Victoria asked 5 years ago
Hello,
My parents who had fleas stayed with me for about 3 weeks – but left a month ago – had fleas but got treated after a groom. 2 nights ago, I found my first little jumping flea which freaked me out considering how clean I am and how often I vacuum. That night, I set up a flea trap (water, dish soap and light) and nothing came up the next morning. Still, I proceeded to launder everything from all my sheets and blankets and curtains in hot water/dryer. I vacuumed everywhere and my pillows (non-removable case), and couches and sprinkled borax where I found the first one. I again set the trap and caught only ONE flea. I have had no bites. I am getting my carpet deep cleaned today. Will this solve my problem? How can I deal with this any further? If I don’t move, say my dresser, but get under my bed steam cleaned, will that be okay, or should I just try and move all my bedroom furniture? Lastly, how likely is it that they are just in my room?
Adam Retzer Staff answered 5 years ago
Victoria,
I am guessing your parents brought an infested pet with them into your home? If so, flea eggs likely fell anywhere the infested animal roamed. Where the pet had access is where you need to focus on your control efforts. You shouldn’t need to move furniture unless the animal got underneath it (flea larvae don’t move far after hatching).
Eggs become adults in 17-26 days. So, that is why you are seeing new fleas now. They are emerging from the environment.
Unfortunately, treating the carpets (or deep cleaning them) probably won’t kill all of the immature fleas there. Flea larvae avoid light upon hatching, and end up in protected micro-habitats where control efforts have a difficult time reaching. Deep cleaning the carpets will kill some, but patience will be required until 100% of them mature into adults, emerge, and die.
Without a pet in your home, the infestation should go away in around 8 weeks. Regularly vacuuming the floors is one of the the best ways to speed up the process.
I hope this helps!
Adam
