How to Get Rid of Fleas and Ticks in Your Home

Co-authored by Scott McCombe

Last Updated: August 5, 2021 References

Fleas and ticks tend to become active when the weather warms up in the spring, and it can be difficult to keep them out of your home. The best way to rid your house of fleas and ticks is to use a multi-pronged approach: do a deep cleaning, treat your pets with flea and tick repellant, and treat your home with a chemical application. For best results, dedicate a day to doing everything at once.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Cleaning Your Home

1
Vacuum your home. Use a powerful vacuum to clean your carpets, rugs, and furniture. Move your furniture out of the way to clean the areas under and behind it. Vacuuming removes fleas, ticks, flea eggs, and tick eggs, so it’s important not to skip this step.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.}^{[2]
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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
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- Vacuum the pillows and cushions on your sofa since these are generally made of foam or other materials that do not handle machine or hand-washing well. If possible, use the vacuum extension to clean the underside of your sofa and other soft furniture.
- Concentrate on the areas your pets frequent, such as rooms where they play and sleep.^{[3]
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  Research source}
- Don't forget to vacuum out your closets, too, especially if they're carpeted.
- If you think your car may also be infested, give it a thorough vacuuming, too, so that you don't end up carrying fleas and ticks back into the house.
- Empty the vacuum or throw the bag away outside to prevent the fleas or ticks from coming back.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Scott McCombe
  Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.}
2
Wash your linens and clothes. Use the hot water cycle to wash your couch cushion covers, blankets, bed linens, and clothes.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source} Use the highest dryer setting to dry them thoroughly and make sure all insects and their eggs are removed.
- If you have an item that could be damaged by washing it in hot water, like a wool coat, put it in a plastic bag and seal it. Plan to take it to the dry cleaner to make sure no fleas and ticks are hiding there.
- Wash camping tents, tarps, and other fabrics that could make a home for fleas and ticks.
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3
Sanitize corners and crevices. Use a spray cleaner and a rag to clean window sills, baseboards, and other areas where fleas and ticks might thrive. Focus on the rooms where your pets spend most of their time.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Treating Your Home with a Chemical Application

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Spray your home with a pesticide.^{[6]
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Research source} Natural treatments are not strong enough to kill fleas and ticks, so to end the infestation in your home you will have to apply a pesticide. Follow the pesticide manufacturer's instructions to treat your home, focusing on your carpets, soft furniture, and areas your pet frequents.
- Use a pesticide with chemicals that kill adult fleas and ticks as well as their eggs.
- Be sure to read the safety instructions before you treat your house. Your children and pets should not be inside your house when it is sprayed.
- If you have a serious infestation, you might want to hire a fumigator to treat your house for you. In this case, your entire family won't be able to go into the house for a couple of days, since the strong chemicals used are toxic.
2
Vacuum every day. As the pesticide takes action in your home, it will kill adult fleas and ticks, and continue killing them as more hatch. It may take several weeks before the fleas and ticks are completely gone.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Treating Your Pets With a Flea and Tick Repellant

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Apply a flea and tick spray or dip. Your veterinarian should be able to supply you with a safe, effective treatment for your pet.^{[7]
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Research source} Remember to apply the treatment the same day you clean your home and treat it with a chemical solution, so your pets don't carry fleas back into the house.
2
Quarantine your pets. Keep them in an area with smooth surfaces that are easy to clean, such as a tiled bathroom or kitchen, while you clean your house from top to bottom. If they have a comfortable space to play outside, that's even better.
- If you're concerned about your pets spending time around flea and tick repellent chemicals or outside, consider boarding them with the vet while you clean and treat your house for fleas and ticks.
- Make sure the fleas and ticks are completely gone, both from your pets and from your house, before you bring them back inside.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Preventing Fleas and Ticks from Coming Back

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Have your pets wear flea collars. Pets are usually the reason that fleas and ticks enter homes, so the best way to keep them out is to keep them off of your pets. Ask your veterinarian for the safest flea and tick collar to use with your pets.^{[8]
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Research source} Washing your dog with flea shampoo is another good preventative measure you can take.
2
Vacuum often. In the event that another flea or tick does enter your home, vacuuming the house will ensure that it doesn't stay long enough to reproduce. Vacuum areas where your pets spend time every day and vacuum the entire house once or twice a week.
3
Keep your pets' bedding and linens clean. Cloth dog and cat beds should be washed frequently in hot water. If you use a towel to dry off your dog after baths, wash it in hot water right away instead of tossing it into the laundry basket.^{[9]
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Community Q&A

Question

What if my dog has both fleas and ticks?

Community Answer

I recommend that you take the dog to a vet if it has both fleas and ticks. A vet will know what type of medication and care is best.