Fleas in Carpet | Effective Ways to Eliminate Them

Fleas are tiny insects that are around a quarter of an inch long. They don’t have wings, but their long rear legs allow them to jump. They reproduce quickly and are frequently found in fabrics and carpets. Fleas must be dealt with immediately because they grow quickly, and they might cause allergic reactions or skin irritation.

How to get rid of fleas on your carpet? Vacuum your carpet properly. Pay attention in strips until the entire carpet is covered. Steam your carpets. The high temperature created by the steam cleaner can kill fleas. Use salt and sprinkle it all over your carpets in each room. Allow the salt to sit for 1 to 2 days before vacuuming the carpet. Then, throw the content into an outdoor garbage can.

Flea bites are itchy, and also possibly spread illnesses like murine typhus. The signs of this disease are headache, fever, and even body aches, but it can be treated with antibiotics.

Fortunately, natural flea remedies will be discussed in this article to help you prevent and eliminate fleas.

Flea Infestation on Carpet

Within the fur of their animal hosts, fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Eggs fall into carpeting as pets wander about indoors. Additionally, larvae are difficult to remove after hatching because they become deeply ingrained in pet bedding and carpet. 

Fleas find high-pile carpets to be the ideal hiding location. The bugs can leap up to seven inches off the ground in search of hosts. Fleas in the carpet may survive because of their exoskeletons, which make them crush-resistant when crushed on.

Can You See Fleas on the Carpet?

You can see fleas on the carpet. Fleas like to lay their eggs in carpets, so gently run your hands over them and start seeking fleas in between the threads of your carpet. You may get a closer look at fleas with the use of a magnifying lens.

How Do I Find Fleas in My Carpet?

Inspection is the initial step since you need to find the fleas’ hiding places. Fleas are small, flattened vertically, and have six legs but no wings. Your pet will begin to scratch frantically if they have fleas, and the skin will be covered in microscopic, black flea filth particles that resemble black pepper. This may later develop into red, itchy spots.

If fleas bite you you’ll notice red welts on your legs and ankles which itch profusely. Fleas tend to hang around sofas, beds, and carpeted areas where they enjoy nestling in the fibers. Look for active adult fleas and their feces and collect a few samples on a paper towel. Add a couple of drops of water and if the specks turn red you’ll know this isn’t just dirt.

How Long Can Fleas Live in a Carpet?

For two to three months on average, a flea can survive on a carpet. However, if they have a host and are left alone, they can remain on the carpet indefinitely. The lifespan of the flea may be limited if it doesn’t eat a blood meal. In order to prevent fleas from setting up permanent residence in your carpet, it is imperative to get rid of them as soon as possible.

How Long Can Flea Eggs Lay Dormant in the Carpet?

Flea eggs have a ten-day lifespan. It requires a humid, warm environment to hatch. Until they can find a host, they will lay dormant on your carpet and furniture.

What Time of Year Are Fleas Worse?

Beginning in March and continuing through November, the warmer months are when fleas proliferate. The climate in your state, though, affects how common these pests are. Because of this, it’s critical to keep an eye out for fleas on your dogs and property in the spring, summer, and fall.

Will Fleas Go Away on Their Own?

Fleas are extremely unlikely to pack up and depart your house on their own. Because fleas breed frequently and in large numbers, an infestation can develop quickly, necessitating professional removal.

How to Get Fleas Out of Carpet Fast?

Baking soda  may be used to quickly remove fleas from the carpet.

To make this flea home remedy work, sprinkle baking soda over your carpets and furniture and scrub it with a brush. After that, thoroughly vacuum your home and put the contents of the vacuum into a bag, which you should throw in an outdoor trash can.

Related: Baking Soda for Flea Control: Does Baking Soda Kill Fleas?

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Carpets? | Home Remedy

Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of their hosts. They have the potential to make the most irritated. To prevent inflicting harm by using toxic chemicals and medicines, you can try to get rid of fleas on your carpet through these three natural methods:

1. Vacuum the carpet. Pay special attention to dark places where fleas can hide, such as under furniture. The fleas in the vacuum bag may escape, so dispose of it right away. 

2. Use Diatomaceous Earth . On the carpet, sprinkle diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a natural insecticide composed of powdered residues of fossilized diatoms, which can be purchased in most health food stores.

3. Flea trap. Fill a bowl with water to make a flea trap. Several drops of dishwashing soap should be added to the water. Then, lay the bowl anywhere on the carpet and install a light source nearby, such as a lamp or a rechargeable light.

At night, turn it on. The light will attract the fleas to come out. They’ll jump up to it and land in the bowl. The dishwashing soap is essential because it prevents wingless animals from escaping.

Related: How To Kill Fleas? Best Flea Killers

Will Alcohol Kill Fleas on Carpet?

Fleas can be killed with rubbing alcohol. But if you’re going to use it, make sure you apply it appropriately. Experts say fleas should be dropped into a glass jar filled with rubbing alcohol because alcohol is highly flammable. Spraying it on your furniture, beds, or carpets is not a good idea.

