Summary: Fleas are frustrating pests, but they’re not impossible to eliminate. This blog gives 8 easy ways to end a flea infestation. It also discusses the common signs of an infestation. Romney Pest Control provides customized solutions to all kinds of pest problems.
If you’ve ever owned a dog or cat, the risk of flea infestations is nothing new. Female fleas start reproducing after one meal and can create 40 to 50 eggs a day over their lifetimes. They’ll only continue to reproduce when they’re left alone, so it’s important to take action as soon as you suspect you have an infestation.
Since fleas are so small and don’t have a typical nest, controlling them takes a bit of extra effort. Professional treatments are the most effective when they’re used in combination with at-home preventative practices.
Let’s break down the clear signs of a flea infestation before we get into the most effective ways to control these pests.
The Signs of Fleas
Time is of the essence when it comes to fleas (or any pest, really). Infected fleas can spread diseases to pets and humans, including tapeworms, plague, and typhus. This is why flea treatments are heavily recommended by veterinarians and animal health experts. Flea control is about more than killing pests, it’s also about protecting your pets and family from health risks.
If you think your pet has fleas, there’s an easy test you can do. Put a clean tissue against your pet’s fur, and see if any bugs hop onto the white surface. They seem to be attracted to white, so they won’t be able to resist the tissue.
The tissue test isn’t a perfect science since fleas can live in close proximity to their hosts, not just on them. These are the most common signs of an infestation:
- Strange pet behavior — Excessive scratching and nibbling at their skin, restlessness, hair loss, and red bumps.
- Random bites on people and pets — Itchy, red welts that are concentrated near the neck and tail on animals and on the ankles and legs of humans.
- Flea dirt (droppings) — Pepper-like specks on their host that turn red when wet.
- Flea eggs — Cream-colored ovals that are hidden in carpet, crevices, and pet bedding.
- Any live fleas — Dark bugs that hop around and stay near their hosts, like on a pet’s bed or in the yard.
If you see any of these signs, it’s time to take action. Let’s discuss the best ways to end a flea infestation and prevent these bloodsuckers from returning.
Vacuum
The most efficient way to control fleas, vacuuming will remove all life stages of this pest. It’s especially good for your initial attack against a flea infestation. Vacuum the floors daily, and pay special attention to the areas where your pets like to sleep or lay down a lot.
For more detailed work, use the vacuum’s attachments to target the tight spaces that fleas love to hide within. The common ones are along baseboards, under furniture, in carpet crevices, and on upholstery. After vacuuming, dispose of the bag or canister’s contents in the outdoor garbage can.
Steam Clean
Following that train of thought, steam cleaning is another efficient way to remove a flea infestation. The combination of soap and steam kills all life stages. Before you do anything, confirm through research that the targeted materials won’t be ruined with steam cleaning.
Once you know that your furniture or carpet can be steam cleaned, it’s time to get to work! After vacuuming up the majority of the fleas, carefully steam clean all of the affected spaces. The most important areas to focus on are carpets, rugs, couches, and pet bedding.
Use a Flea Comb
If you see fleas hopping around on your dog or cat, it’s important to take action ASAP. A flea comb, a fine-toothed metal comb, catches bugs while allowing your pet’s hair to pass through. The comb will remove fleas, flea dirt, and dried blood.
As you carefully use the flea comb on your pet, deposit any captured bugs in a bucket of soapy water to kill them. The next steps after a thorough combing are a bath and treatment application (more on this later). Continue using the flea comb on your pet after the infestation is solved to make sure the pests didn’t make a return.
Use Heat in Your Laundry
We can’t escape the ever-growing laundry pile, but we can use it to our advantage in fighting fleas! Like bed bugs, fleas can’t survive high heat. That’s why washing and drying your fabric-based items should be a high priority when battling a flea infestation.
Infested bedding, blankets, fabrics, and pet bedding (at least, the washable items) need to be washed and dried in order to rid them of fleas. The recommended temperature for this purpose is above 130º Fahrenheit. If you can’t specify the temperature, just wash and dry items on high heat.
