How do I get rid of fleas for good?

WikiPandaTamer982
09/17/24 6:48am
I'm mortified to be here asking this but I'm desperate at this point: I have fleas in my house and I dont' know how to get rid of them. They seem to really like my dog (mostly indoor dog but we use flea and tick meds) and the couch. I wouldn't say it's an infestation just yet, but it's been like this for months and nothing I do is keeping them away! What should I do/what am I doing wrong?

WikiDesertReader982
09/17/24 11:12am
I assume you've done this already but if not, start with a DEEP clean, and of your entire house - not just the couch or anywhere the dog goes (but ESPECIALLY those places). Get a strong vacuum and get in ALLLLL the nooks and crannies to pick up any eggs/larva that might be hiding there. Then wash EVERYTHING--the carpets, the upholstry, the couch covers, all your blankets, even things you think the fleas aren't in--with HOT water and soap. Steam your carpets. Dry your laundry on high heat. Get those buggers out of there. If you're using a flea treatment for your dog you shouldn't really need to resort to insecticide, but it's an option if things are severe enough. But if they're coming in the house on your dog you may need to chase them out of your yard. You can usually do this just by mowing regularly (and makking sure to hit shady hidden spots) and scatter cedar chips in any shady spots where your dog likes to hang out because fleas hate the smell.
wikiHow Expert
Chris Parker
Chris Parker
Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
09/17/24 8:04pm
I highly recommend taking your pet to the vet if you suspect fleas in the home. That's always the first step. The next step is to wash all of the pet's bedding and make sure you're using high heat for at least an hour on a dry cycle to get rid of any eggs or larva that might still be in there. Vacuum your home frequently, as well.
wikiHow Expert
David Schmucker
David Schmucker
Dog Trainer
09/18/24 1:33pm
Make sure you're using the right flea medication for your dog's breed and size first to kill all live fleas and eggs. Then, use a flea comb to remove the fleas and eggs from their fur. If you don't do the treatment first, the flea just jumps off the comb and lands somewhere else, so combing alone won't be effective.
WikiWombatReader561
09/18/24 5:49pm
Are you sure the fleas are coming for your dog? We had a flea problem a few years back (we don't even have a pet!) and I eventually realized they were coming in on mice :C Make sure you don't have any issues with rodest/other animals that might bring fleas in.
WikiManateeLeaper902
09/19/24 10:51am
Even if you miss a few eggs or larva here or there when you clean the fleas won't survive if they don't have anything to feed off of. They'll enter their cocoon stage but they won't come out if there's no host for them to feed from like your dog, so if your house is spick and span and your dog has been thoroughly flea treated, any leftover fleas won't have much hope of survival
Anonymous WikiMist
Anonymous WikiMist
10/29/24 6:45pm
I have the same problem
Ldmonterey
11/17/24 7:38pm
Check for eyelash mites.
Anonymous WikiBandicoot
Anonymous WikiBandicoot
11/08/24 5:14pm
I believe I have fleas on me I can feel them in my scalp eyelashes and arms. Can I wash myself with Dawn detergent or apple cider vinegar
Anonymous WikiIbis
Anonymous WikiIbis
11/09/24 7:37pm
You can wash your self with dawn dish liquid but I can dry your skin out. So if you do use lotion afterwards. Why do you think you have fleas on you? Fleas are not microscopic if you have fleas you can usually see them. They are small but not too tiny to see.
Anonymous WikiMist
Anonymous WikiMist
11/17/24 7:33pm
I may suggest to look for skin mites. They are at the base os eyelashes, on scalp, arms, even nose and ears. They are smaller than a pinhead. But they make you itch.
WikiCaveWalker683
12/11/24 3:31pm
We have fleas. I had to get rid of my dog. It’s going on 4 months now. I had exterminator 4 times and even bombed my house. I washed everything and still feel them. Help
Anonymous WikiButterfly
Anonymous WikiButterfly
12/13/24 3:36am
gonna be real i think that y'all are hallucinating bugs
Anonymous WikiCapybara
Anonymous WikiCapybara
11/12/24 3:07am
If you are anything like me, just thinking about fleas make me itch!
Anonymous WikiCapybara
Anonymous WikiCapybara
11/18/24 6:07pm
Drop the temperature in your house to as cold as possible and put a desk lamp over a (DISH) of dish detergent and water. The fleas will b-line for the lights heat source.
I have ceramic floors so I mop with flea shampoo. Sounds crazy however I got crazy results after nothing was thinning out the heard.
A salt/baking soda mixture works on carpets but needs to be broadcasted every other day for a week and vacuumed up prior to broadcasting the salt and baking soda again. )every other day for a week).

Buy some precor 2000. Get a couple of cans. That spray breaks the cycle or the fleas being able to reproduce.

Precore spray your areas vaccinated and respray 10 days later.

Vacuuming is key to having them be gone.

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Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
I try to keep things as safe for me and my dogs as possible. Instead of the chemicals and toxins suggested in this article, just apply diatomaceous earth to your carpeting and your dogs fur (it's food grade and safe enough to eat) and the fleas will be dead within hours.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Do all this to get rid of the infestation, but in the meantime you can also apply citrus oil from orange or lemon peels to your face and neck to avoid flea bites on your face and neck.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Cedar chips are a great repellent. Sprinkle them all around your yard once a month to help prevent fleas.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Dawn Dish Soap kills fleas on contact, and it's safe to wash your pets with.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
The number one thing you can do is treat your pets with flea medication or with an anti-flea collar. If you just try to kill the fleas as you see them you'll never get them all. They'll just keep laying eggs and the babies will keep just jumping on whatever furry animal there is around, unless the animal has been treated.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
I comb fleas off my pets with a wide-tooth comb and dish soap. My dog actually really loves it and seems to find it soothing lol.