Get In Touch:
03303 332360
Fleas are more than just a nuisance; they’re a threat to your home’s cleanliness and the health of its inhabitants, including your furry friends. Understanding how fleas work, how to detect an infestation, and most importantly, how to deal with them, is crucial in maintaining a healthy home environment. This post explores the efficacy of carpet cleaners against fleas and provides practical advice for keeping your home flea-free.
Fleas are small, parasitic insects that find their way into homes primarily through pets or human traffic. They thrive in warm, humid environments and can jump onto your pets when they’re outside, hitching a ride back into your home.
Yes, fleas are dangerous. Beyond the irritation of flea bites, they can transmit diseases and cause allergic reactions in both pets and humans. For pets, a severe flea infestation can even lead to anaemia.
Once inside, fleas quickly reproduce and spread throughout your home. They lay eggs on pets, which can then be distributed across carpets, furniture, and bedding as pets move around.
Signs of a flea infestation include excessive itching or licking by your pets, visible flea bites on humans (particularly around the feet, ankles, and calves), and, in severe cases, flea debris on carpets or pet bedding.
Read More: How To Remove Carpet Beetles
Carpets provide an ideal environment for fleas to lay eggs and for those eggs to develop. The warm, sheltered fibres of carpets offer protection for flea larvae as they grow.
Shampooing or steam cleaning your carpet can kill fleas at various life stages. The process involves using hot water and, often, chemical cleaners that help to eradicate fleas and their eggs from the fibres of your carpet.
Yes, a carpet cleaner can kill fleas effectively. Professional carpet cleaners use high-temperature steam or hot water extraction methods that can eliminate fleas by drowning them and disrupting their life cycle. The combination of high heat and powerful cleaning solutions makes it difficult for fleas to survive.
Read More: Are Carpet Cleaners Worth It?
Treating your pets for fleas is the first step in tackling an infestation. Use vet-recommended flea treatments, such as topical solutions, flea collars, or medicated shampoos. Regular grooming and washing of pet bedding are also essential.
To use a carpet cleaner for fleas:
To prevent fleas from returning:
Understanding the enemy is the first step in winning the war against fleas. By keeping your pets treated, maintaining clean carpets, and being vigilant for signs of fleas, you can keep your home comfortable and safe for everyone who lives there.
If you’re reading this post and you’re wanting to swap out a flea breeding ground for something flea-proof, like laminate, why not give us a try and replace them? At Easipay Flooring we offer Carpets, Laminate, Vinyl, SPC and LVT flooring at affordable prices and we even let you break down the cost into weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment plans too, completely interest free! Sound good? Tap the button below to get set up a home visit to see our samples and get your free quote!
Temperatures over 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) are generally effective at killing adult fleas, larvae, and eggs. Most professional carpet cleaners use steam that exceeds this temperature.
Any carpet cleaner that uses hot water extraction or steam can effectively kill fleas. Ensure it reaches the necessary temperature and uses an appropriate cleaning solution if recommended.
During a flea outbreak, clean your carpets at least once a week. After the infestation is under control, cleaning your carpets every 1-2 months can help prevent re-infestation.
While regular carpet cleaning solutions will clean and wash away debris, using a flea-specific formula or adding a flea insecticide to the water can enhance effectiveness. Always ensure it is safe for use in your machine and around pets and humans.
Immediately seal and dispose of vacuum bags outside your home. If using a bagless vacuum, empty the canister into a bag, seal it, and dispose of it outside, then clean the canister and filter.
Some fleas might survive vacuuming due to their resilience. Therefore, it’s crucial to promptly dispose of or clean vacuum contents and use high heat when steam cleaning or shampooing carpets.
Diatomaceous earth can be used as a natural alternative. It’s a powder that dehydrates and kills fleas. Sprinkle it on your carpets, leave it for a few days, and then vacuum thoroughly.
Regular vacuuming, steam cleaning, using flea treatments on pets, and washing pet bedding regularly are key strategies to prevent flea infestations.
Besides carpets, clean upholstery, pet bedding, and any fabric surfaces. Also, target dark, less accessible areas where flea larvae might hide.
Fewer bites on humans and pets, less scratching from pets, and not spotting fleas in carpet fibres are good indicators that your efforts are effective.
Always choose pet and child-safe cleaning solutions, and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for dilution and application to mitigate risk.
Yes, like many pests, fleas can develop resistance to chemicals, especially if the same treatments are used repeatedly. Rotate treatments or combine methods for effectiveness.
For severe infestations, professional pest control services can provide more comprehensive solutions that might be more effective than DIY methods.
Flea eggs typically hatch within 2 to 14 days. Frequent cleaning during this period can help ensure you are removing fleas at different stages of their life cycle.
Yes, fleas thrive in humid environments, so maintaining lower humidity levels can help deter their growth and reproduction.
Choosing Vinyl Flooring As A Pet Owner Choosing the right flooring when you have pets can be a challenge. You need something durable, easy to
Removing Common Stains From Vinyl Flooring Vinyl flooring is a popular choice in many homes due to its durability, versatility, and ease of maintenance. However,
How To Clean Pasta Sauce Spills On Laminate Flooring Spilling pasta sauce can be a common yet frustrating occurrence, especially on beautiful laminate flooring. Laminate
Choosing The Right Carpets For High Traffic Areas When selecting carpeting for high traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms, and stairs, durability and resilience
Can Vinyl Flooring Be Installed Outside? Vinyl flooring is known for its durability, ease of maintenance, and aesthetic appeal, making it a popular choice for
How To Tackle Spilled Soup On Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring is a popular choice in homes due to its attractiveness, durability, and ease of maintenance.
Contact Us!