Prepare a jar with rubbing alcohol and begin vacuuming your carpet. Place the contents of the vacuum cleaner in a jar with rubbing alcohol, which causes the fleas’ bodies to dry up from the inside, resulting in their death. It’s an excellent way to keep fleas from spreading to your area. 

Does Tea Tree Oil Kill Fleas in the Carpet?

Tea tree oil  can be applied on bedding, upholstery, carpets, and other textiles with a few drops. This can also be used to make a homemade flea-repellant spray.

Fill a one-liter spray bottle halfway with water and 20 drops of tea tree oil. Shake thoroughly to combine the oils and water, then spray your carpets, floors, and furniture. 

Does Steam Cleaning Carpets Kill Fleas?

can be a helpful method for managing and getting rid of fleas. Because of the heated vapor, no flea can survive at such a high temperature. Steam cleaning your home isn’t just for removing fleas but also for killing their eggs. 

Does Glade Carpet Powder Kill Fleas?

is a simple flea killer. This powder contains odor neutralizers that eliminate smells. It was also effective for ticks, ants, earwigs, woodlice, and mites.

Will Shampooing Carpet Get Rid of Fleas?

Another effective approach to getting rid of fleas and flea eggs on your carpet is to wash them with shampoo. Fleas will be drowned in the water, and the shampoo will kill fleas. You may also try using dish soap to get rid of them.

How to Kill Fleas on the Carpet With Borax?

Borax  can be used to treat carpets that have been infected by fleas. It is a desiccant, which means it helps to create and maintain a dry environment in the area where it’s used. Borax kills adult fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae by absorbing moisture and killing them.

Follow these instructions to destroy fleas and flea eggs using borax:

Step 1: Sprinkle borax powder on your carpets and in any locations where you have a flea infestation.

Step 2: With a firm house brush or broom, give the carpets a good brushing. This allows the borax powder to penetrate deeper and reach any fleas hiding from your carpet.

Step 3: Vacuum your carpets thoroughly after at least 24-48 hours. The longer, the better. 

Pay particular attention to places where you applied borax. Ensure that the area is not accessible to any dogs or children during this period since it may cause health issues such as skin irritation and other allergies.

How Does Flea Powder Work on Carpets?

Flea powder  is an effective flea killer. It’s easy to brush this into the carpet. As soon as the flea makes encounter with the flea powder, the ingredients cause them to become dehydrated. Before vacuuming the powder, we recommend that you leave it down for at least 1 hour.

How to Get Rid of Flea Eggs on Carpet?

Flea eggs have a thin shell called a “chorion” that is off-white in color and oval in form, similar to a grain of salt. Use these two methods to get rid of flea eggs in the carpet.

1. All Surfaces Should Be Vacuumed

Vacuum your carpets, rugs, soft furniture, and beds thoroughly. Flea eggs can be removed from the carpet by cleaning every other day.

2. Use Essential Oils 

Sprays with peppermint, clover, or citrus oils help kill and repel fleas. Essential oils can also be utilized as a follow-up preventative step for natural fleas control and will also give your home a pleasant odor.

Related: Do Insect Repellents Work on Fleas and Ticks?

How Do Fleas Survive on the Carpet?

Fleas are persistent, and they can survive a cold winter by pupal stage for up to a year. When they detect a possible host, they emerge from their pupae stage. 

Fleas can find a safe place in the shady corners of carpets, rugs, soft pet bedding, upholstered furniture, or cracks in floors. The carpet areas will remain warm and humid, allowing the fleas to continue their life cycle.

A flea can survive on a carpet for two to three months on average. If they have a host, they can stay on the carpet indefinitely without treatment.

Do Cat Fleas Live In Carpets?

Cat fleas may survive on the carpet because it provides warmth. Pets have favorite sleeping or resting areas within the home, like carpet on your home.

Carpets, which are comparable to hair and give warmth, are typically hotspots for flea infestations. Scratching and irritability are among the first indications of a flea infestation in your cat.

Can You Use Flea Spray on the Carpet?

To get rid of any fleas, you can use a spray treatment on the carpet. These treatments penetrate the carpet and kill existing infestations while also helping to prevent future infestations. It’s important to remember that carpet flea treatments may need to remain on the carpet for a few days.

The following are some sprays that you can use:

• Lemon spray: Boil a pint of water with one lemon cut up. Allow for cooling before pouring into a spray bottle and spraying the carpet. Natural oils and a citrus smell naturally deter fleas.

• Vinegar-based spray: This is considered the best flea home spray. In a spray bottle, combine the vinegar and water. Using the vinegar-water solution, spray your carpet. The scent of vinegar can be used to repel fleas.

List of Sources

Questions and Answers About Fleas. (2007). Michigan State University Extension.
Merchant, M., Robinson, J. Controlling Fleas. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Merchant, M. Safer Flea Control. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.