How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House: All the Steps to Take

Are you trying to learn how to get rid of fleas in your house? If yes, you should check out our guide here on everything you need to do.

Fleas are extremely annoying, tiny pests that can easily infiltrate your home.

Even if you don’t have a cat or dog, it’s still possible to end up with a flea infestation.

If you want to know how to get rid of fleas in your house, read on to discover some helpful tips to ensure that your home stays flea-free.

Try a Dish Soap Trap

If you’ve only spotted a few fleas here and there, a simple dish soap trap might do the trick to eradicate these icky pests. All you need is a plate or shallow bowl, some dish soap, and some water.

Fill the plate or bowl with a little bit of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Place your homemade trap in any room where the fleas have been spotted.

You can also strategically place this trap in corners of the room, in closets, and under the bed to trap as many fleas as possible. The mixture of water and soap creates a glue that makes it impossible for fleas to escape.

To ensure that your dish soap trap is effective, dump it out and start with a fresh mixture every day until the fleas are gone. The best way to get rid of them using this method is to place the traps at night.

Fleas are actually nocturnal insects, so they’ll start to hop and explore when the sun goes down, falling right into your clever trap of soap and water. You can use a candle or small light to lure them toward the trap but just make sure it’s always attended to in order to prevent a fire.

How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House with Baking Soda

Baking soda has tons of uses, and it’s known to help control fleas in the home. When you see fleas hopping around in your carpet, your first instinct is probably to start vacuuming them up.

While a thorough vacuuming can be somewhat effective, you can make it even more so with help from some baking soda and salt. Simply sprinkle some fresh baking soda and a bit of salt all over your carpets, rugs, and furniture.

Using a rough brush, rub the salt and baking soda into the fabric and carpet fibers. Once you’re done, vacuum your home including all upholstery and furnishings.

Make sure you empty the vacuum canister or bag completely and never store it after removing fleas since they can easily hop out and reinfest the home. Dispose of the dead fleas outside in a sealed container.

Try Natural Flea Removal Remedies

When possible, try to avoid using harsh chemicals that can threaten the health of your pet and your family. Instead, look for herbal pest control sprays that use safe, natural ingredients.

You can even make your own flea spray by mixing four liters of vinegar with two liters of water and around 500 milliliters of lemon juice. Add about 250 milliliters of witch hazel and shake everything up in a large spray bottle.

Vacuum your home thoroughly and dispose of the contents outside before you spray the mixture. Then, start to spray everything in the home including furniture, bedding, and carpeting. Don’t forget to vacuum and treat your pet’s bedding, too.

You can also use salt for a natural way to get rid of fleas in your home the natural way. Take some finely ground salt and sprinkle it on window sills and the carpet.

Let the salt sit for around two days and then vacuum it up. Another way to eliminate pesky fleas is to use a homemade citrus spray.

Slice a lemon into thin strips and add it to a pint of water, bringing everything to a boil. Let the mixture rest overnight and then pour it into a spray bottle. Spray your sofa, pet bedding, chairs, and carpet lightly to help keep fleas at bay.

Eliminate Fleas with Specific Plants

Certain plants can be a highly effective flea repellant. These plants contain specific compounds, oils, and chemicals that can turn fleas off and keep them from infiltrating your home.

You can plant these items around the perimeter of your home as part of the landscaping. If you prefer, plant them in pots and flower beds to add a bit of color to your garden while keeping fleas at a distance.

Some examples of plants that keep fleas away include pennyroyal and chrysanthemums, which are a beautiful, colorful flower. You can also plant fresh-smelling lavender and spearmint to reduce the chances of fleas entering your home.

Another plant that fleas absolutely hate is rosemary. You can use this directly on your pets to repel fleas and keep them away from your beloved animals.

Create a natural powder that contains rosemary, rue, fennel, and peppermint and grind them up using a mortar and pestle. Sprinkle the powder onto furniture, carpets, and window sills to protect your home and pets from fleas. Remember that this mixture won’t kill or eliminate fleas, but it will repel them and prevent them from coming inside or biting your pets.

Give Diatomaceous Earth a Try

When you’re thinking of how to get rid of fleas in your house, diatomaceous earth is one of the most effective methods. This unique material is the microscopic remains of fossilized algae known as diatoms.

You can find diatomaceous earth at many home improvement stores or you can purchase it directly online. This fine powder is non-toxic to pets and humans, but just make sure you choose the “food grade” version when using it in your home.

When fleas come into contact with diatomaceous earth, it dries them out and kills them. Sprinkle a thin layer of the powder over areas of the home where you think there is heavy flea activity.

Leave the powder on all areas for at least two days and then vacuum it up promptly. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times, especially if you’re dealing with a heavy infestation.

Diatomaceous earth can be extremely messy and it’s easy to breathe in due to its ultra-fine consistency. Always wear a protective face mask and eye protection when you sprinkle it in the home. Keep your pets in a separate room until the powder has completely settled as a protective measure.

More Aggressive Measures

If you’ve tried all of the suggestions above and still can’t seem to get rid of fleas, it could be time for some extreme measures. Try a heavy-duty carpet spray that can kill fleas on contact.

You can also fog your house, which may be effective for as long as seven months. This is enough time to kill all of the life stages of fleas so it can help prevent future infestations, too. Make sure everyone is out of the house, including your pets, before you fog your home.

Another aggressive way to kill fleas is to apply an outdoor yard spray. This spray can create a protective barrier around your home and it’s made to kill fleas living outside before they get inside the house and make your life miserable.

When all else fails, you should contact a professional pest control company to help you. They have the right tools, training, and treatments to ensure that you can get rid of those nasty fleas once and for all.

Flea Prevention Tips

A few simple things can help you prevent having to deal with fleas in the first place. Treat your cat or dog regularly with a prescription flea and tick prevention medication.

Make sure you keep your home clean by sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming on a regular basis. Throw your vacuum bag away every time you vacuum or empty the canister in a sealed container and keep it outside.

Check under furniture and near baseboards for any signs of fleas since they love to hang out in dark places. Clean and wipe down these areas thoroughly.

Wash your pet’s bedding and your own bedding at least once per week. You should also wash your pet’s toys since fleas can also hide in there, too. Hot water is best to kill fleas, eggs, and larvae.

Say Goodbye to Fleas Forever

You can try some or all of these methods if you need to know how to get rid of fleas in your house. With some perseverance and proactive methods, you can not only get rid of fleas but also keep them from coming back.

When in doubt, contact a professional pest control company to help you say goodbye to those pesky fleas once and for all.

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