How To Get Rid Of Fleas ( Latest Update 2026)
Fleas in your home are one of the largest reasons people are put off owning pets. Or, for those who brave ahead, a source of instant panic, when you see your four-legged friend madly scratching behind their ear. Fear sets in. Is it a harmful itch? Are they already completely infested? Am I?
If you’ve started noticing your pet scratching a little more than usual at home, it’s best to start looking at guides on how to get rid of fleas as soon as possible.
Fleas are tiny, harmless-looking biting bugs that can cause what feels like never-ending misery as a result of endless itching, not just for your pets, but for you and others in your household too. The bad news is, that non-pet owners aren’t safe either. We can pick up fleas from rodents, strays and even other people! And how to get rid of them can seem like an impossible task.
How To Get Rid of Fleas
If you’ve found yourself in discomfort a little more than normal, or are noticing small black insects on your skin, hair, sheets, or an increase in agitation from your pets, chances are fleas may be on the loose. It stands to reason that you’ll want to get rid of them as quickly and effectively as possible.
So read over this guide on how to get rid of fleas, whether you’re plagued by 1 or 100. We’ll talk you through 8 strategies to keep them off your skin and out of your home for good. That is, of course, until you seek professional help to eradicate fleas once and for all.
Our top 8 methods to get rid of fleas at home include:
- Treat Your Pets
- Treat Your Home
- Use Flea Sprays & Flea Bombs
- Trim Your Grass & Garden
- Regularly Wash All Bedding
- Use Repellent Secents
- Hire A Steam Cleaner
- Seek Expert Help
How to get rid of fleas – dogs
1. Treat your pets
The first step that you should take before removing fleas from your home is to treat any pets who will be carrying the little critters.
If your pets are the cause of fleas in your home, tackle the source as quickly as possible. A quick trip to the vet will land you with a harmless treatment, oral medication or flea collar. Use this as instructed by your vet, and always stay vigilant for fleas or irritated patches on your pet’s fur. You can use a fine-tooth flea comb to check for eggs and use a flea shampoo to give your pets a good, thorough scrub now and then.
How to get rid of fleas – home
2. Treat your home
Fleas are famous for their ability to jump great distances, so they won’t be put off if they can’t immediately find a furry host to satisfy their cravings. You’ll need to just as effectively treat your home if you don’t want you and your pets to be tomorrow’s dinner for those determined fleas.
Ensure you have a powerful vacuum for pet hair, and run it over all the carpets, surfaces, and hard-to-reach corners. Don’t leave that dust bag lying around either – fleas can lay their eggs in it, so change it to a fresh one immediately. Vacuum regularly to avoid accidentally keeping a flea hotel.
How to get rid of fleas – spray
3. Use flea sprays and flea bombs
Carpets, rugs and furniture can all be treated with flea-repellent sprays to remove and exterminate the issue. You can also use flea foggers or flea bombs for larger areas and to ensure fuller, more extensive coverage. They can leave a nasty aroma or residue however it’s best to use this once when you’ve tackled the source of the problem as a final, comprehensive measure. You’ll want to keep the windows open for a while afterwards!
How to get rid of fleas – garden
4. Trim your grass and garden
Fleas like to hide in dark, sheltered places, so you should concentrate on preventing fleas from staying in your garden. Keep your grass and shrubs well trimmed to make them less appealing for them, and ensure any outdoor pet bedding or furniture is regularly cleaned and washed.
If you’re asking how to get rid of fleas, don’t overlook your garden. Even if your animals don’t spend too much time there, you’ll still find rodents and wild animals passing through who carry fleas that may transfer to your pets, or even straight to you.
How to get rid of fleas – home
5. Regularly wash your bedding
Keeping your laundry items clean is essential if you’re trying to remove fleas from your home. Vacuum your mattress and wash your sheets in hot soapy water to kill the fleas and their eggs.
When you’ve dealt with the infestation, stick to a regular, thorough cleaning routine to keep it from happening again. The same goes for your pet’s bedding too of course. Don’t be afraid to throw out an old pet bed in favour of a clean, new one – sometimes it’s just not worth going through all that trouble only to worry you didn’t get every single spot.
how to get rid of fleas – lavender
6. Use repellent scents
Like most other pests, such as when dealing with possums or removing mosquitos, there are certain scents fleas find very unappealing. Diatomaceous earth (DE) can be used, but be careful when using indoors, and apply to surfaces using a mask and gloves as it can be dangerous to inhale.
Borax is an effective cleaning agent too, but toxic to pets, so make sure they’re in another room when you apply the chemical. Rosemary and lemon are two organic scents that fleas hate, so mix a water-based solution and spray it around the house and over your pet’s toys and bedding to keep them at bay.
