How to Treat a Crawlspace for Fleas

A flea infestation can be unpleasant for both pets and owners. Fleas can be difficult to treat because adult fleas and their eggs can live in the environment, independent of the host for a period of time. Fleas and flea eggs are transferred to floors, furniture, clothing, bedding, grass and anything else that a pet contacts directly. When tackling a flea infestation, you can't just treat the pet; you must treat the entire home and yard for fleas. Cats in particular prefer cozy locations like crawlspaces, so it's important to treat these small areas if a pet has accessed the area. In addition, crawlspaces in the attic could be accessed by flea-infested squirrels; those fleas can then be transferred to pets. So it's also important to treat crawlspaces if you've discovered evidence that wild animals have accessed these areas.

Things You'll Need

  • Vacuum
  • Trash bags
  • Anti-flea spray for surfaces with Nylar and insect growth regulator (IGR)
  • Face mask
  • Change of clothes
  • Flea bomb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Vacuum the crawlspace floors, walls and low ceilings to remove flea eggs and adult fleas. Flea eggs can be transferred to cobwebs and hard surfaces as an infested animal walks by, so it's important to vacuum these areas.

    • 2

      Bring the vacuum outdoors to remove the vacuum bag, or empty the vacuum canister into a trash bag. Seal the bag immediately and place it in an outdoor trash can. This must be done as soon as vacuuming is complete.

    • 3

      Turn the vacuum on its side, and spray the rotating brushes on the vacuum head with an anti-flea spray. This will kill any fleas and flea eggs that have become trapped in the vacuum brush. If there is a fabric vacuum bag, spray this as well. If you used the vacuum's hose, turn on the vacuum and spritz the flea spray at the opening of the hose. The spray will get sucked up the hose and it will kill any fleas/eggs that are trapped inside.

    • 4

      Don a face mask and use an anti-flea spray on the floor/carpeting, furniture, fabrics and any plush items stored in the crawlspace.

    • 5

      Remove the clothing and shoes worn while cleaning. Immediately place the clothing and shoes in the washing machine or seal the clothing inside a trash bag until it can be laundered. Change into fresh clothing.

    • 6

      Evaluate the crawlspace to determine if a flea bomb will be necessary. An empty crawl space with all hard surfaces can be effectively treated with a vacuum and anti-flea sprays. But a carpeted crawl space that's cluttered with items in storage---especially furniture, fabric or plush items---may still harbor fleas and their eggs. The latter scenario may require a flea bomb to resolve the infestation.

    • 7

      Set off a small flea bomb inside the crawl space (if necessary) and immediately evacuate the home with family members and pets. Read the flea bomb packaging to determine how long you'll need to stay out of the home. It usually takes an hour or two for the flea bomb spray to settle.