How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House Forever

Co-authored by Kevin Carrillo and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 28, 2022 References

If you’ve ever owned a furry animal before, you’re probably very familiar with fleas. These annoying pests that hitch a ride on cats and dogs can infest your home in the blink of an eye—and once they’re there, it can be hard to get them out. Fortunately, all hope is not lost! In this article, we’ve detailed some ways you can get rid of the fleas once and for all and (hopefully) prevent them from ever coming back.

This article is based on an interview with our MMPC-certified pest control specialist, Kevin Carrillo. Check out the full interview here.

1

Vacuum your carpet.

Your vacuum can collect adult fleas and their eggs. If you have carpet in your house, use your vacuum all over to get rid of the preliminary fleas. Empty the contents of the vacuum into a sealed bag, then dispose of it in the trash outside. Otherwise, the fleas will crawl back out of the vacuum and into your home again.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- Vacuum your baseboards as well—sometimes, fleas like to hide on them.^{[2]
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- If you have any soft furniture, use the hose attachment to vacuum it and get rid of any fleas.^{[3]
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2

Steam clean your carpet and upholstery.

The water combined with the steam will kill any fleas and their eggs. After you vacuum your carpet, either rent or buy a steam cleaner and fill it up with water. Steam clean your entire carpet, being sure to get underneath and around large pieces of furniture. Steam clean your upholstery as well. You should notice a serious decrease in the number of fleas in your home with this treatment.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- You can usually rent steam cleaners from your local hardware store for around $30 per day.
- Or, you can buy one for about $200.

3

Launder your bedding and curtains.

Fleas will sometimes make a home out of soft blankets and curtains. If you notice that you’ve been getting bitten up at night, put your bedding in the laundry and wash it on the hottest setting it can handle. Dry it in the dryer to get rid of any residual fleas or their eggs before you put your bedding back on. Do the same thing with any curtains, just in case the fleas are hiding inside.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Flea bites look like small, red bites that are often clustered in groups of 3. They are usually itchy and can cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.^{[6]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

4

Wash your pets’ bedding and toys.

Fleas tend to congregate wherever your pet spends a lot of time. If your pet has a bed, blankets, or any soft toys, throw them in the washer on the hottest setting they can handle. Then, put them in the dryer to kill any leftover fleas. Your pets will get fresh, new bedding that’s flea-free.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- When you wash your pets’ bedding, treat your pets for fleas, too. That way, they won’t re-infect their bedding right away.

5

Give your pets a flea bath.

Kill any fleas that might be on your pets. Grab a medicated flea soap from the pet store and give your pets a nice, warm bath. Let the soap sit on their fur for a couple of minutes to ensure it kills the fleas and their eggs. When you rinse your pet, you might even be able to see the dead fleas wash down the drain.^{[8]
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- You can give your pets a flea bath up to once a week, or as often as your vet recommends.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kevin Carrillo
  Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- If your pet is too large to bathe at home, take them to a groomer to have a professional do it. They should be able to give your pet a flea bath if you request it.

6

Use a flea comb on your pets.

A flea comb will pick out any residual fleas left in your pets’ fur. Grab your animal and start at the base of their neck, combing backward in the direction their hair grows. If you catch any fleas on the comb, quickly drown them in a bowl of water or rinse them down the drain to get rid of them.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- Flea combs also sometimes pull out flea dirt (flea poop) and flea eggs. You might want to wear gloves and put an old towel down before starting.

7

Get a flea treatment from your vet.

Your veterinarian can give you the right treatment for your pet. For mild cases, they’ll probably prescribe a topical treatment that you can apply to your pet’s fur. For more severe flea infestations, they might prescribe an oral flea treatment that your pet takes by mouth. You can make an appointment to talk about your flea problems and figure out the right solution for you.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- Since fleas live on animals, treating your pets is the only surefire way to keep them out of your home for good.

8

Use topical flea preventatives once a month.

Even if your pet doesn’t have fleas, you can keep them from coming back. Once a month, purchase a topical flea treatment either from your vet or the pet store (make sure you get the right one for your pet, as they can vary by size and animal type). Apply it to your pet to kill any live fleas and prevent new ones from entering your home.^{[12]
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- If your pet is taking an oral flea treatment, don’t combine it with a topical one.

9

Try a flea bomb.

These canisters fill your home with chemicals to kill fleas. You can purchase a flea bomb from your local pet store, then open it up and set it off inside your home. Keep it away from any open flames, and get all humans and animals out of the house for 2 to 4 hours. When you come back, the chemicals will have infiltrated the air and (hopefully) killed off all the fleas.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- Experts note that flea bombs work best in conjunction with other methods. Since the chemicals go up and out, they probably won’t kill any fleas hiding under your furniture or in hard-to-reach places.

10

Use pesticides in shady outdoor areas.

Fleas can sometimes hitch a ride into your home from outside. If you or your pets are bringing in fleas from outdoors, you can buy a bottle of pesticides and use them in shady areas in your yard, like underneath shrubbery or trees. Use gloves and an N95 mask when using pesticides, and keep pets and children away from the area. Always read the safety instructions on any bottle of pesticides that you use.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Pesticides can be harmful to good insects, and they can be toxic to animals. Always read the label on your bottle of pesticides carefully, and weigh the pros and cons before committing to using them.

11

Mow your lawn about once a week.

Tall grass makes a perfect hiding spot for fleas. If you notice that your animals (or even you!) are coming inside with more fleas, be sure to keep your grass cut short and prune back any shrubbery. The more you can keep your yard maintained, the fewer fleas you’ll have to deal with from outside.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- In general, you’ll want to keep your shrubbery pruned at least 6 in (15 cm) away from your home to avoid pests.
- Keeping your lawn short also discourages animals like rabbits and mice from coming into your yard, which can also help keep fleas out.

12

Try not to let your dog come into contact with strange animals.

Unfortunately, fleas can spread from fur-to-fur contact. If your dog loves going up and sniffing other dogs, they might be getting fleas just by brushing up against them. Instead of taking your dog to the dog park and letting them run loose, try setting up one-on-one doggy playdates with dogs you know don’t have fleas. That way, your dog can still socialize without the threat of fleas looming.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}