Fleas in the home may live on animals, but they don't always stay there. The eggs can fall off the animal, and you could have an outbreak of fleas anywhere the pet has been. Outbreak is putting it mildly since fleas lay about 50 eggs a day. A flea-infected house needs a thorough cleaning, starting with the pet and its bedding.
Instructions
1. Wash the pet and comb out its hair with a flea comb at least twice a week. Apply a flea shampoo as needed, with a bit of peppermint oil. Rub a little in your hands, then rub it lightly across the animal's fur. Fleas may abandon the animal to avoid the peppermint scent. Wash, dry clean and destroy any bedding.
2. Remove any toys, clothing, and any other item on the floors that fleas can reach. Vacuum every area of the house, including the edges of rooms and under furniture, cushions and throw rugs. Seal the vacuum bag in a garbage bag and throw it in a trash container outdoors.
3. Apply anti-flea insecticides that include permethrin, methoprene or pyripoxyfen. Combined, those ingredients should work against adult fleas, eggs and larvae. Flea insecticide takes hours to settle. No people or pets should be in the house until the treatment dries.
4. Vacuum again if you see more fleas over the next two weeks. Those fleas may have missed the insecticide treatment, but all of them should be gone within a month. If you still have fleas after a month, retreat the pet and the home.
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