Buzz
Fleas can be quite challenging to eliminate, and it may sometimes feel as though they are always coming back with no end in sight. This guide will walk you through several methods to effectively remove fleas from your carpet. Plus, we’ll share a few secrets on how to prevent them from returning.
Steps
Eliminate Fleas Through Cleaning
Thoroughly vacuum your carpet. Use the hose attachment instead of just pushing the vacuum around. Start from the back of the room and vacuum in straight lines, working your way to the front to ensure the entire carpet is cleaned. Pay special attention to corners and along baseboards. Fleas love to hide in dark and damp places, so be sure to vacuum underneath furniture as well.
- Focus on areas where pets like to hang out, around baseboards, near entryways, and under furniture.
- If the flea infestation is severe, continue vacuuming daily for 10-14 days.
Vacuum upholstered furniture in your home. Be sure to vacuum both the legs and underneath the furniture. Fleas often “jump” onto furniture and can return to the carpet if not properly removed.
Dispose of your vacuum bag. Don't throw it away inside the house. Instead, remove the bag from the vacuum, place it in a plastic bag, tie it securely, and take it outside. This prevents any surviving fleas from coming back into your home and nesting in the carpet.
- If your vacuum uses a container instead of a bag, remove the container and empty it into a plastic bag. Tie it tightly and dispose of it outside.
Consider steam cleaning your carpet and furniture. If you don't own a steam cleaner, you can rent one from a home goods store or a hardware store. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Alternatively, you can hire a professional cleaning service to steam clean your home. The high temperature of the steam cleaner will kill both adult fleas and their eggs.
Kevin Carrillo
MMPC, Pest Control Expert
MMPC, Pest Control Expert
Expert Consensus: Steam cleaning is one of the most effective non-professional methods for eliminating fleas from carpets. It's recommended to test the steam on a hidden area of the carpet first to ensure it doesn't discolor.
Clean your pet's sleeping bed. Put the pet's bed in the washing machine and set it to the wash cycle for delicate items. Additionally, you should use the highest heat setting in the dryer. Do this daily until all fleas are gone.
Using chemicals, natural ingredients, and other methods
Treat your carpet with a pet-safe indoor insecticide. Spray an insecticide designed for indoor use on your carpet. Wait for it to dry, then vacuum. Continue vacuuming every few days for 2 weeks. The insecticide will kill adult fleas but won't eliminate the eggs, so regular vacuuming is necessary for control. After a few weeks, apply the insecticide again.
- When using an insecticide, ensure pets do not enter the treated area until it's safe. Insecticides can be harmful, so follow the manufacturer's guidelines on the label. Some insecticides may require you to wait several hours before re-entering the treated area.
Sprinkle some salt or borax on the carpet. Focus on areas where your pets like to hang out, near entryways, along baseboards, and under furniture. Sprinkle salt or borax on the carpet, making sure it adheres to the fibers. If using borax, leave the powder on the carpet overnight and vacuum it up the next day. If using salt, wait 24-48 hours before vacuuming. Keep pets away from the treated area until you have vacuumed up the salt/borax.
- If using borax, make sure to keep children and pets away from the treated area.
- If using salt, ensure it has very fine grains.
Try spraying a vinegar solution. Mix a solution of vinegar and water in a 1:4 ratio in a spray bottle. Close the bottle and shake until well combined. You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Spray the vinegar solution on your carpet, focusing on areas where your pets like to spend time, around baseboards, near entryways, and under furniture.
- Fleas dislike the smell of vinegar, and it also helps kill adult fleas.
Consider using a lemon spray. Slice 1-3 lemons into thin rounds. Pour 2 cups (480 ml) of water into a pot. Add the lemon slices and bring to a boil. Once the water begins to boil, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit overnight. The next day, remove the lemon slices and pour the lemon water into a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your carpet, focusing on areas where your pets like to hang out, around baseboards, near entryways, and under furniture.
- Fleas dislike the scent of lemon, so you'll notice results when you spray the lemon water onto your carpet.
Make a flea trap. If you're unsure where the fleas are hiding in the carpet, you can use a trap to lure them to one spot. Fill a small bowl with water and add a few drops of dish soap, then stir. Place the bowl on the floor near a wall and set up a table lamp beside it. Turn the lamp on at night. Fleas will jump toward the light and land in the water, where the soap will prevent them from jumping out. The next morning, turn off the light and discard the water.
- If you have pets, be sure to keep them out of the room. If you can't close the door, place something over the bowl to prevent pets from reaching it (but leave a gap for the fleas to jump in).
- You can also use a nightlight instead of a desk lamp.
Call a pest control company as a last resort. These companies can help eliminate fleas in your home and guarantee the problem is handled.
Use diatomaceous earth to eliminate fleas
Buy food-grade diatomaceous earth. Be sure to get the food-grade kind, not the one used for swimming pools. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe if accidentally ingested.
Vacuum the carpet. Use the vacuum nozzle to clean the entire carpet, paying special attention to areas where pets like to rest, near entryways, and along the baseboards.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the carpet. Focus on areas where your pets tend to go, around baseboards, near entryways, and under furniture. Diatomaceous earth, made from tiny fossilized algae, helps to eliminate fleas.
