Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Oct 23, 2025

How to get rid of fleas – for a happier home and healthier pets

How to get rid of fleas – for a happier home and healthier pets

It's flea season! Follow our step-by-step guide on how to get rid of fleas in the house

As Britain braces itself for freezing temperatures millions of households are set to crank up the heating, and for longer periods of time. But in doing so are inadvertently providing fleas with the optimum conditions needed to multiply. Yuk. Want to know how to get rid of fleas? If the answer is yes, then read on.

From natural ways to remove fleas to getting rid of fleas from your home and pets, we’ll tell you how to get rid of these dreaded pests for your house with our step-by-step guide.

How to get rid of fleas




Did you know that fleas can multiply by 800 million in just a matter of days? Fleas live on their host, but eggs can be left on carpets, bedding and even you. Yes, you heard that right!

Warm environments lead to flea infestations, which is why you often see outbreaks at this time of year. Flea pupae – the cocoons in which fleas encase themselves in – can lie dormant in homes for months. They start hatching as temperatures indoors rise, with central heating being a catalyst. The warmer the home, the faster flea eggs develop into adults.

Dr. Karlien Heyrman, from Pets at Home, explains, ‘If left untreated, long term flea infestations can cause real suffering for pets – including dogs, cats and even small furries. Repeated bites can be uncomfortable and itchy for the pet, sometimes resulting in hair loss or a secondary skin infection. Fleas can and may also bite humans in the most serious of cases. Regular, preventative treatment is a sensible precaution for all pet owners.’ Enough said.

The first step after discovering you have a flea infestation is to clean everything that comes into contact with the host. This advice guide will walk you through the process of ridding yourselves and your home from these pesky blood-suckers.

1. Quarantine infested pets




Keep infected pets away from others and out of key living spaces to prevent the fleas from spreading.

2. Clean, clean, clean


Only adult fleas live on your pet but the eggs are in the environment. This is why, if your pets have fleas you must treat and clean your house as well.

Collect all bedding, throws, rugs and clothing and wash them in soapy water – washing liquid will do. The soapy water is known to kill the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults.

Vacuum everything. That includes all the carpets, furniture, cracks in the floor if you have wooden flooring, behind doors, mattresses and anywhere else that collects dust. Best practise is to throw away the dustbag or empty the canister after each clean.

The remaining flea larvae can be dealt with by having the carpets steam-cleaned. You could also shampoo your carpet with insecticidal shampoo or have a pest control expert professionally apply an infrared heat treatment to the carpet, which kills all stages of fleas. However, this type of treatment is costly.

Wash down your pets usual resting zones with plenty of soap and water to drown any existing fleas that might be awaiting their return. Check the label of your pet bedding and wash regularly at the temperature shown.

3. Check that you haven’t been infected


Fleas attack humans, too. If you suspect that you might be a victim of an infestation, it is best to take precautionary measures. Bathe one or two times daily with soap.

Comb your hair with a specially designed flea comb designed to drag fleas out from hiding. A lice comb may be sufficient if the flea population in your home is relatively small.

Anything you touch is a vector for fleas. Wash it thoroughly.

4. Make sure pets are thoroughly treated for fleas




You need to make sure that you have effectively removed all fleas from your host.

Wash your pet with soapy water (this might prove a little difficult for cats). Wash the neck first. This way, fleas don’t jump up to the head during the bath. Keep lathering your pet for up to 15 minutes to ensure that all the fleas have been killed. Rinse your pet under lukewarm water for several minutes, making sure to cleanse all the soap from its skin.

Comb your pet daily with a flea comb and dispose of any fleas you find in soapy water. Alternatively, you can use a lint roller to pat your animal down. This method works best on short haired animals.

Please note: You may want to take your pet to the vet before giving the animal a bath or using an insecticide shampoo to ensure the pet’s safety. Some pet supply stores will bathe your animal for a small fee.

Take caution when applying flea treatment to yourself and your pet. Only use treatments for the animal they are meant for. Cats and dogs may require different treatments.

How to prevent fleas




Prevention is always better than cure, so here are a few tips to control any future infestations.

5. Take further precautions


Restrict pets to areas that are easily cleaned or changeable.

Fleas love carpet fibres so be sure to vacuum as often as you can. Dispose of vacuum bags immediately after use.
Lay towels anywhere that your pet is likely to sit, and wash them all every week until the fleas are gone, and every so often after that.

Comb your pets daily with a flea comb and record you find so you can identify any surges in the flea population. Use soapy water to kill them.

Natural ways to remove fleas




Spread salt over the surface of your carpet. The salt crystal will attaches itself to the flea, drying it out. After 2-3 days, vacuum the salted area very thoroughly, making sure to pick all the salt and flea carcasses from the carpet. Repeat the process.

Make your own herbal flea bath. Take two cups fresh rosemary leaves and add them to two pints of water. Boil for approximately thirty minutes. Strain the liquid, discard the leaves and mix it with up to a gallon of warm water. Pour this over your pet. Do not rinse off, but allow your pet to air dry or dab them lightly with a towel or tissue paper.

Tips and warnings


Always check with your vet for potential allergens. Please do not use tea tree oil, cedar oil and citrus oil on cats. It could be potentially fatal.

When using any chemicals, follow the instructions carefully.

Make sure you wash your hands before and after eating and using chemicals, especially children.

We hope this how to get rid of fleas article will help to control your flea infestation.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
‘Frightening’ First Night in Prison for Sarkozy: Inmates Riot and Shout ‘Little Nicolas’
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
×