show you how to accomplish this, step by step. Keep up these practices for a few weeks after you stop seeing fleas to ensure success.
Flea control habits
- Restrict pets to areas that are easily cleaned. (No basements, bedrooms, garages, cars, etc)
- Vacuum daily since the previously applied steam cleaning can trigger any remaining eggs to hatch. Remember to seal up or dispose of vacuum bags immediately after use.
- Provide bedding for your pet that is easily removed and cleaned. Lay towels anywhere your pets like to lounge, and wash them all every week until the fleas are gone, and every two weeks after that. Be careful when picking them up as you can spill flea eggs and larvae/pupae if you’re not careful.
- Comb your pets daily with a special flea comb and record the number of fleas you find in the first 5-10 strokes so you can identify any surges in the population. Flick any fleas that are removed into soapy water to kill them and if a population spike occurs, bathe the pet.
Extreme flea control measures
The previous steps are usually enough to eliminate and control fleas, but in some extreme cases they can still be insufficient. If this describes your situation then consider the following in addition to the previous list:
- Apply a liquid insect growth regulator (IGR) to the environment. IGR’s inhibit the natural growth of insects (and so they only kill non-adult fleas) and can last for up to 200 days. Methoprene (FleaTrol and Precor) and Fenoxycard are two popular varieties.
- Regularly treat your pets outdoor resting areas with lots of soap and water.
Use a flea collar, but only for as long as is needed to control the fleas. Flea collars constantly emit a poisonous vapor that is breathed by both people and pets, and can cause health problems. If this is your pet’s first flea collar, check the skin underneath for irritation often.- Steam clean or shampoo the carpets in your home as frequently as is needed.
If this still isn’t enough, it’s time to call a professional and put the task in their hands. You’re probably exhausted anyway!
4. Popular flea control products
Please folks, consult your vet before using anything other than soap and water on your pets, some animals are very sensitive to this stuff and can get very ill or even die. All-natural flea control products derived from plant oils and crushed flowers can be just as toxic as chemicals so be careful, pets are family too.
Insect Growth Inhibitors (IGR’s)
IGR’s inhibit the natural growth processes of insects and can last for up to 200 days. These products will keep eggs, larvae, and pupae from evolving into adults, but will do nothing to control pre-existing adults. Methoprene (FleaTrol and Precor) and Fenoxycard are two popular varieties. Use these only with the complete control routine outlined above - they are not enough by themselves.
Citrus peel extracts (Limonene and Linalool)
Citrus peel extracts are among the safer treatments, but you need both limonene and linalool to kill fleas in all 4 stages of growth so make sure you choose a product that contains both of them. Use these for spot cleaning and beddings, but not entire rooms or outdoors. Use only EPA registered products directly on people or pets, as a poorly refined citrus extract can cause harm and even the death of your pet. Always consult your vet first.
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Sorptive dusts
Sorptive dusts kill fleas by dehydrating them, they absorb their moisture and damage their bodies. These dusts can be applied to carpets and animals but will irritate the lungs so wear a dust mask when applying and keep it out of your pets face. Diatomaceous earth is a popular and effective variety. They work well when applied to carpeting and pets (Don’t forget to get between the toes!). Short haired pets should get one dusting, long haired pets may need a second. Afterwards they should be limited in their mobility for a few hours to allow all of the fleas to contact the dust, otherwise the pet may dissipate too much dust through normal activity. Wait at least a week before wetting or washing the animal. After dusting your pets, vacuume and apply the dust to their usual resting locations, bedding, and travel routes. As with any flea treatment please consult your vet before applying to your pet, especially with cats who will lick much of it off of their fur.
Pyrethrins (organic and synthetic)
Pyrethrins is derived from the chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium flower and is one of the least toxic flea control products available. Unfortunately it is often packaged along with the somewhat more toxic chemical piperonyl butoxide which can cause severe health problems in humans. Make sure any product you use does not contain piperonyl butoxide. Also make sure that the solution contains no more than .04% active Pyrethrins. Higher levels can cause serious reactions in pets.
Flea collars
Flea collars work by constantly emitting poisonous vapors that kill any fleas on the animal. Unfortunately, these vapors can also be harmful to the pets and people that they are supposed to protect so use them sparingly and only for as long as needed. When not in use, store them in a tightly-sealed container in a cool, dry place. If you are putting a flea collar on your pet for the first time, check his or her skin underneath the collar often for any reaction.
Ultrasonic flea repellant devices and electronic flea collars
Beware of ultrasonic devices, there are several out there that claim to eliminate insects of all kinds, including fleas. A study was conducted by veterinarian M. W. Dryden that proves that these devices do not work. Don’t waste your money.
