How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House Fast

Written by Luke Lewis | Edited by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 8, 2022 References

Fleas are some of the smallest pests, but they’re a huge nuisance once they get into your home. Even though fleas don’t live on people, they could still be hiding on your pets, in your carpets, or even in your furniture. Even though there are quick ways to kill fleas, it may take a couple of months to completely control them on your own. We'll cover a ton of effective options to get rid of fleas in your home, on your pets, and in your yard so you have total coverage!

1

Vacuum your home.

Vacuuming daily traps and eliminates fleas at all stages of life. A vacuum with a spinning brush works best to remove fleas.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Luke Lewis
Pest Management Expert
Expert Interview. 21 June April 2022.} Run your vacuum through your entire home, but give a little extra focus on any areas where you can see “flea dust,” which are small black specks of flea waste. Try to get into all the nooks and crevices in your home using a narrow hose or brush attachment.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.} Then, use a brush attachment on any upholstered furniture.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you have a pet, vacuum anywhere it has access. For example, if a cat likes to climb and hide on a bookshelf, vacuum the shelves.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Luke Lewis
  Pest Management Expert
  Expert Interview. 21 June April 2022.}
- Try to vacuum at least once daily while you actively have fleas so you can control them the best.
- As soon as you finish vacuuming, remove the bag and throw it away outside to prevent any fleas from escaping.

2

Steam-clean carpets and furniture.

Steam penetrates fabric and upholstery and destroys eggs. Fleas can lay up to 40–50 eggs every day, which can turn into a real problem if you don’t kill them. You can rent a steamer from a hardware store or you can call a professional steaming service. Run the steamer over areas where any pets have access or where you notice flea dust. The heat from your steamer gets rid of any flea eggs and larvae deep in the fibers that vacuums might not reach. Try to steam any carpets or upholstery at least once a week.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- Test your steamer on a small section of carpeting or upholstery to ensure it doesn’t cause any discoloration.

3

Wash bedding in hot water.

The heat and soap get rid of any fleas living in the fabric. Take off any blankets, bedding, or upholstery covers and put them in your washer. Run them on the hottest heat setting with your regular detergent.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Luke Lewis
Pest Management Expert
Expert Interview. 21 June April 2022.}^{[7]
X
Research source} Then, use the hottest dryer setting the fabrics can tolerate to ensure none of the fleas survive. Aim to wash bedding at least once a week.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you have a pet, wash their bedding and any stuffed toys they play with as well.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kevin Carrillo
  Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}

4

Spot-treat your home with insecticide spray.

Spray an insect growth regulator to control flea larvae. Look for insect growth regulator (IGR) insecticides that contain methoprene or pyriproxyfen since they’re the most effective.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Luke Lewis
Pest Management Expert
Expert Interview. 21 June April 2022.}^{[11]
X
Research source} Rather than treating your entire carpet, you can easily just spot-treat the affected areas. Common problem spots to focus on in your home include corners, baseboard seams, as well as behind and underneath furniture.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.} Hold the IGR spray about 18 inches (46 cm) from the ground and apply it evenly back and forth.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- IGRs affect young fleas so they don’t fully mature, which causes them to die off quickly. They usually last around 2–6 months.
- IGRs are safe to use around pets and children.

5

Set up some flea traps.

Leave traps in flea hot spots to attract and exterminate them. Fill a shallow dish with some soapy water and set it underneath a lamp with an incandescent bulb. The fleas will get attracted to the heat and light, so they’ll jump in the soapy water and drown.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source
EDIS
Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles
Go to source}
- Instead of a lamp, you can instead float a smaller dish in the water and set a lit tea light candle on it to attract fleas.
- You can also try commercial flea traps that have built-in lights or glue pads that trap fleas.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}

6

Apply essential oils to problem areas.

Spray cinnamon or clove oil for a natural solution that’s toxic to fleas. You can buy essential oils from your local pharmacy or online. Cinnamon and clove basil are the most effective at getting rid of fleas, but lemon, lavender, and cedar may also work. Just apply a few drops of essential oil without diluting it near problem areas and the fleas will die when they come into contact with it.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Avoid using essential oils on or around your pets since they could be toxic and cause severe reactions. The essential oils are safe to use around children.
- Test the essential oils on an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage to the surface.
- Essential oils may also work to repel fleas as well.

7

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in corners.

Fleas dry out and die when they’re exposed to diatomaceous earth. You can buy diatomaceous earth (DE) from your local garden store. Take a pinch of DE and apply it in the corners of your room and along the baseboards. You can also sprinkle it around furniture or areas where your pet sleeps.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- Diatomaceous earth works by cutting the flea’s exoskeleton and causing them to dehydrate.

