Confirm You Have Fleas – Check your pets and use a damp paper towel to identify flea dirt.
Treat Your Pets – Use vet-approved flea treatments like collars, topical solutions, or oral medications. Consult your veterinarian to understand the specific pros and cons of each option.
Vacuum Everything – Fleas hide in carpets, furniture, and pet bedding. Vacuum thoroughly and dispose of the bag outside.
Wash All Fabrics – Wash pet bedding, blankets, and upholstery in hot water to kill flea eggs and larvae.
Treat Your Home – Use flea sprays with insect growth regulators, diatomaceous earth, or flea foggers to break the flea lifecycle.
Stay Consistent – Fleas can hatch in cycles, so continue vacuuming and washing bedding daily. Use monthly flea prevention for pets as recommended by your vet.
Call the Experts if Needed – If the infestation persists, Forterra Pest Control can provide professional flea treatments and long-term prevention.
Dealing with fleas in your home can be incredibly frustrating. One minute, your furry friend is happily lounging on the couch, and the next, you realize your home is under siege by these tiny, jumpy pests. I’ve been there—flea infestations can seem impossible to beat, but with the right approach, you can reclaim your home.
If you’ve found yourself scratching more than usual and suspect fleas might be the culprit, don’t panic! We’ve put together a simple, step-by-step guide to help you eliminate these pesky insects. And, if the situation feels out of hand, don’t hesitate to reach out to the professionals at Forterra Pest Control, who have the expertise and tools to handle even the most stubborn infestations.
Before you start running around spraying chemicals, it’s essential to be sure you’re dealing with fleas and not something else like dust mites or bed bugs. Fleas are small (about the size of a pinhead), dark brown or black, and they jump rather than crawl. You can often find them on your pets, especially around their necks, tails, or underbelly.
A quick test is to use a damp white towel or paper towel and run it along the carpet or pet bedding. If you see little specks of dirt that turn red when wet, it’s likely flea feces, indicating you’ve got fleas.
Another simple method is the sock test—put on a pair of tall white socks and walk across your carpet. If fleas are present, you may see tiny dark specks jumping onto the fabric. This is a quick and easy way to confirm an infestation.
If you have pets, they’re likely the main reason fleas have moved in. Start by treating them with a flea treatment that’s appropriate for their species, age, and health. Options include flea collars, topical treatments, and oral medications. Since we’re not veterinarians, we don’t advocate for any specific treatment—consult your vet to understand the best option for your pet.
While your pet is being treated, give them a bath to wash off any adult fleas and eggs that might still be hanging on. If you have multiple pets, make sure to treat them all at once—fleas multiply quickly, and one untreated pet can keep the infestation going.
Fleas are far less common in pet-free homes, but they can still show up. Wild animals—like stray cats, rodents, or even raccoons—passing through your yard could introduce fleas. If you have a crawlspace, fleas could also be living there and making their way inside. Treating the crawlspace may be necessary in these cases.
This article focuses on flea infestations caused by pets, but we’ll cover non-pet-related infestations in a future post. If you suspect fleas in your home but don’t have pets, it may be worth investigating these alternative sources.
Fleas love to hide in carpets, rugs, and furniture, and they can live for weeks or even months in their eggs or larvae stage. Vacuuming is your best defense for getting rid of these hidden fleas.
Here’s the trick: Vacuum every inch of your floors, paying special attention to areas where your pets like to rest. Don’t forget to go over the furniture, along with pet beds, couches, and chairs. Flea eggs and larvae can hide deep in fabric fibers, so you’ll need to use your vacuum’s crevice tool to get into those hard-to-reach areas.
After each vacuum session, make sure to empty the vacuum bag or container outside, away from your home. You don’t want any surviving fleas to make their way back in!
Fleas can also live on bedding, linens, and clothing, so it’s important to wash everything that your pet uses regularly. Wash all pet bedding, blankets, and any removable upholstery covers in hot water. Fleas won’t survive the heat, and you’ll get rid of any larvae or eggs that might be lingering.
If you have a lot of items to wash, consider doing smaller loads to ensure that the hot water gets to every fabric. Don’t forget to vacuum your washing machine too—fleas can sometimes hitch a ride in there, especially if you've washed any flea-infested items.
Now that your pets and laundry are taken care of, it’s time to tackle your home. There are a few ways to approach this, and you can choose the method that works best for you.
If you’re not sure which treatment is right for your home, consider consulting the experts at Forterra Pest Control. They can assess the severity of your flea problem and recommend the best approach for your situation.
Even after your initial treatment, you’ll need to stay vigilant. Fleas can hatch in waves, and it can take time for the problem to fully resolve. Vacuum daily for at least two weeks, as this will help stimulate flea eggs to hatch. When they hatch, they will come into contact with your flea treatments and die. If you skip vacuuming and wait for the eggs to naturally hatch, it will significantly prolong the time needed to address the issue. Also, wash your pet’s bedding often and continue using flea treatments on your pets as needed.
A monthly preventative flea treatment for your pets is a good idea to help reduce the risk of future infestations. However, any decisions about flea treatments should be made in consultation with your veterinarian to ensure you choose the best option for your pet's health and needs.
If fleas continue to be an issue despite your efforts, it might be time to bring in a professional pest control service.
If your flea infestation is out of control, it might be time to call in the pros. The team at Forterra Pest Control is well-versed in handling flea problems and can perform a thorough inspection of your home, apply safe and effective treatments, and help you with long-term solutions to prevent future infestations. With their expertise, you’ll be back to enjoying a flea-free home in no time.
Fleas may be tiny, but they can cause big problems. With a little patience and the right strategy, you can get rid of them and enjoy a more comfortable, pest-free home. Just remember: treating fleas takes persistence, and it’s not a one-time fix. Follow these steps, stay diligent, and don’t hesitate to get professional help if needed. Fleas don’t stand a chance!
Need assistance with fleas or other pests in your home? Contact Forterra Pest Control today to schedule an appointment or learn more about how we can help keep your home pest-free year-round.
