How to Get Rid of Fleas in The House Fast
Do you also face the problem of fleas in your home? Are you looking for solutions to get rid of the issues? Pests such as fleas and ticks are a common concern of most households.
Although not harmful to humans, these organisms can still lead to discomfort and irritation, especially after biting. Moreover, these pests feed on animal blood and can reside in their fur. Thereby leading to other associated issues.
Therefore, this article brings you the eight best solutions to get rid of fleas in your house rapidly.
How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House Fast?
- To locate the infestation, look for dark spots on your carpet or dried bits of pepper (called flea dirt). The dirt is the droppings of adult fleas and the larvae feed on it.
- Check the areas in the house that do not get direct sunlight. If you are having trouble spotting fleas, check the areas that have pet hair, such as pillows.
- The next step is to vacuum the entire house and remove any stray items.
- Make sure to empty the bag and dispose of it properly. Wash all machine-washable items in hot water, making sure to use a detergent that kills fleas. This method works well for mild infestations.
- If the infestation is serious, you can leave the powder on furniture and carpets overnight.
- The baking soda and salt can help kill fleas in their eggs and larvae. If these steps do not work, you can use a mixture of salt and baking soda to spray your furniture. Repeat the treatment as often as necessary, as this will ensure that the fleas are no longer breeding in your home.
- Once you have completed these steps, you can start applying insecticides.
- You can buy sprays that are specially designed to kill fleas. The product must contain an insect growth regulator, which stops the fleas from reproducing.
To Summarise:
- Identify if you have fleas - there are certain signs to look for
- Treat your pet with a flea collar or shampoo
- Kill the fleas in your house by using a bug bomb or fogger
- Vacuum all of the carpets and furniture, then throw away the vacuum bag
- Wash all of your bedding and clothes in hot water
- Keep an eye on the situation and repeat as necessary
Related: 9 Steps to Rid Your Lawn of Fleas & Ticks
How To Get Rid of Fleas in Carpet?
- Vacuum your carpets regularly to remove fleas and their eggs
- Use a carpet steam cleaner to kill fleas and larvae
- Add a few drops of lavender oil to your vacuum cleaner bag or water tank to repel fleas
- Sprinkle borax powder on your carpets and let it sit for an hour before vacuuming
- Buy a flea collar for your pet dog or cat
- Put drops of lemon juice or white vinegar on your carpets and scrub with a brush
How Long Will Fleas Live In A House Without Pets?
If you do not own pets, you may be wondering: how long will fleas survive in your house without animals? This is an important question because fleas only live for a short time, and their eggs can last up to a year.
This means that you need to treat your house as well as your pet immediately. You should also be sure to wash your shoes before entering the house, since fleas love the smell of dirty shoes. Moreover, you need to clean your furniture, as flea larvae and eggs will stay longer on the furniture.
Fleas can live in your house for several weeks without food, as they have the ability to jump onto human skin.
They will feed on your blood, which means you should treat them quickly. You should also wash your bedding and furniture covers regularly to prevent the spread of fleas. If you do not have pets, you should vacuum your home daily, as fleas prefer to live in fur and hairy animals.
You should hire a professional steam cleaner to kill the fleas, and you should consider hiring a pest control service to remove them. However, you should remember that if you do not have pets, you will not be able to get rid of them until they have been eliminated by professionals.
Fleas are more likely to live in your home without pets if they find a warm place to live. This is because they prefer warm climates. In the winter, fleas will live in cold temperatures and dry conditions.
This is why it is important to check the temperature of your house to prevent any problems with fleas. Besides, fleas do not like a lot of human contact, so you should avoid the use of any kind of leather or fabric furniture.
How Long Can Fleas Live in Carpet?
If you have a pet, you've probably heard of the dreadful thing fleas can do to your carpet. They can survive for three months or longer, depending on how many eggs they lay per day. This is a terrible problem, but you don't have to worry about it. It is not hard to see a flea, as they feed on the hair, neck, and hindquarters of your pets. And, don't worry - you can easily spot them on your pets.
How Long Can Fleas Live in An Empty House?
Many people ask, "How long can fleas live in an empty house?" The answer depends on several factors, such as the temperature, humidity, and the availability of fresh blood. The life cycle of fleas varies widely depending on the conditions of the house. It may take as little as three weeks to reach adulthood without an animal, or as long as a year.
8 Solutions To Help You Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home
1) Flea Collars
The flea collars are the first and most effective component in avoiding fleas near your pets. The average life of a flea is around twenty days; however, this proportion of time can be extremely difficult for animals, and therefore, manufacturers have designed these collars for them. These are plastic collars that can be placed around the animal's neck.
One best feature of these tools is the integration of pesticides and other associated chemicals, which are released after regular intervals. The pesticides are fatal to fleas and kill them easily. Furthermore, there is a diverse range of such materials available in the market.
The three major types of these plastic collars are gas-based collars, high-frequency collars, and absorption-based collars. All three types differ on the basis of working mechanisms and have varying attributes. But, all these substances are very effective in removing fleas around your pets. Hence, providing an ultimate solution to all your worries.
2) Dish Soap
Dish soap is the second method of eliminating fleas from the surroundings. Dish soap can be used to create a flea trap along with water. This mixture can be formed by mixing warm water and dish soap in a bowl. Afterward, it is advised to place the bowl in the room where these pests reside.