8

Comb your pet with a flea comb.

Fine-toothed combs help pull up to 60% of fleas off of your pet. Buy a comb specifically made to get rid of fleas from a pet store.^{[18]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.} Push the comb’s teeth into your pet’s fur and against its skin. Slowly run the comb through your pet’s fur and check the teeth.^{[19]
X
Expert Source

Luke Lewis
Pest Management Expert
Expert Interview. 21 June April 2022.}^{[20]
X
Research source} If you see any black fleas on the comb, dip the teeth in a bowl of soapy water to remove them.^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- The most common problem areas on pets include the back of the neck and the area around the base of the tail.^{[22]
  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}

9

Bathe your pets with warm, soapy water.

Hot water and soap drown fleas deep in your pet’s fur. You can use any standard pet shampoo, but you can also buy specially-formulated flea shampoo with mild insecticides.^{[23]
X
Expert Source

Luke Lewis
Pest Management Expert
Expert Interview. 21 June April 2022.} Get your pet in the tub and rinse them with some warm water before working the shampoo deep into their fur. Try to work it all the way down to the skin to get rid of the most fleas.^{[24]
X
Research source}
- Washing your pets also removes skin flakes and dried blood that young fleas feed on, so it’s a good preventative measure.
- Try to wash your pet at least once a week while you have fleas in your home.^{[25]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kevin Carrillo
  Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}

10

Get a flea prescription for your pet.

Medications help get rid of fleas and prevent new ones from hatching. Call your vet as soon as you know your pet has fleas to find out the best treatment option.^{[26]
X
Expert Source

Luke Lewis
Pest Management Expert
Expert Interview. 21 June April 2022.}^{[27]
X
Expert Source

Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.} They may prescribe an oral or topical medication that helps get rid of fleas and prevents larvae from growing. Follow your vet’s instructions to ensure you eliminate all of the fleas.^{[28]
X
Research source}
- Most commonly, you’ll get a “spot-on” treatment where you apply a topical medication to the back of your pet’s neck so they aren’t able to reach or lick it.
- Try to keep your pet separate from other animals and in a single room so it doesn’t spread fleas around your home.

11

Keep your lawn mowed and clear of debris.

Fleas won’t have anywhere to live if you keep your yard clean. Rake through your yard to get rid of any dead grass or debris where fleas might live. Pay extra attention to anywhere your pets sleep or go outdoors. Mow your lawn and keep it short so fleas don’t have anywhere to hide from the heat.^{[29]
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}
- Wear tall white socks when you’re treating your yard. When fleas jump out of the grass, they’ll land on your socks so you can easily see and remove them without getting bitten.^{[30]
  X
  Research source}

12

Apply chemical treatment to problem areas outside.

Insecticides prevent fleas from fully maturing and getting inside.^{[31]
X
Expert Source

Luke Lewis
Pest Management Expert
Expert Interview. 21 June April 2022.} An IGR like pyriproxyfen works best to control flea problems. Dilute the insecticide with water following the mixing instructions on the package and load it into a hand sprayer. Instead of spraying your entire yard, targeting areas where your pet likes to go, as well as along fences, under decks, and next to your home’s foundation, should do the trick.^{[32]
X
Research source}
- IGRs work to get rid of and prevent fleas for up to 6 months.

13

Call an exterminator for a heavy infestation.

Get an expert on the scene if you can’t get rid of fleas on your own. If you’re having trouble managing the fleas in your home, reach out to a professional service. They’ll be able to determine the size and source of your flea problem and use some more intense chemicals to help get rid of them.^{[33]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Question

How effective is fogging for fleas?

Luke Lewis
Pest Management Expert
Luke Lewis is a Pest Management Expert and the Founder and President of Native Pest Management. Luke has led his company for over 7 years and specializes in pet-friendly and eco-friendly pest control, termite control, and lawn care. Native Pest Management was named as one of Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies in America. Luke holds both BS and MS degrees from the University of Florida and is a graduate of UF's Pest Management University.

Luke Lewis

Pest Management Expert

Expert Answer

Not that effective. Aerosol insecticide sprays are recommended instead of foggers, which will allow you to direct sprays under beds and other furniture and cracks and crevices that foggers may be unable to reach.

Warnings

Always read the warning labels on any insecticides you use in case they aren’t safe around pets or children.^{[35]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you can’t easily wash pet bedding or toys that have been infested with fleas, throw them away as soon as you can.^{[36]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Flea bites usually only cause itching and slight swelling and do not need medical attention. However, if you develop hives, shortness of breath, dizziness, or weakness, it could be a sign of a more serious allergic reaction or infection. Contact your doctor to find out if you need any further treatment.^{[37]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0