We recently had a litter of kittens born in our Grandchildren’s play room… Of course the room became infested with fleas… We didn’t want to use a spay in the room because of the kids…
We had to wait until the kittens were 6 weeks old, then we spayed the mother cat with Zodiac spay, and took a face cloth and spayed it, and wipped down the kittens with it, then I proceeded to fine comb the kittens. I kept a small bowl of water with oil in it to clean off the comb, and put the fleas that were combed out into the water. I also placed a glass bowl filled about 1/2 way with water and poured some cooking oil into the water, I placed a lamp near the bowl, and kept it one all day… (Be careful the lamp doesn’t fall into the water!!!). (Fleas are attracted to light and light colors..) The fleas will jump into the water solution, and not be able to get out. I also use a bagless vacuum and empty it ever day outside in a covered container…. It really worked well, without spaying anything around the house that would effect the kids….
use seven dust on your carpet all over your house leave down for 3 days or a weak, then vaccum repeat again until think there gone, also you can use it on your cat or dog it won’t hurt them wash them first let them air dry sprikle it on them afterwards use flea brush or comb to rub the powder in, use the frontline on them wait for 24 hours then bathe them again until you know ther gone, you begin to to die as soon you apply dust it kils them, also wah everthing in your house with soapy hot water to kill the eggs. ps do not get the power in the eyes be careful. repeat frontline one a month on the pets or advantage. you get the seven dust at walmart in home garden in small 5 pound bag good luck.
One more thing to try, Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil. Mix 5 tbls. of water to one tbls. of skin so soft. Soak cotton ball with the mix and dab it on the animal, or right on the fleas. It kills the fleas, but makes your pet’s skin soft and smells good too. It’s a hard way to do it but it works.
OOOPs I said the wrong name of topical it is ADVANTAGE, NOT ADVANCE. You can also apply the topical more than it says on the package, but not more than once a week. Keep fighting!!!!
Sorry I haven’t checked back since my fleas are gone!!!! The spray is by Zodiac Carpet Penetrating insect spray. It claims to kill adult fleas in 10 mins, eggs, larvae and ticks. I really think the steam cleaning and spraying helped. You must get the product to place on your pet. It works. You can buy it at any pet store, not just the vet. Although my neighbor went last week and the stores were sold out. After putting advance on I would see a few fleas but they wouldn’t move, it must kill them pretty quickly. My dogs, chase, catch and sometimes kill squirrels. I’m pretty sure thats where my fleas come from. But here in Ohio we have snow, so I’m thinking less fleas till spring.
CAT HAD KITS GOT ALOT OF FLEAS.MY6 YR.HAS ALOT OF BITS.SHE WOULD CONSTANT PLAY W THE KITS WHERE I CONFINED THEM.GOT ROD OF CATS BUT STILL HAVE FLEA ANY HOME REMEDYS
CJ…What spray did you use on the carpet, bedding and furniture?? I have seriously vac. my whole house & washed all of my bedding and am still getting eaten alive by these things!! I still need to get the Advantage from the vet but I also need to know the name of the spray please!!!!!!
Thanks!!
My 2 cats have never had fleas before I had a baby 15 weeks ago and now they are crawling have tried sprays, powders etc seems to work for a couple of days then I spot another one I feel so bad for them, so far I’ve spent £150 at the vets and don’t no what else to try!!!! any suggestions would be great!!!!!!:(
OK since my last post I have done some searching. Many liked the topical flea med Advantage. Bought it and it’s working. No fleas on the dogs and none in the house either. I guess you have to keep trying the meds until you find one that works for you. I also bought a spray that saturates carpets, bedding, furniture and so on. Hope this helps somebody else!
I have done it all too! Nothing works,topical flea meds, bathed both dogs while washing bedding, throw rugs, blankets and hubby steam cleaning the carpets. 2 hours later fleas back on dogs. The chemicals we need have been banned so my guess is, we all now have to fight these fleas!!! I have had some luck picking off fleas with Avon’s skin so soft body oil. Mix 5 parts water with 1 part skin so soft. I just made a small batch to see it work. 5 Tablespoons to 1TBLS. They jump from it like crazy, but if you get one it dies. I’m using cotton balls and rubbing the dogs. Even though it’s diluted, I don’t want to drench them in it. The oil also prevents the dogs skin from drying out.
Just after July 4th I noticed a bite on my arm, but we live it the woods & have lots of spiders, so I didn’t sweat it… A few weeks later my boss noticed the ‘bullseye’ : I tested + for Lyme. We did a quick check of the cats, but didn’t see anything (they’re indoor only), so we figured I got it @ the park w/ our son.
A few days ago I noticed that there was black ‘dust’ on my son’s changing table (one of our cats likes to sleep there) — I immediately knew it was flea dirt. Combing the cats confirmed this
What I don’t get it how we’re not getting bit - the cats are always curled up on the sofa & sleep in our bed, but we’re not getting anything.
I don’t have carpet, I have hardwood floors.. And both my cat and dog, have fleas..both have been treated numerous times..what can I do about cleaning my house??
