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If you're noticing small, red, itchy bites on your legs or ankles, it’s likely you’ve been bitten by fleas. Fleas typically live on pets like dogs and cats, but they can quickly jump onto humans. Removing fleas from your body primarily involves treating the environment to eliminate the fleas before they have a chance to latch onto you. In this article, we have listed ways to manage fleas in your home so you no longer have to worry about being bitten by these pests.
Steps
Wash your bedding in hot water.
Fleas tend to bite at night, so they may be hiding in your bed. Strip your bedding and wash your sheets, blankets, and pillowcases with the hottest water possible. This step will kill any fleas and eggs that may be hiding in your bed and quickly resolve the issue.
- If fleas are on your bed, they are likely to be found in other areas of the house as well.
Vacuum the carpets.
Sometimes, all it takes is a thorough vacuuming of your carpets to get rid of fleas. Use the vacuum to clean all areas of the carpet, including any loose rugs and doormats! After vacuuming, be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag in a tightly sealed plastic bag and throw it away in an outside trash bin.
- The vacuum will suck up fleas but won't kill them. This is why it's crucial to quickly seal the vacuum bag—if not, fleas will simply jump out and re-enter the house.
Vacuum furniture and baseboards.
Fleas often hide in hard-to-reach areas. If vacuuming the carpets hasn't solved the problem, use the hose attachment of your vacuum to clean upholstered furniture and along the baseboards. This step will also help eliminate any eggs that fleas may have laid before you had a chance to treat them.
- Again, remember to seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it quickly outside the house.
Steam clean the carpets.
Heat combined with carpet cleaning solution will eliminate all fleas and eggs. Purchase or rent a steam cleaner from an electronics store and fill it with carpet cleaning solution. Clean the entire carpet, ensuring you don't forget the area under the furniture.
- You can buy a good steam cleaner for around $200 (over 4 million VND) or rent one (rental prices in the U.S. are around $30/day).
- If you have a large home, it might be best to hire professional carpet cleaning services instead of doing it yourself.
Treat fleas on pets.
Fleas in the house often live on pets. If you have dogs or cats, you will need to treat them with flea medication from a veterinary clinic or pet store. These topical treatments are absorbed by the fleas when they bite the host, killing them within a few days.
- Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the flea treatment packaging. Larger pets will require more medication than smaller ones.
- You can also take your pet to the vet for oral flea medication. Consult with the vet to see if this treatment is appropriate for your pet.
Use a flea comb.
If you prefer a natural method for flea removal, you can purchase a flea comb at a pet store. Start combing at your pet’s neck and slowly work your way down the fur. Keep a bowl of soapy water nearby—if you find any fleas on the comb, dip it in the soapy water for about a minute to drown them.
- The flea comb can also remove flea dirt and feces. Be sure to wear gloves and place a towel on the floor to prevent messes when grooming your pet.
Wash your pet’s bedding.
Wash your pet’s mattress and blankets. Put everything in the washing machine and use the hottest water setting. The hot water will kill the fleas and wash away any eggs.
- Try to wash your pet’s bedding at least once a week to prevent fleas from spreading.
- If your pet uses a litter box, make sure to clean it thoroughly with soap and water as well.
Spray insect repellent on your skin.
If you’re frequently dealing with fleas outdoors, apply insect repellent before going outside. Experts recommend using DEET, as it’s effective against most insects. Focus on spraying your feet and ankles, as these are the areas where fleas are most likely to bite.
- If fleas are living outdoors, they typically hide in tall grass or under dense bushes. Make sure to use insect repellent if you plan to pass through these overgrown areas.
Set flea traps.
These non-toxic traps will eliminate adult fleas. Purchase some flea traps and place them in areas where you've noticed the most fleas, such as near your pet's resting place. The traps emit light and warmth to attract fleas, trapping them on the sticky paper inside. Once the paper is full, you can replace it with fresh sheets.
- Flea traps are effective for small flea infestations, but since they can't kill flea eggs, they may not be the best solution for large infestations.
Make a flea trap with dish soap.
Attract fleas and drown them with soapy water. Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap in a shallow dish or bowl. Place the dish on the floor and set up a desk lamp next to it overnight. Drawn to the light and warmth, fleas will jump into the soapy water and drown.
- In the morning, simply pour the soapy water down the sink.
- You can reuse this trap multiple times if fleas are still present in your home.
Spray an essential oil mix around the house.
Repel fleas with the strong scent of essential oils. Mix 1 cup (240 ml) of water with 7 drops each of rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemongrass oils in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle well and use it as a natural flea repellent around the house.
- If you have cats, avoid spraying essential oils near them, as they are particularly sensitive to strong scents.
Use insecticide indoors.
- Treat areas where fleas tend to gather. Fleas are often found in places where pets frequently visit. There are several insecticides available, but you should look for one that contains boric acid, silica, or diatomaceous earth to target both adult fleas and larvae. Spray or sprinkle the insecticide around the house according to the instructions on the label.
- Before using insecticide, be sure to read the safety information on the packaging. Pesticides can be harmful to children and pets, so keep them away from treated areas.
- The insecticide typically dries within 2-4 hours, after which it is safe for people to walk around.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands while handling the insecticide, and consider wearing an N95 mask to avoid inhaling harmful chemicals.
Treat outdoor areas with insecticide.
Use a flea bomb.
- Flea bombs contain aerosol chemicals designed to target fleas. You can buy a flea bomb and activate it inside your home, then leave for 2-4 hours. Upon returning, the chemicals should have settled, hopefully eliminating the fleas.
- Experts recommend using flea bombs in conjunction with other methods. Since the chemicals only disperse into the air, they can't reach fleas hiding beneath furniture or along baseboards.
- Always keep flea bombs away from open flames like ignition lamps and electrical outlets.
- Before using a flea bomb, ensure everyone, including pets, leaves the house. Once you're ready to return, open all windows and doors to air out the house before re-entering.
Contact a professional pest control expert if needed.
If fleas have spread extensively, it will be difficult for you to manage on your own. If you still notice itchy red bites on your hands and legs despite trying multiple home remedies, it might be time to hire a pest control specialist. They can assess the situation in your home and find effective ways to permanently eliminate fleas.
- In the United States, flea extermination services typically cost between $100 and $400, depending on the severity of the infestation and the size of the property.
Warning
- Always read the safety instructions and follow the guidelines for every pesticide and insecticide product you use.
