Fleas are tiny, disgusting but resilient pests that can quickly infest your home, making life uncomfortable for both you and your pets. Their rapid reproduction rate and ability to hide in carpets, furniture, and bedding make them a formidable foe. If you find yourself dealing with a flea infestation, don’t panic! With the right approach, you can effectively deep clean your house from fleas. In this blog, we’ll guide you through a step-by-step process to tackle fleas and prevent future infestations based on tips from our partner house cleaning experts in Middletown. Read on to learn how to make your home free from fleas ASAP!
Bring Your Pet to the Vet ASAP!
First of all, please take your fur baby to your veterinarian immediately. Fleas can cause unbearable pain and discomfort to them, so they must be given an appropriate treatment, which may include oral or topical medications, and cleared for complications. It’s also highly recommended that you bring your pet to a professional groomer who may suggest shaving and using a specialized flea comb that will effectively remove adult fleas and eggs from their fur.
Remember, any deep cleaning will be futile if you don’t do anything to address your pet’s condition. If possible, have another member of the family bring your pet to the vet while you’re cleaning your home or vice-versa. This way, they don’t come back to a flea-ridden space and your newly deep-cleaned house won’t have a new infestation.
Vacuum Like Your Life Depends On It!
Inspect every nook and cranny of your home and pinpoint the areas where they are most prevalent. Common hotspots include:
- Pet bedding
- Carpets
- Upholstered furniture
- Other areas where your pets frequently rest
Then vacuum all infested areas like it’s nobody’s business. Pay special attention to cracks, crevices, and corners where fleas tend to hide. Use a heavy-duty vacuum with strong suction power and a HEPA filter to trap adult fleas, eggs, and larvae effectively. After each vacuuming session, seal the contents in a plastic bag and dispose of it in an outdoor trash bin to prevent fleas from reinfesting your home.
Wash Everything in Hot Water
Throw everything fabric-based in the washing machine. Gather all bedding, cushions, linens, and curtains. Wash them in high temperatures (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) to kill nasty fleas at all life stages. Don’t forget to wash your own bedding, especially if your fur baby loves cuddling with you there, too. Take note that pesky fleas can stick to clothes and shoes, and can bite too. Keep on After washing potentially flea-infested stuff, it’s important to also deep clean your washing machine by throwing in an OxyClean and setting the water at the highest temperature available to be triple sure that all fleas and eggs are dead and not spreading anywhere else.
Steam Clean Carpets and Upholstery
Steam cleaning’s high temperatures and moisture will not only kill fleas but also remove dirt and debris from deep within carpets and upholstery that may have been missed by your vacuum cleaner.
Disinfect all hard surfaces
This includes countertops, tables, floors, and any other surfaces that fleas may have come into contact with. You can use a diluted bleach solution or a commercial disinfectant.
Use Flea Treatments for Your Home
Beyond learning how to deep clean house with fleas, it’s also essential to familiarize yourself with these flea treatments.
- Use diatomaceous Earth (DE), which is a natural, non-toxic powder that dehydrates and kills fleas upon contact. Lightly sprinkle on carpets, floors, and pet bedding, and then leave it for a few hours before vacuuming it up.
- Opt for aerosol sprays – Healthline recommends them over foggers because you can use them to target and directly spray under beds or couches.
- Kill flea in all its life stages – When buying an insecticide, read the label to make sure it has both an adulticide that kills adult fleas (permethrin) and an insect growth regulator to eliminate the eggs, larvae, and pupae (methoprene or pyriproxyfen).
- Protect yourself and your pet – Only use chemical treatments when your pet and other family members are nowhere near as they can be highly toxic. Wear gloves and a mask when you spray and go out of the house immediately.
Other Tips to Make Your Home Flea-Free Forever
- If you have a yard, keeping the grass short can help reduce the flea population outdoors, making it less likely for fleas to enter your home.
- Seal gaps from doors, windows, and other points of entry to keep outdoor fleas from getting into your home again.
- Continue to vacuum and steam clean once a week for at least a month.
- Once your house is flea-free, take preventive measures to avoid future infestations. Regularly bathe and groom your pets.
- Consider using flea prevention products year-round.
- Declutter your home to minimize potential hiding spots for fleas.
In conclusion, deep cleaning your house from fleas requires a multi-faceted approach. By combining thorough cleaning, proper pet treatment, and targeted flea products, you can successfully rid your home of these abominable, blood-sucking creatures.
Remember, consistency is key, and staying vigilant will help you maintain a flea-free environment for your family and pets. In addition, it’s important to be patient and persistent. Fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day, so it may take several weeks to eradicate them completely. Nevertheless, if you’ve done everything in this guide but still have a severe flea infestation, you may need to hire a professional pest control company.