About a month and a half ago I saw a flea on my dog. I got stuff from the vet to put on her. I cleaned through my house,vaccuming and washing everything. Everything seemed to be good. I thought I had gotten rid of all the fleas. Well about a month later I noticed them again. Every time I see one I put my dog in the tub and bath her. I was told dawn dish detergent works. Which it seems to kill them in the bath but holy cow it is a neverending story. I also sprayed raid on the sectional and the only rug is in the master bedroom and so sprayed it to and vaccumed again, washed everything again. I seem to be finding 1-2 at a time and kill them as i see them. Is there anything else I can do? How long will this last? How fast exactly do they multiply???Please help me.
You need to get an exterminator to come in and do the job !! some have unmarked vantrucks so you dont have to worry about your neighbors (especially if you live in an appartment) freaking out and a 7 month guarantee. Chances are they will have to come back a second time because it is almost impossible to kill fleas when they are in “pupal stage” ,(there are 4 stages to a fleas life)
What a great site. Its heartening to know im not the only person these ankle biters love to snack on. Let me tell you about my problems i’ve had over the years. First time was about 10 years ago first job in a furniture warehouse. We took an old sofa from a house with dogs. The next day im covered in bites. The whole factory got infested. everybody there got a couple of bites but they just seemed to love me. I was getting like 30 a day and this was going on 3 weeks. anyway the boss got his friend (who worked for a sewage company) to spray the place with some stuff and they were gone just like that. would love to know what that stuff was. then about 5 years ago moved into a new apartment and again, about 2 weeks laters im covered in bites (though my housemate never got 1 ever). told the landlord and he got an exterminator in to treat the place. didn’t work. ended up moving out. now a year ago buy my first apartment. guess what! the worst thing that could possibly happen. i dont and never have had pets! have tried insecticides, growth hormone the works. every time i treat the place 1-2 weeks later they come back. its just really getting me down, but thanks to everyone on this site for giving me some hope and some new ideas. now am gonna try some of these homemade remedies see if they work
To remove the fleas from pets use baby shampoo. You have to get the lather right down to their skin and in every nook and cranny but it works. You then have to go through the fur thoroughly with a flea comb (or tweezers) and plunge the flea directly into a bowlful of water if they haven’t been exposed to the shampoo enough. A lot of work but effective.
3 Simple steps to follow, STEP 1 - Vacuum, STEP 2 - Spray Insecticide and last but not the least, STEP 3 - Treat your pets. After a few weeks, you have to repeat the same cycle. Remember that while the fleas are in the pupae stage (in their cocoons) they are not affected by insecticides. The cocoons are watertight and protect the developing flea. This is why you may think you have killed all the fleas and larvae in your home but a week or two later you are still seeing adult fleas.
WOW! I have been at battle now for a little over a month. I have 3 dogs and a little over a month ago I saw a flea. Immediately took them to a groomer to get flea dipped and bathed. While they were being pampered my husband went and got the flea medication from the vet and my best friend came over and we cleaned from ceiling to floor throughly. It took the whole day and into the evening. By the time we were done all seemed good. The cat even got a treatment. Now! tonight my daughter saw a flea jump off the cat and on to her. OH MY GOD!!! Will this ever end. I am back to bathing animals and cleaning. I have only carpet downstairs so were are the laying eggs. I am itching all over just thinking about them. Any suggestions out there that seem to work quick as I am running out of patience.
Thanks!
The last time I have posted my comment was on Oct.2nd I would like to let you know that since I have posted I have been vacuuming my ASS off going around the base boards with vacuum mopping using a swiffer and staying up till 12:00am everyday since. I am a working mom with my 2 boys my husband works 2nd shift so I have been very busy I would like to give you some advice please invest in a shopvac dry/wet I actually burnt the motor up in mine. I have had the exterminator come 3 times since Sept.11th I seem to have beat the battle but I will continue to vacuum everyday and never have a pet in my house ever again.
VACUUM,VACUUM,VACUUM,VACUUM
Oh! I did try the salt thing due to me being parinoid about the situation I can’t say I seen a difference but it made me feel I was maintenancing the problem.
Why is it you can never seem to find a dead flea……………..
I have spent hundreds of dollars on over the counter flea remedies for my King Charles Caralier Spaniel. All of these remedies were all “highly recommended” at top pet shops. My dog’s fleas were so bad that he literally scratched all of his fur off almost to his back shoulder area. I was removing 100 fleas daily from him with a flea comb. Finally I took him to the vet. It was explained to me that by mixing OTC remedies one was cancelling the other out. I had dried out his skin so badly by giving him twice weekly flea baths that I was a big part of the itching problem. The vet gave hime Advantage (which is applied once a month and can be purchased anywhere). I have not seen a flea on him in over a week and his fur is actually starting to grow back. He’s still scratching but I think it’s because his skin is so dry. I’m putting baby oil on that. It seems to help.
I’m vacuuming twice a day (empty your bag outside immediately) and spraying Raid flea spray. It’s a long process getting rid of fleas but it seems to be working. I’ve used bombs before with little luck. Vacuuming and Advantage seem to be doing it for me.