How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House

If you've ever dealt with pesky critters—be it ants, rodents or any other kind of creepy crawlers—you know it's a pain. And fleas are just as maddening to getting rid of as other pests. But luckily, we've got all the info you need to get your household from scratchy to serene in (almost) no time at all.

What causes fleas?

Adult female fleas are capable of laying as many as 50 eggs per day (yes, per day!), and live up to 100 days in out-of-the-way places that skew the odds of survival in fleas’ favor. The most common source of fleas is animals. Keep an eye out on your own pets but also watch out for neighborhood dogs, strays, and feral animals who come by for a yard visit.

Fleas love warm, humid, climates that are out of direct sunlight and relatively undisturbed. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay special attention to shaded areas of the yard or house, crawl spaces, or dog houses and other animal enclosures—all the areas where fleas are at their happiest and most likely to reproduce.

How to spot fleas

If you’ve spotted one or two fleas, chances are there are more. (Statistics say that for every flea you lay eyes on, there could be 99 others lurking in the shadows. Yikes!) Look closely at pet bedding, carpets, furniture bases, and any dark, hidden low-traffic areas that may be often overlooked.

Keep your eyes peeled for small dark spots known as “flea dirt,” a mixture of blood and feces (yuck!) that is often more visible than the fleas themselves. Flea larvae actually use this “dirt” as a food source, so anything you spot should definitely cause concern. This likely sounds alarming, but in most cases, a thorough deep clean routine can eradicate the problem in anywhere from 10 days to one month.