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Luckily this has never happened to me, but I have many friends who have tackled flea issues in their homes. Having fleas in your carpet is not just annoying, but it can be dangerous. Adult fleas can carry disease and cause skin irritation. Learning how to get rid of fleas in carpet is important, so you don’t result in a full-on infestation.
To tackle a flea infestation, you need to get rid of the adult fleas, flea larvae, and flea eggs. You can call pest control services or try the natural remedy for fleas below.
How to Tell if You Have Fleas in Your Carpet
If you have a bad flea investigation, you will know pretty quickly. You will see them jumping and feel them biting. However, fleas can be hard to spot if you have a dark-colored carpet.
The first sign of fleas in your carpet is usually when they start to bite your feet and ankles. If you are barefoot, they will attack, and you will feel them bite and see the red bumps (similar to a mosquito bite) on your skin.
What Do Fleas Look Like?
Fleas are small brown insects that are 2 to 3 mm long. They do not have wings but have large back legs that they use for jumping. They can jump up to 8 inches, which may not sound a lot, but it is impressive for their size. If a flea were the same size as a human, this would equate to jumping the length of two and a half Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Flea Bites
Not everyone feels a flea bite when it is happening. Most people discover the bite when it starts to itch. The bites itch due to irritation from the flea’s saliva, which contains a blood-thinning agent. It would be best if you tried not to scratch the bites as it can cause infection. Instead, wash the area with antibacterial soap.
How Did Fleas Get Inside Your Home
Most flea infestations are started from a family pet. Your dog or cat is prime real estate for fleas, and if they fleas, they will bring them to your house. If you do not have any pets, then the fleas have been brought in by some other animal. These animals are usually rodents (mice or rats) or even bigger animals such as raccoons or possums.
Once you identify the origin of the infestation, you need to treat it. Ensure you get a good flea treatment for your pet, clean their bedding, and identify all areas in your house where the fleas are.
How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Carpet
If you have a significant infestation, you may need to call a professional. But there are some things you can try first.
- Start with a thorough vacuuming. If the fleas are in a contained area, vacuum this area a few times. Use the nozzle attachment to really suck up as many fleas and eggs as you can. Do this two or three times a day. Don’t forget to empty your vacuum outside as it will now contain fleas and flea eggs.
- Treat the area with baking soda and salt. Mix baking soda and finely ground salt in a 50/50 mix. Scatter this on the affected area and leave for 12 hours. Then vacuum the area to remove the baking soda on salt. This natural remedy will help kill off the eggs and larvae.
- Diatomaceous Earth. This is another natural flea remedy. Mix the Diatomaceous earth with baking soda and spread it on the carpet. Leave it for 48 hours, then clean it up using your vacuum cleaner. This should do the trick.
- Steam Cleaning. After you have done the steps above, using a steam cleaner for a final clean will ensure all the fleas are gone.
If none of these options work then, you will need to call professional pest control services.
How to Make Sure They Don’t Come Back
Once you have lived through a fleas infestation, you don’t want them to come back. Here are a few steps to take to stop fleas before they get to your carpet.
- Keep your pets flea-free. Ask your vet for a flea control program for your dog or cat. If you stop your pet from getting fleas, you will stop the entry point.
- Pet Bedding. Pay special attention to your pet bedding. This will be the first place you will see new fleas. If you see flea activity in your pet’s bed, take immediate action.
- Regular vacuuming. If you have had a flea issue, then double up on your vacuuming for the next few weeks. A female flea can lay sixty eggs at a time, so even a small number of fleas can soon turn into a full-on infestation.
Removing fleas from your carpet is possible if you identify the fleas' source, get rid of the fleas from the source, and then treat the affected carpet. Acting quickly will limit the flea population and make it easier to irradicate.