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How to prevent fleas from infesting your home

Nobody wants an infestation of these nasty little creatures. The best way to prevent fleas is to take some simple precautions.

Pets, like dogs and cats are the main source of fleas in the home. Flea prevention for dogs and cats is something homeowners with pets need to seriously consider. Flea and tick prevention for dogs especially, should be given added attention depending on the season of the year and the amount of time dogs spend outside and in wooded areas.

 Best ways to prevent fleas from entering your home

Help keep your home safe with these effective prevention tips to stop fleas from making their way inside.

Keep living spaces clean and tidy

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent fleas, as it removes eggs, larvae, and flea dirt from areas where they tend to hide. Here are a few tips:

  • Vacuum regularly to pick up adult fleas, larvae, and eggs from carpets, pet bedding, and upholstery. Be sure to empty vacuum bags immediately to prevent fleas from escaping back into your home.
  • Wash pet bedding weekly in hot water to kill fleas in all life stages.
  • Inspect new homes carefully, especially if previous owners had pets. Flea eggs or larvae may be hidden in carpets and other soft surfaces.

Maintain a clean yard

Fleas are commonly found outdoors, especially during flea season, making yard maintenance crucial in flea prevention. Keeping your yard tidy and well-maintained helps minimize flea habitats, reducing the chance of fleas attaching to your pets. Trim bushes and grass regularly to reduce shaded areas where fleas thrive, and remove debris or organic matter that could provide hiding spots. If your pets spend a lot of time outdoors, consider using flea prevention products in your yard to create an added barrier against fleas.

Minimize wildlife contact

Wild animals like raccoons, possums, and stray cats can carry fleas, which can then transfer to your pets and ultimately into your home. To reduce this risk, avoid leaving pet food outside, as this can attract wildlife to your yard. Seal any gaps or entry points around your home to prevent wildlife from accessing your property, and check your pets regularly for fleas using a flea comb, especially after they’ve been outdoors.

Use flea traps and dehumidifiers

You can further reduce fleas indoors by using flea traps and dehumidifiers. Flea traps placed in areas where your pets spend most of their time can capture fleas and help monitor flea activity. Running a dehumidifier lowers humidity levels, creating an environment less favorable for fleas, as they thrive in warm, humid conditions. These tools can help maintain a safe home and provide an additional layer of flea control.

FACT: After feeding, a female cat flea can lay between 25 and 40 eggs a day, in the fur of the host or its bedding. A single female cat flea can produce up to 2,000 eggs in a lifetime.

What makes flea prevention difficult over time?

Fleas can be challenging to manage due to their complex life cycle and adaptability. Here are some reasons why fleas can persist even with prevention efforts:

  • Long dormancy periods: Flea cocoons can stay dormant for up to two years, hatching only when the conditions are ideal.
  • Tiny eggs: Flea eggs are incredibly small and almost invisible, making them difficult to detect on surfaces like carpets or pet bedding.
  • Fast breeding cycle: Fleas can reproduce rapidly, making it hard to eliminate them entirely without professional assistance. A female flea can lay 25-40 eggs daily, adding up to thousands over its lifetime.
  • Varied life cycle: A flea’s life cycle can range from two weeks to eight months, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions and survive longer than expected.

Our expert, local certified technicians know exactly what to do when it comes to getting rid of fleas. They understand the habits of different types of flea and can offer the most appropriate and effective solution. It goes without saying that all treatments used are safe for your family and your pets.

Why regular flea prevention is essential for pet owners

Regular flea prevention is crucial for pet owners because it ensures both pets and homes remain safeguarded from fleas and the health risks they pose. Fleas can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and even transmit diseases, such as tapeworms, that affect pet health. Since fleas reproduce quickly, ongoing prevention efforts help break their life cycle at every stage, from eggs to adults, significantly reducing the risk of an infestation. 

Seasonal adjustments are also necessary, as fleas are more active in warmer months. By using flea collars, flea shampoo, and other tailored prevention products, pet owners can keep their animals comfortable and healthy year-round. Consulting with a veterinarian can help you choose the most effective treatments based on your pets' needs.

The benefits of professional flea prevention

Choosing professional flea prevention services offers numerous advantages, especially when facing persistent flea issues. Professionals have the expertise and resources to address flea problems comprehensively, with treatments designed to tackle all stages of the flea life cycle. This thorough approach helps prevent reinfestation and provides longer-lasting relief than many DIY flea treatments

Professional treatments are also carefully selected to be safe for both pets and family members, giving homeowners peace of mind. Additionally, professionals understand flea behavior and can tailor solutions to your environment, whether it’s treating the interior of your home, your yard, or pet areas. This targeted, efficient approach helps ensure effective, ongoing protection, making professional flea prevention a wise choice for lasting results.

Do you need expert treatments from Ehrlich?

If you have a flea problem you can’t get on top of you can get in touch with us for a fast, effective flea control solution. Call Ehrlich at 855-886-0514 to arrange an appointment. We’ll help you to get rid of fleas in your home and prevent fleas in the future.

Next steps

Flea bites

Find out more about Flea bites, the risks and how to treat them

Flea diseases

Learn about the different diseases that can be transmitted by fleas

Frequently asked questions

What stops fleas from getting on you?

To prevent fleas, wear long clothing to minimize exposed skin and use insect repellents specifically labeled to repel fleas. Flea prevention products for pets can also help reduce the chance of fleas entering your home and transferring onto people. Maintaining a clean environment by vacuuming regularly and washing pet bedding helps keep flea populations low.

What kills fleas instantly in the house?

There are several options for killing fleas instantly in the home. Flea sprays containing ingredients like permethrin or pyrethrin can be highly effective for quick elimination. For a natural option, diatomaceous earth can kill fleas on contact when applied to carpets and pet bedding. Flea foggers and steam cleaning also work to eliminate fleas and their eggs instantly but require a thorough application to reach all infested areas.

What scent do fleas hate?

Fleas are repelled by certain scents, such as lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and cedar. Using essential oils with these scents in a diffuser or diluted in a spray can help deter fleas. These scents can be added to pet bedding or lightly sprayed around the home to create an environment that fleas find less attractive.

What attracts fleas the most?

Fleas are primarily attracted to warmth, movement, and carbon dioxide, which are signals of a potential host, like pets or people. They are drawn to animals with thicker fur, as it provides an ideal place for feeding and laying eggs. The presence of other animals or wildlife near your home can also attract fleas, which may then transfer to your pets or indoors.

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