How to Remove Fleas From Dog Bedding

Pet owners spend more than $1 billion per year in flea control. Fleas feed on blood, releasing salivary secretions in the process. These secretions often lead to red, itchy swellings with a puncture point in the center. Severe reactions include rash, inflammation, anemia and secondary infections caused by scratching. They can also transmit tapeworms to dogs. Fleas often hide in dog bedding, so thoroughly clean your dog's bedding and bed area regularly and make sure to treat it with a pesticide that is safe for dogs.

Things You'll Need

  • Hot water
  • Soap
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Pesticide
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect your dog's bedding for flea feces, which looks like a fine, reddish-black dust. The feces contains blood and feeds flea larvae. Also check for tapeworm segments, which are either opaque white or pinkish white and are flat and rectangular when fresh. When dry, these segments measure less than 1/16-inch long and are yellow or off-white. If you see tapeworm segments, bring your dog to a veterinarian immediately.

    • 2

      Dry-clean the dog's bedding or wash it with hot, soapy water every week. If your dog sleeps with family members, wash this bedding weekly as well.

    • 3

      Vacuum the dog's bedding area to remove flea eggs and dried blood feces. Repeat this every two days. Place the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and discard it immediately into an outdoor trash can. If you use a vacuum cleaner with a liquid water medium, throw away the dirty water away from the house. Vacuuming removes up to 30 percent of flea larvae and up to 60 percent of flea eggs.

    • 4

      Treat the dog's bedding with a low-toxicity pesticide such as 5% carbaryl, citrus sprays that contain limonene or linalool, diatomaceous earth dust, methoprene and pyriproxyfen. Methoprene and pyriproxyfen sprays work by inhibiting the fleas' growth. Methoprene only works indoors because it becomes unstable in sunlight. Repeat the application after a few days, following label instructions.