9 Ways to Get Rid of Fleas in the Home

Seen fleas around the house? If you are looking for simple and effective ways to get rid of fleas in the house, you've come to the right place. Most flea infestations stem from pets, but irritating pests can bite both you and your animals. If your furry friend has fleas, it's likely your home, garden and furniture will be targeted next.

As well as ensuring you comb your dogs and cats with a flea comb regularly, there are plenty of natural ways to help avoid a nasty infestation. Some of the best ways to get rid of fleas at home include cleaning bedding, vacuuming regularly, using flea treatments on pets, and wiping down floors and skirting boards to help destroy fleas at each stage of their lifecycle.

"Many owners only see fleas as being 'a summer thing' and aren't treating their pet for them this time of year. PDSA statistics show that there is a 20% drop in the sale of flea treatments during the winter months," Jamie Walker, an experienced vet and Technical Services Manager at Dechra, says.

"However, with central heating systems typically switched on for a few more weeks, our warm homes become the perfect breeding ground for fleas - their ideal temperature to hatch out is around 21°C.

"Flea eggs can be brought into your home on your cat or dog's coat, and then they can remain undetected for some time."

Fleas are a reddish-brown colour, incredibly thin and have big back legs. They're around an eighth of an inch long, but it's unlikely you'll be able to see them clearly without a microscope.

Adult fleas live on the fur of animals where they will lay their eggs. The average life cycle of a flea is around 100 days, however, they can live indoors for up to a year if the conditions are favourable to them.

They go through four life stages:

1. Egg
2. Larva
3. Pupa
4. Adult

• There are 2,500 species of flea in the world

• According to the BPCA, the most common species of flea in the UK is the Cat flea Ctenocephalides felis

• Fleas are mainly active in communal rooms, places where pets sleep and wherever there is most activity

• You may see fleas jumping on your carpet and furniture, especially if you have an active infestation

• Flea eggs can survive dormant for a long time, sometimes up to 18 months

• You might notice more fleas during the summer months. They prefer temperatures of 21 degrees and above