Do you have fleas in your carpets? You must be sick of them. A flea infestation can be one of the most challenging and upsetting realities to face. The thought of your carpets not being clean from the inside is terrible. It’s also psychological stress. Don’t worry. There is a solution to even the worst of infestations.
As a general rule, carpet cleaning will kill fleas. And the most effective method to kill fleas is steam cleaning. Keep in mind that fleas are afraid of high temperatures and carpet soap. If you’re cleaning your carpet yourself, there are steps you should follow to kill the fleas, once and for all. Read further to get the detailed instruction, on how to get rid of fleas and prevent their appearance.
Will Carpet Cleaning Kill Fleas?
Let’s start by giving you the answer to this question. Yes! Carpet cleaning can kill fleas.
It is important to know that normal or dry vacuuming will kill these annoying pests. However, the eggs might survive it. That’s how the process will start all over again.
Breeding, hatching of larvae, fleas dwelling in your carpets. In short, an infestation again.
The key to cleaning your carpets COMPLETELY from a flea invasion is Steam Cleaning.
Steam cleaning not only removes fleas but also gets rid of mildew, dust mites, and other allergens.
What Does the Flea Look Like?
I am very sorry, if you deal with the small jumping pests – fleas. They can turn your life into a nightmare. Let’s look at these insects a little closer to know your enemy.
The typical flea is very small – it has a body up 2 mm long. No wonder, that it’s very hard for you to notice it in your house. Very often, when you have already seen the flea in the carpet pile that means, their colony of them has already settled on your carpet.
The color of the flea body is dark brown. They can be found on all continents. Today, biologists know many kinds of fleas. But only some of them can parasitize on your dog or cat.
As a rule, dogs and cats suffer from flea, called Ctenocephalides felis. It can parasitize on humans, too, but not for a long time. Keep in mind that the intrusion of fleas in your house can happen not just during the warm months. At home, parasites live all year round.
The fleas can’t fly, but they can jump at long distances. The flea has a special tactile organ, which helps her feel the dog or cat near her. The pest can jump at a distance of 35 cm. That means, your dog or cat shouldn’t even come close to other animals to get infected with fleas.
How Long Do Fleas Live on the Carpet?
The flea’s life expectancy is quite short. It can live just 2-3 months. But that doesn’t mean you can now relax and simply wait till the flea dies of old age. During its short life, the flea lays up to 500 eggs. The adult fleas usually live on your pet’s fur. But the eggs usually fall down and peacefully stay in your carpet pile. After 1-10 days, on your carpet larvae appear. It can move. The flea larvae can live in the carpet pile for up to a year. It survives even in winter. Later it jumps on the animal’s hair again to parasites on it.
No need to say, that fleas are harmful to both, pets and their owners. So, how to get rid of them?
Essential Steps to Eliminate a Flea Infestation
The high temperatures and pressure from the steam cleaning are likely to kill fleas for good. I am sure you want to eliminate an infestation and never want fleas back again.
You should consider the following guidelines to achieve this purpose.
Step 1. Treat your pets for fleas
The easiest and most common way for fleas to gain entry into your house is through your pet. When your pet comes in after playing in the garden for some time, you dote on them and love them as usual.
What you might not pay attention to is that their skin might be providing residence to fleas. They lay eggs there as well.
I have seen how closely fleas are attached to an animal’s skin. Fleas will stay no matter how much your cat or dog grooms itself.
The most important thing is to get your pet treated for fleas. The vet can provide the appropriate medication.
It’s not a one-time thing. Your pets aren’t going to stop spending time outdoors so, get them checked for fleas regularly.
Step 2. Steam clean your carpet
Gear up and declare ‘Cleaning Time’. It can be a tiring process but worth it.
The high-temperature steam sprayed on the carpets is an antimicrobial heat agent. The heated water that penetrates through the carpets reaches the base of the fibers. It ruthlessly destroys everything found deep under.
Steam cleaning is better at removing all kinds of pests and dirt. The high temperatures of the state-of-the-art machine are enough to kill the pests and their eggs. It will also destroy pests at any stage of development.
Steam cleaning has its benefits. It is non-toxic and doesn’t use any chemicals. That means no pollutants will be left in your house.
PRO TIP
It is recommended to first steam clean your carpets and then employ the insecticide treatment.
If you do it vice versa, the effect of the insecticide can be significantly reduced.
Thoroughly clean your carpets, rugs, upholstery, and pet beddings. Don’t rush through the process. Take your time while cleaning.
Step 3. Repeat the cleaning process
This step is vital. Some flea eggs can survive no matter how deeply you cleaned the first time. This calls for the repetition of the steam cleaning process.
Are you thinking, “OMG, Again? Do we have to do everything again?” I am sorry but not very comforting answer is ‘Yes’. However, this will provide you with peace of mind once you completely abolish the flea infestation.
Compound the cleaning schedule to ensure the best results. Steam clean at least 2 to 3 days a week. Any new larvae or eggs will be eliminated every time you clean.
Having a routine is crucial in abolishing flea families.
Step 4. Professional pest treatment
I know you are capable of cleaning pretty well, but when an infestation is severe, let the pros handle it.
Consult a carpet cleaning company that specializes in pest control as well. They will brief you on what kind of treatment your carpet needs. Their top-of-the-line equipment coupled with professional training will entirely free your carpet from fleas.
How Do I Know Fleas Are Gone from My Home?
Even if you’ve taken all these measures, still, it’s not the time to relax. You have to examine your carpets and upholstery of sofas and armchairs regularly to be sure, that all fleas from your house have gone.
To achieve that aim, the first thing you have to do is to examine your carpets carefully. Look at the video to know, how to do it right:
Don’t forget to check your pet’s hair regularly to be sure, that no fleas can appear on your carpets again. Mostly, the fleas appear on the carpet after they have infected the fur of your pet. I recommend you treat your pet with anti-flea shampoo from time to time to prevent it.
It’s necessary to process the carpets with anti-flea solutions from time to time. You can take ready-made flea powder if you have some extra money and want to save time. Otherwise, you may prepare the homemade anti-flea remedy.
Homemade Anti-flea Solutions
To prevent the appearance of fleas in your carpet pile, use one of these homemade recipes. Thus, you’ll scare away the fleas and add some natural cozy fragrance to your room.
Dried lemon peel
I am sure, you like the smell of invigorating lemon and are not against refreshing the air in your house. Just cut the lemon peel and put it into a warm dry place. It’s good if you take the lemon peel in the sunlight for a few days. After that just put it on the carpet pile for a day or two. Then sweep the pieces of lemon peel away. Fleas hate the smell of lemon, so they will stay away from your carpet. Instead of lemon, you may use the grapefruit peel.
Wormwood and tansy
Fleas hate the smell of wormwood and tansy! That’s why get the dried herbs (both wormwood and tansy or separately) and lay them out on the carpet pile. Their strong smell will scare away the fleas and prevent their appearance. But they can do nothing with larvae.
Conclusion
Let’s get back to the original question. Yes, carpet cleaning will kill fleas. Steam cleaning is the most helpful for this purpose.
Remember to treat your pets for fleas now and then. Clean carpets, rugs, furniture, and any throws used in your house.
Flea problem can get on your nerves but it is solvable. Persistence is a necessity in the tiring process of eliminating a pest infestation. Use one of our homemade recipes to prevent the flea appearance in your carpet pile. Otherwise, you can get the pre-ready anti-flea remedy. I’ve provided you with the names of the most effective of them. If you have a carpet beetle problem, our post ‘How to get rid of carpet beetles?’ will help you a lot.