Maintain the Yard
Animals and people pick up fleas from outdoor areas, so tackle the problem at the source by keeping your yard trimmed and tidy. These pests prefer damp and shady areas, especially in the hot summer months. The more natural debris in the yard, the more hiding spots fleas have until they find a host.
On a regular basis, mow the lawn and trim back shrubbery. Remove leaf litter from the soil, lawn, and garden. Give your plants and grass the proper amount of water. Overwatered plants attract fleas when it’s humid outside. If your pet spends a lot of time outside, check them often for flea hitchhikers.
Protect Your Pets
We touched on it before with the flea comb, but we want to emphasize the importance of protecting your pets from fleas. Check your dog or cat’s fur often, and pay close attention to their neck, tail, and paws. These pests easily hide in thick fur, so an infestation can begin before you know it.
If you haven’t already, speak with your vet about flea and tick prevention for your pet. They will recommend treatments based on your pet’s needs and medical history. Flea collars, sprays, and oral medications are the most common.
Most pest control companies (including Romney) require pets to be treated for fleas before pest control services can be completed. Pets are often the source of infestations since these bugs can fly (or hop) under the radar while they continuously feed on an unsuspecting animal. Protect your pet against fleas, and the risk of flea issues is lowered.
Keep Wildlife Out
Speaking of furry animals that can have fleas, wildlife is another big source for flea infestations. Deer, squirrels, raccoons, mice, and opossum are all frequent carriers of fleas. If you have a big wildlife population in your yard, you might have a hidden flea party on your property.
By keeping wildlife out, you’re effectively lowering the risk of flea issues. Contact your local pest control to solve rodent issues, and use wildlife services to remove larger critters. Professional technicians will solve these problems both safely and efficiently.
One of the easiest ways to prevent wildlife is to keep the outdoor trash cans closed to contain all food-based trash. Most wildlife pests are nocturnal, so using lights at night also helps repel them.
Use Professional Services
Like we mentioned earlier, professional pest control is most effective when it’s done in conjunction with preventative tasks. Once your pets are treated and these other tasks are completed (that’s a fun rhyme!), the technician can find the source of the infestation and target it with strong treatments.
Flea eggs scatter because they’re unknowingly spread by the infested pet when it moves around the house and yard. It makes control more difficult, which is why professional services are needed. The technician can safely use both insecticides and insect growth regulators to target all life stages — including eggs.
The value of professional pest control isn’t just in its advanced treatments, it’s also in the informed advice on preventing these same pest problems from happening again. Your technician will advise you on how to prevent future flea infestations from plaguing your family and furry friends.
Fight Fleas with Romney Pest Control
Speaking of professional services, Romney Pest Control’s efficient services make flea control easy. Once your furry friends are treated for fleas, our licensed team can effectively safeguard your home against these pests. Our year-round treatment and prevention programs use targeted treatments and preventative measures to protect your property for the long run.
Fleas aren’t the only pests that bring a lot of problems. Summer is the busiest pest season because of the heat and humidity. Ants, spiders, mosquitoes, termites, and stinging insects are relentless this time of year. The easiest way to maintain a pest-free home is to receive regular services from Romney’s experienced team.
For a free quote on our reliable services, contact us today!
Citations
Controlling fleas and ticks around your home. (2025, June 2). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved June 4, 2025, from https://www.epa.gov/pets/controlling-fleas-and-ticks-around-your-home
Fleas. (n.d.). Today’s Homeowner. Retrieved June 4, 2025, from https://todayshomeowner.com/pest-control/fleas/
Hayes, E. (2025, April 16). How to get rid of fleas in the house fast (and naturally), per entomologists. Martha Stewart. Available at https://www.marthastewart.com/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas-in-the-house-fast-11716197 (Accessed on June 4, 2025).
Malin, Z. (2025, May 13). A step-by-step guide to getting rid of fleas, according to veterinarians. NBC News Select. Available at https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/how-get-rid-fleas-ncna1262654 (Accessed on June 4, 2025).
Treatments for getting rid of fleas. (n.d.). Terminix. Retrieved June 4, 2025, from https://www.terminix.com/other/fleas/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas/
