Flea Extermination Ideas

Fleas have a habit of attaching themselves to household pets and as a result they can become a problem in the home. Adult fleas feed on the living blood of mammals and their young feed on dried blood that has been defecated by the adults, making them an unwelcome visitor. Luckily though, there are several popular and highly effective ways to exterminate fleas and eliminate them from the home.

  1. Soapy Water

    • Sometimes the basic methods are the best, and when it comes to fleas, a simple mixture of soap and water is highly effective. As fleas are more than likely attaching themselves to your pets, it makes sense to target animal bedding first. Collect bedding, rugs and throws and wash them in soapy water. Soapy water kills the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Make sure when you move the bedding that no eggs fall off, otherwise they will still hatch and spread.

    Sorptive Dusts

    • Sorptive dusts are highly effective at killing fleas. They work by absorbing moisture from the fleas' bodies, which in turn dehydrates them. Apply the dust to carpets, bedding and directly onto pets. Make sure the room is well ventilated and sprinkle the dust away from your pet's face as inhaling it can irritate the lungs. As with any flea treatment, consult your vet before applying it to your pet.

    Professionally Clean the Carpet

    • Carpets make good homes for fleas and although vacuuming will be effective to an extent, some fleas will still remain afterwards. Call in a professional carpet cleaning company and inform them that you have flea problems. They will then be able to steam clean the carpet, which will kill fleas at all stages of life except the eggs. They'll then shampoo the carpet with insecticidal carpet shampoo to exterminate any remaining fleas.

    Flea Collars

    • As your pet will more than likely be the culprit in bringing fleas into the home, protecting them from further infestations is vital. One method is to buy a flea collar. Flea collars work by constantly emitting poisonous vapors that kill any fleas on the animal. However, a drawback is that in some rare cases they can be harmful to your pet, so use collars with caution and remove the collar if irritation to your pet's skin becomes visible. Store them in a cool, dry place inside a tightly sealed container when not in use.