Fleas are tiny, flightless insects that infest our pets (and sometimes us!). They hitch rides on furry friends and jump from host to host.
Where do fleas hide in the house?
You will mostly find fleas in areas that are warm and where they are less likely to be disturbed, such as:
- Cracks and crevices
- Warm areas like bedding and carpets
- Household furnishings such as seats
Fleas can reproduce swiftly and are, therefore, often found in great numbers. Moreso, eradicating these pests is not an easy ordeal. Therefore, being aware of their hideouts will help you be on the lookout.
Let’s discuss how to get your flea infestation under control!
Signs Your Home is Infested with Fleas
Locating these culprits can be quite challenging because they are very small. Often fleas are confused for fruit flies, as they are similar scale (we put together a fleas vs fruit flies article if you’re not sure what you’ve got).
Fleas will rarely go away on their own, so if you’ve got them, you’ll need to take action.
Adding to the challenge, they hide in areas that are easy to miss. However, there are a few telltale signs that you are playing host to these unwanted guests.
Some of the indications that your home is flea infested are:
1. Pets Scratch More Frequently
Is your dog, cat, or kitten suddenly scratching excessively? This is mostly an indication of fleas in your household. Bites from the vermin might be painful or irritating. Your pets scratch as a result of the discomfort.
Additionally, fleecy pets are mostly affected as fleas like to hide in thick furs. Fortunately, fleas rarely infest extra-furry pets like guinea pigs.
2. Red Bumps and Welts
Flea bites often leave tiny bumps on your skin. Additionally, pets may develop an allergic reaction which may intensify itching. Another way to tell apart flea bites from that of other insects is if the affected area turns red.
3. Hair Loss in Pets
Fleas cause excessive itching in cats and dogs. The presence of parasites on your pets’ fur irritates them, and they gradually lose hair due to intensive itching.
Where Do Fleas Hide in the House?
Locating fleas can be challenging, as they are very tiny. They are just barely big enough to see with the naked eye, but without magnification, it’s hard to get any detail. Therefore, knowing where to look for the culprits will help you eradicate them. Some of the common hideouts for fleas are:
Locating fleas can be challenging as they are very tiny.
1. Carpeting
Most carpets are warm and cozy. Additionally, they are made of thick material. As a result, carpets attract fleas since they like warm places to lay their eggs. Moreso, fleas can reproduce easily as there is minimal disturbance.
2. Cracks and Crevices
Fleas like hiding in cracks, similar to many other insects. You will also find them anywhere with gaps or crevices. This is because cracks stay undisturbed and are warm and moist. These conditions are ideal for breeding; hence the pests thrive here.
3. Bedding
Just like carpets, bedding is warm and inviting. Therefore, they form an ideal hiding and breeding place for fleas. They prey on you when you cover yourself. What’s more, they are frequently found in pets’ bedding, so that they can feed easily on pets.
Just like carpets, bedding is warm and inviting.
4. Couches and Upholstery
You can easily find fleas hiding in couches.
This is due to the cushioning that makes them warm and comfortable. Keep a close eye on any furniture you bring to your house, particularly upholstered furniture. Bed bugs, fleas, and more will happily hitch a ride on your second-hand furniture!
5. Mattresses
It is not uncommon to find fleas hiding on or in your mattress. Mattresses are very convenient for the vermin as they feed on you when you lie down. While you’re asleep, pests can feed without concern.
Although fleas can’t hide on your skin, they will feed on your blood until they are full.
6. On Cats and Dogs
Cats and dogs are naturally furry. As a result, they form great spots for fleas to lay their eggs. Although they are mainly found on fur, it is not uncommon to find the culprits under pets’ bellies.
They hide on the belly to easily hop to the carpets when the pests move. In addition, you will find fleas wherever your pets frequent most.
How Do You Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home?
If you don’t want to be overwhelmed with a flea infestation, you need to take care of it immediately, particularly if you have pets.
However, eradicating fleas from your home is not for the faint-hearted. The process might take some time, so you need to be patient. Nevertheless, here are a few ways to eliminate fleas in your home:
1. Vacuum Cleaning
Having a powerful vacuum will be of great help in this process. During vacuuming, one should target all the areas the fleas are likely to hide, such as corners and furniture.
The recommended vacuum cleaner for this process is one with a bag. This is because the bag collects all the dead fleas and their eggs. This way, you won’t have to touch them.
2. Wash All Bedding
Once you suspect that your home is invaded by fleas, washing all bedding is necessary to help get rid of them. You should use warm soapy water for best results. It would be best if you also washed the pet bedding and dried them at the highest setting to ensure that the bugs die completely.
3. Use a Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner is better than a vacuum cleaner as it also kills germs and larvae. Unlike other cleaners, it not only removes dirt but deep cleans the house, leaving you with an amazing smell. Additionally, a steam cleaner uses detergent to properly clean your carpets, including the areas where your pets lie.
Just note that while steam cleaners can be effective for getting rid of pest infestations like bed bugs and fleas, they can also spread infestations. If you’re renting a cleaner, inform your company that you have an infestation, and they will likely do another cleaning afterward. You don’t want to spread your infestation!
Conclusion
Fleas are tiny insects that can be overlooked easily. Furthermore, they reproduce speedily and should therefore be eradicated as soon as you notice one or two. You will mostly find them in warm and cozy areas around the house, primarily in areas associated with your pets. Warm areas like bedding, couches, and mattresses form perfect breeding places for fleas.Â
While a flea infestation is not obvious, there are telltale signs like your pets’ itching that is an indication of flea infestation in your home. Additionally, steam cleaning and washing all the bedding are among some effective ways of getting rid of fleas.
