How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House

Fleas are not beaten by one big effort in one room. Only a small part of any infestation is the adult fleas biting you. The rest, eggs, larvae and pupae, sits in carpets, rugs and bedding waiting to become the next wave.

So the job is a routine that targets all of it in the right order. Here is how to approach it, and where home efforts tend to run out of steam.

Start with the animals

If you have pets, they are the first priority, because a treated house will simply be reinfested if the animal is still carrying fleas. Ask your vet which flea product suits your pet's species, size and health. Products made for dogs can be dangerous for cats, so never swap them over.

Treat every cat and dog in the household at the same time, not just the one that scratches most. Pets that go in and out need ongoing protection, not a single dose.

Comb your pet over a white towel or sheet of paper so you can see what falls off. It will show you whether the fleas are still there and whether the treatment is working, and it keeps a record of how things change from week to week.

Wash everything that can be washed

Strip beds and gather throws, cushion covers, pet bedding and soft toys. Wash them on the hottest cycle the fabric allows, then dry them thoroughly. Heat is one of the most reliable things you have against all the life stages.

Do not forget the places people overlook: car seats where pets travel, the sofa throw, the spare room bed and the dog blanket in the hall. Anywhere an animal rests is a place where eggs can drop.

Work through the whole house, not only the room where the bites happen. Fleas move, and the pet's favourite sofa is usually involved.

• Pet beds, blankets and cushion covers
• Bed linen and mattress protectors
• Soft toys and throws
• Curtains that touch the floor

Vacuum like you mean it

Vacuum carpets, rugs, sofas, skirting boards, under furniture and any crack in floorboards. The vibration and airflow encourage dormant pupae to emerge, which actually helps, as they become easier to deal with.

Go slowly and overlap your passes. Empty the bag or bin into a sealed bag straight afterwards and put it in the outside bin, otherwise you simply move the problem. Repeat every day or two for a few weeks.

Steam cleaning can help on hard floors and some upholstery, but check the manufacturer's advice first.

Keep a simple note of what you have done and when. It helps you judge whether bites are fading, and it gives a technician useful information if you do need to call for an inspection.

Be realistic about shop-bought products

Sprays, foggers and powders are on sale everywhere. They can reduce numbers but often miss the eggs and pupae that are protected deep in carpet pile or under furniture. Used badly, they also bring avoidable risks for children, pets and people with breathing problems, so follow the label and ventilate carefully.

If you have done the pets, the washing and several weeks of vacuuming and are still being bitten, or if there are fleas in many rooms, that is when a professional treatment makes sense. A technician will inspect first, then use professional products and tell you how to prepare, so that the visit does what it should. Results depend on the infestation, and the pets must still be treated alongside it.

Frequently asked questions