Here’s How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home

Wash Bedding & Clothes

Wash all pet and human bedding and clothing that can harbour fleas, eggs, and larvae in hot soapy water. Afterwards, run everything through the dryer on the hottest setting.

Vacuum Fleas

Regular vacuuming interrupts the flea life cycle by removing egg laying females and larvae. Furniture and carpets should be vacuumed thoroughly and vacuum cleaner bags disposed of immediately outside the house.

Steam Clean

A good steam cleaner can help kill any fleas and larvae the vacuum left behind. If you own a pet, a steam cleaner is a good investment.

Flea Traps

Flea traps use heat and light to lure fleas onto a glue board and are great for early detection.

Insect Control Sprays

Chemical insect sprays are also an effective way to eliminate fleas and other unwelcome insects. Many sprays are pet-friendly and safe to use around children, while some of the more powerful solutions may require everyone to leave the home for a few hours. Read the label carefully before using flea spray.

How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Yard

Fleas prefer shaded, warm, humid areas of your yard. Removing debris and exposing your yard to sunshine can help. Because fleas like long grass and moist environments, mow your lawn regularly and avoid overwatering. Consider a lawn fertilizer with added insect control, and mulch with natural flea-repelling cedar chips in areas your pets frequent.

Sanitize Bedding: Wash all bedding with hot water and pet-friendly soap every few days to help interrupt the flea life cycle.

Flea Shampoo: Medicated flea shampoo kills the fleas on your dog. However, fleas in the home, will quickly re-infest your pet. Shampoo should be used in conjunction with other flea management treatments.

Oral Treatments: Available by prescription and over the counter, flea treatment tablets are taken orally. Some kill fleas within minutes while others prevent eggs from hatching over time.

Topical Treatments: Skin treatments are usually applied to a dog’s back and spread quickly between fleas, killing adults and preventing eggs from hatching. These medications are quite effective if used exactly as directed.

Flea Collars: A flea collar releases chemicals slowly over time to kill and repel fleas before they start biting. Check with your vet before using, and inspect your pet’s skin for potential allergic reactions.

Flea Spray: A pet-safe flea spray is applied directly to your dog’s coat to kill fleas on contact and over the next several days. Like any medication, it’s important to use as directed and consult a vet.

Flea Comb: A flea comb is specially designed to catch fleas. Pet-safe and a great preventative tool, combing your dog regularly is a good first defence against fleas.

See Your Vet: Depending on your cat’s personality and tolerance level, it may be easier to let your vet handle the treatments rather than wrestling your favourite feline into a flea collar or bath.

Treat Other Pets: Along with managing fleas in the home and yard, all pets in the home must be treated at the same time to avoid re-infestation.

Spot-on Treatments: Topical spot-on treatments kill fleas on contact, prevent future infestations and are easier to apply to a cat than shampoo or sprays.

Prevention: Preventative treatments are a good idea, especially for outdoor cats. Some good commercial treatments are available, while others must be prescribed by your vet.

Herbal Flea Spray

You can make your own flea spray with products you have on hand. Here’s what you need:

• 2 litres of white vinegar

• 1 litre of lemon juice

• 175 ml of witch hazel

• Large measuring container

• Large spray bottle

• Funnel

Combine everything in a pail or large bowl and funnel the mixture into a spray bottle. Apply liberally to carpets, furniture, bedding and areas where your pet spends time.

Dish Soap

To make your own flea traps, fill a large shallow dish with water and add 30-50 ml of dish soap to break the water’s surface tension and allow the fleas to sink. Fleas are nocturnal, so leave the trap in an affected area overnight. To attract fleas to your trap, put the dish under a directional lamp with a heat producing lightbulb. Limit the traps to rooms where you can close the door to keep pets and kids out, especially if you’re using a lamp.

Salt

Salt is a natural flea killer due to its dehydrating and abrasive qualities. Simply sprinkle table salt evenly over carpeted areas and furniture and leave for up to 48 hours. Avoid touching the salted areas and keep pets and kids away. Then thoroughly vacuum up the fleas and salt, emptying the contents into an outdoor garbage can.

Baking Soda

Like salt, baking soda can dehydrate adult fleas, but it’s not very effective on its own. Adding equal amounts of active baking soda to salt shortens the wait time. Sprinkle baking soda and table salt on your carpets and furniture and leave overnight before vacuuming.

Diatomaceous Earth

Food grade diatomaceous earth is abrasive and dehydrates and kills adult fleas. While non-toxic and effective, it’s messy and not the best choice for large areas. To apply, wear a respirator face mask and dust over the affected area. Allow it to sit for two days before vacuuming.

Flea-Repelling Plants

Plants like lavender, pennyroyal, chrysanthemum and various mints smell nice to humans but possess compounds and chemicals that repel fleas. Keep some of these plants in pots, so you can move them around the yard or indoors to potential problem areas