If you have fleas in your bed, you probably have them elsewhere in your home, too.
The vacuum will suck up the fleas, but it won’t kill them. That’s why it’s important to seal and trash the vacuum waste quickly—otherwise, the fleas will simply hop out and infest your home again.
Again, be sure to empty your vacuum contents into a sealed bag and throw it away outside quickly. That way, the fleas will be out of your home.
You can find decent carpet cleaners for around $200 if you want to buy one. Or, you can rent one for around $30 per day. If you have a large house, you may want to look into hiring a professional carpet cleaner instead of doing it yourself.
Be sure to read the dosage recommendation on the back of the flea medication. Larger animals need more, while smaller animals need less. You can also take your pet to the vet and put them on oral flea medication. Talk to your veterinarian to see if that’s the right move for you.
Flea combs also pull out flea eggs and flea dirt (flea poop). You may want to wear gloves and lay an old towel down before you start.
Try to wash your pets’ bedding at least once a week to prevent a flea infestation. If your pet has a litter box, clean that out with soap and water, too.
If the fleas are living outdoors, they’ll probably be in tall grass or under large bushes. You should definitely use bug spray if you plan on walking through any overgrown wooded areas.
Flea traps work for smaller infestations, but since they don’t kill flea eggs, they aren’t a great method for larger infestations.
In the morning, simply dump the water mixture down the sink. You can use this trap multiple times if you’re still finding fleas in your home.
If you have cats, don’t spray essential oils around them, as they are sensitive to the strong smells.
Before you use pesticides, always read the safety information on the package. Pesticides are toxic to children and animals, so keep them away from the area if you choose to use them. [12] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source Pesticides normally take 2 to 4 hours to dry. After that, they’re generally safe to be around again. Wear gloves to protect your hands while using pesticides, and wear an N95 mask to avoid inhaling any harsh chemicals.
You might have to apply insecticides a few times until they kill all of the fleas. Always wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin while using insecticides. Read the safety information on any insecticide you choose to use, and keep kids and pets away from the area. [14] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
Experts note that flea bombs work best in conjunction with other methods. Since the chemicals only go up and out, they probably won’t kill fleas that are hiding under furniture or behind baseboards. Always keep flea bombs away from ignition sources, like pilot lights and power outlets. Before flea bombing, get everyone out of the house, including pets. When it’s time to go back in the house, open up all the doors and windows to let your home air out before entering. [16] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
Exterminators usually charge between $100 and $400 depending on the infestation and house size.