Consider sprinkling diatomaceous earth on your pet's bed. If you're aiming to remove fleas from the carpet, don't forget to treat other areas such as your pet's bed. Simply sprinkle a little diatomaceous earth on the bed, leaving it for 2-3 days. Avoid letting your pet sleep on the bed during this time. After 2-3 days, vacuum up the diatomaceous earth. If possible, wash the bed in hot water in the washing machine.
Consider giving your pet a bath. If you've sprinkled diatomaceous earth in areas where your pet likes to stay, some of the dust may stick to their fur. In that case, you'll need to give your pet a bath. Remember, bathing a dog is much easier than bathing a cat.
- Consider using a soap-free or moisturizing pet shampoo to bathe your pet. Diatomaceous earth can dry out the skin, and you can alleviate this by using special moisturizing or soap-free pet shampoo. Also, don't forget to use a flea comb to catch any fleas, larvae, or eggs.
Vacuum the carpet. After 4-5 days, it's time to vacuum the carpet again. Be sure to focus on areas where your pets frequently visit, along the baseboards, near entryways, and underneath furniture.
Dispose of the vacuum bag. Don't throw it away indoors. Instead, remove the bag from the vacuum, place it in a plastic bag, tie it securely, and then dispose of it outside. This helps prevent any remaining fleas from returning to the house and hiding in the carpet.
- If your vacuum uses a container instead of a bag, remove the container and empty the dirt into a plastic bag. Tie the bag tightly and dispose of it outdoors.
Prevent future flea infestations
Check for fleas on your pet. Fleas found on the carpet often fall off pets. To prevent fleas from returning to the carpet, check your pet for fleas. If your pet is scratching constantly, it could be due to flea infestations.
Brush your pet regularly. Purchase a flea comb from a pet store to brush your pet. A flea comb has fine, close-set teeth that can catch tiny fleas on your pet’s fur. The comb also helps remove loose hairs, preventing fur from shedding around the house.
- Prepare a small bowl of water with a few drops of dish soap. You can dip the comb into the soapy water to drown fleas and shake them off the comb while grooming your pet.
Give your pet a bath. Water will drown the fleas, and soap will eliminate their larvae. Consider using flea-specific soap. However, keep in mind that this method may not be as effective for cats. Most cats dislike water and may become aggressive if forced into a bath. If you need to bathe a cat, make sure to wear thick gloves and long pants to protect yourself.
Consider using flea medication for your pet. Take your pet to the vet for a check-up and ask about the best flea treatments. The vet will prescribe or recommend the right medication (for dogs or cats) and the appropriate dosage. If you decide to purchase the medication yourself, be sure to carefully read the label. The label will tell you whether the medication is for dogs or cats, the recommended age and weight range for use, and other important details. Improper use can lead to serious consequences for your pet.
- Flea medication may be oral or topical, depending on the product. Topical treatments are usually applied to the back of the neck, between the shoulder blades. Read the instructions on the label for proper application.
- Check your pet for any signs of discomfort or allergic reactions. Sometimes dogs or cats may be allergic to flea treatments.
- Never use flea medication designed for dogs on cats, and vice versa. Always follow the recommended dosage and never exceed it.
Consider purchasing a flea collar. Treating your pet for fleas can help eliminate fleas on the carpet as well. Flea collars contain chemicals that help kill fleas. This product is especially useful if your pet enjoys being outdoors. Fit the collar around your pet's neck and adjust it so you can still slide a finger underneath it. Cut off any excess collar with scissors.
Avoid using garlic or brewer’s yeast. Adding small amounts of garlic or brewer’s yeast to your dog’s food is a common method for flea control (and to prevent them from returning to the carpet), but research shows this method is generally ineffective.
- Never feed garlic to cats. Garlic is toxic to cats and should only be used for dogs.
Control fleas using essential oils. You can create your own flea spray for the carpet by adding a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients, then spray the solution on the carpet. This solution is safe for use around children and dogs but not safe for cats.
- Here are some flea-repelling essential oils that are safe to use in homes with dogs: Bergamot orange oil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, peppermint, sage, geranium, citronella, licorice, and sweet orange oil.
- Do not spray essential oils in areas where cats are present. Cats are especially sensitive to essential oils.
Use plants to prevent fleas. There are certain plants with scents that help repel fleas. These plants won’t kill fleas but can prevent them from entering the home. You can purchase flea-repellent plants to place inside your house. Here are some plants that can help prevent fleas:
- Catnip is effective at preventing fleas and is a tasty treat for cats.
- Chamomile not only looks beautiful and smells wonderful, but you can also use the flowers to brew tea.
- Lavender can help repel fleas and also creates a pleasant fragrance in the home. Its purple-gray flowers are aesthetically pleasing.
- Lemongrass can help repel fleas and can also be used in cooking.
- Peppermint is a fantastic plant for repelling fleas and can also be used in cooking. You can add peppermint to food or use it to flavor beverages.
- Rosemary is a versatile herb that can both prevent fleas and be used as a seasoning in cooking.
- Sage is another herb that can be used in cooking and to repel fleas.
Advice
- If you live in a small one-room apartment and plan to use diatomaceous earth, salt, borax, or insecticides, it is recommended to treat one half of the apartment on the first day and the other half the next day. This approach allows both you and your pets to move around comfortably.
Warning
- Do not allow small pets to lie on the carpet for several days after applying or spraying flea treatment products onto the carpet.