Due to the solution's high viscosity, the pests get trapped inside it and are unable to leave. Thus, dying overtime due to lack of oxygen. However, it is recommended to use this remedy at nighttime for efficient results. The reason for this is the nocturnal nature of these organisms. Therefore, it is easier to catch them at night than during the day. Hence, this method is beneficial for a diverse range of people.
3) Herbal Flea Spray
Another outstanding and budget-friendly method is the use of herbal flea sprays. These sprays can be created at home and are non-toxic. Therefore, it can be continuously utilized without fretting over damaging your health or any associated chemical release in the environment. This natural remedy can be produced by using vinegar, water, lemon juice, and witch hazel.
Most of these substances can be easily found at home and thus, can be used to generate a remarkable spray for preventing fleas. In order to do so, take 4 liters of vinegar, 500ml of lemon juice, 2 liters of water alongside 250 ml of witch hazel. Mix these in a large bottle.
After thoroughly mixing all the ingredients together, spray the solution around your home, including furniture, floors, carpets, and other spaces. But, be careful of removing bedsheets and pillow covers before spraying. It is also recommended to vacuum the whole housing before applying the spray for efficient results.
4) Salt
The use of salt can also lead to the removal of fleas from your house. Salt is a dehydrating agent and, when used in combination with vacuum cleaners, can become fatal to these pests. For this purpose, take finely ground salt and sprinkle it around the house for around two days. Afterward, thoroughly vacuum the surroundings. This will lead to the removal of fleas from your home and will not require much effort on your part. This technique is also inexpensive and is highly popular among the masses.
5) Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth might sound like a fancy term, but it is a rather simpler substance, which can be used to control the level of pests around in the surroundings. The term refers to the remains of dead diatoms, a type of algae, which is non-toxic in nature.
This finely ground powder is associated with dehydration and thus, can be used to resolve the specified issue. It is advised to sprinkle the powder around the house, especially the areas with high flea activity. After two days, vacuum around the infected areas, as mentioned above in the case of salt.
6) Flea repelling Plants
Flea repelling plants are yet another outstanding solution to get rid of fleas. In addition to this, the method is cost-efficient and does not over-strain your budget. Therefore, it is highly recommended for those facing the problem despite trying other techniques. There are some plants present in the environment that naturally possess the ability to secrete certain substances like oils and chemicals that fleas avoid.
Thus, such plants can be grown around the house to prevent fleas from residing. These plants include Lavender, Pennyroyal, Spearmint, and Chrysanthemums. Hence, if you are searching for a long-term solution to the problem of fleas around your home, it is ideal for you to plant these species in the surroundings for efficient results.
7) Lemon Spray
It is a well-known fact that lemon spray can be used against wasp stings. However, limited content is available regarding the use of the lemon spray for reducing fleas and associated pests. This citrus spray is rich in vitamin C and is extremely effective in this regard. The solution can be produced by using lemon and water.
Add a slice of lemon to water and boil the solution. Then, let the mixture settle for sometime around 7 to 8 hours. Then, use a spray bottle to apply the lemon spray around the home with more focus on infected areas. It is advised only to dampen the areas instead of completely soaking them for an efficient outcome.
8) Rosemary
Last but not least, rosemary is another natural remedy that can be utilized against fleas. Similarly, another advantage of the material is the ability to treat various infections among pets. Thereby making it a 2-in-1 tool. The rosemary powder can be used in the process for a better outcome.
For this purpose, use rosemary herb, along with wormwood, peppermint, rue, fennel, and mortar. Grid these ingredients into a fine powder and sprinkle it on furniture, floors, carpets, and other sensitive areas of your home. Rosemary herb has the ability to repel flea instead of killing them. Therefore, you will observe fewer pests in the surroundings over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get rid of fleas in the house?
Generally, it takes around 3 to 4 months to get rid of flea infestation. However, the process can be hurried by using some natural remedies like growing flea repelling plants or using salt, baking powder, and lemon spray. These materials are cost-efficient and are associated with incredible output.
What repels fleas on humans?
According to various studies carried out to analyze the behavior of these organisms around humans, fleas can be prevented by applying myrtle oil and thyme oil on a regular basis. These essential oils can be used along with carrier oils to avoid pests bites.
What do fleas hate the most?
These organisms mostly hate strong odors releasing substances like cloves, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, citrus, and other related plants. Although the odor does not kill them but is strong enough to prevent them from residing in the surroundings. Hence, offering a long-term solution to the specified problem.
Can fleas live in human hair?
No, fleas can not live inside the human hair. The reason for this is the lack of thickness among human hair, unlike the animal hair that is thicker and protects the fleas from harsh environmental conditions. Therefore, fleas can reproduce fairly well inside the pet hair.
How long will fleas live in a house without pets?
Fleas are mostly dependent on animals for reproduction and food sources. Thus, without a host, they can only survive for around two weeks before death. Thus, houses without pets are safer than those that have pets living in them.
Does vacuuming get rid of fleas?
Yes, vacuuming, when accompanied by dehydrating substances, can lead to the removal of fleas. The dehydrating agents include salt, rosemary herb, and diatomaceous earth. These materials can be sprinkled in the surroundings, and then vacuuming can be carried out to achieve the desired results.
Summing Up
Fleas are a common concern for a wide variety of people and are associated with discomfort and irritation among pets. There is a diverse range of solutions available to prevent fleas in your surroundings, including lemon spray, salt, and dish soap. However, the flea collars are the best among all and are available at an extremely reasonable price. These plastic collars release certain chemicals that are fatal to this organism and eliminate them completely. Therefore, they are highly recommended.
Read more: How To Get Rid of Fleas Naturally With Vinegar?