Fleas are frustrating pests that can wreak havoc on your pet and your home. Just when you think you’ve cleared a flea infestation, you’ll find another hopping off your pet and onto your clean floor. If you’re at your wits end getting rid of the fleas, you may be wondering how to eradicate them once and for all. Here’s a handy guide to help you find the rest of the fleas so you can get your life (and sanity) back.
Carpet
Fleas are typically easier to remove from hard surfaces than from soft ones like carpets and rugs. They can burrow down into the carpet, escaping your removal techniques. Carpets also provide a dark place to hide, which fleas love. You’ll need to vacuum thoroughly, multiple times a day to completely remove fleas.
Furniture
Fleas also love to hide in the cracks and crevices of your furniture. They may hide underneath your sofa or deep in the cushion of your armchair. Use an upholstery attachment on your vacuum to remove these fleas.
Basement/Crawl Space
Basements and crawl spaces are prime spots for fleas, and they’re often the start of a truly terrible flea infestation. Because these areas are often cool, moist, and dark, they serve as the perfect breeding ground for fleas. You may need to use flea “bombs” under your home to completely remove these fleas.
Bedding
Your pet’s bedding is likely harboring fleas, but they may be burrowed in your own bedding, as well. It’s best to wash all your sheets, comforters, and mattress covers in hot water to help eradicate the pests.
Laundry
If you leave your dirty laundry in hampers, you may find that fleas have set up residence, especially if your laundry area is cool and dark (such as in the basement). Until your flea infestation is gone, you may want to use only hot water to make sure all the fleas are killed during washing.
Cracks
Any cracks in your walls or floors may be great hiding spaces for fleas. Older homes are more likely to have these crevices, but newer homes may have some as well. A flea “bomb” should be able to reach these areas, too.
Shady Areas
When checking for fleas, don’t stop indoors. Your yard may be full of them, too. Check all shady areas, including under decks and trees. Fleas love cool, dark spaces. You can use outdoor flea pesticides to get them under control.
Pet Hotspots
Fleas need a host, but they may jump off that host on occasion. That’s why you’ll often find swarms of fleas in your pet’s favorite spots. Common areas include feeding stations and sleeping spaces.
Fur
Obviously, the most popular spot for fleas is on your pet. Dogs and cats are both prone to fleas, acting as a host for the pest to feed. When checking your pet, make sure you look in ears, around the neck, on the belly, and under the tail. Fleas love small areas, so they especially flock to these hiding spots.
If you do have a flea infestation, you may need to hire a professional to help solve the problem. You can prevent fleas in the first place by using an oral flea medication like Nexgard, which comes in a monthly chewable tablet, and also wards off ticks.