How to get rid of fleas – home, furniture
7. Hire a steam cleaner
Steam cleaning your carpets, furniture and bedding is a highly effective way to remove fleas from the home. A combination of water, high heat and soap is a powerful mix, and you’ll get clean surfaces out of it as a bonus too! But be careful to check beforehand that your items won’t be negatively affected when treated with moisture and artificial products.
8. Seek expert help
There’s nothing more frustrating than adopting all these tactics, keeping as close an eye on your pet as you reasonably can, only to see a blissfully ignorant flea hopping around on your sofa looking for its next snack.
Sometimes, the best method is the expert one, and calling in a professional such as a member of our highly-trained team here at Pestline is how you can ensure complete confidence in effective flea infestation removal. We’ll get rid of your fleas so your skin can finally live in peace.
How To Remove Fleas At Home – Pestline is the best
FAQs
How do I get rid of fleas in the house?
Treat your pets first, then the home. Vacuum all carpets, surfaces and hard-to-reach corners, and replace the vacuum bag straight away because fleas can lay eggs in it. Wash bedding in hot soapy water, treat carpets and furniture with flea spray (or a flea bomb for larger areas) and consider steam cleaning. If fleas keep coming back, call a professional.
Can humans get fleas from pets?
Yes. Fleas cause itching for pets and for the people in the household. Non-pet owners can also pick fleas up from rodents, strays and even other people.
What is the best treatment to kill fleas?
Use a combination. Treat your pets with a vet-recommended treatment, then treat the home with vacuuming, hot-water washing, flea spray and steam cleaning. Use a flea bomb once, as a final measure after you’ve tackled the source. For a heavy infestation, a professional treatment gives the most reliable result.
How do I treat my pets for fleas?
Take your pet to the vet for a harmless treatment, oral medication or flea collar, and use it as instructed. Check for fleas and eggs with a fine-tooth flea comb, and give your pet a thorough scrub with flea shampoo now and then.
How do I get rid of fleas in bed?
Vacuum your mattress and wash your sheets in hot soapy water, which kills the fleas and their eggs. Wash your pet’s bedding the same way, or replace an old pet bed with a clean one.
Do natural scents repel fleas?
Rosemary and lemon are two organic scents fleas hate. Mix a water-based solution and spray it around the house and over your pet’s toys and bedding. Diatomaceous earth can also be used, but apply it with a mask and gloves because it’s dangerous to inhale. Borax is toxic to pets, so keep them in another room when you use it.
How do I stop fleas in the garden?
Fleas like dark, sheltered places, so keep grass and shrubs well trimmed. Regularly clean and wash outdoor pet bedding and furniture, because rodents and wild animals passing through can carry fleas to your pets or to you.
When should I call pest control for fleas?
Call if you’ve tried treating your pets, home and garden and still see fleas hopping around. A professional flea infestation removal service gets rid of them so you aren’t relying on repeat DIY treatments.
Can I still cuddle my dog if he has fleas?
Yes, but expect to pick up a few bites. Fleas can jump from your dog onto you, usually biting around the ankles and legs. They don’t live on people and soon return to your pet or your home. Treat your dog, vacuum, and wash bedding in hot soapy water. If your dog is heavily infested, keep close contact to a minimum until treatment has started working.
What time of year is the worst for cat and dog fleas?
Fleas thrive in warm, humid weather, so numbers peak from late spring through summer into early autumn. In Australia they’re a year-round problem, because heated homes keep eggs, larvae and pupae alive through the cooler months. Vets recommend preventative treatment for cats and dogs all year, not just in summer.
Does Drontal get rid of fleas?
No. Drontal is a worm for intestinal worms, including roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm. It doesn’t kill fleas. It can be used alongside a flea treatment, and it’s worth worming after a flea problem because fleas can pass on tapeworm.
Is Milbemax for fleas or worms?
Worms. Milbemax is an intestinal worm and doesn’t prevent or kill fleas. Use a separate flea treatment alongside it, and ask your vet which products are safe to combine.
Why does my cat still have fleas after using Revolution Plus?
It usually doesn’t mean the product has failed. Revolution Plus kills adult fleas on your cat and stops them laying eggs, but eggs, larvae and pupae already in your carpets, floorboards and bedding keep hatching. Fleas can keep emerging for several weeks.
The Final Word
Treating fleas, whether on fur, human skin, or in the home, is a pain. These pests are resilient and they turn up in large numbers. If dealing with them alone feels overwhelming, rest assured that Pestline will be able to take care of the problem for you, professionally and efficiently.
You can contact us online today for a free quote, or give us a call at 0422 154 330 to find out how many interesting flea facts we know (or to book an appointment to get rid of the fleas in your house as fast as possible, we’re happy to do that).
Professional pest control at your fingertips: Pestline is here to help.
Struggling to deal with other bugs and pests in your home? Read our expert advice in our other guides here:
Struggling to get rid of other pests in your home and garden? Have a look at our other guides on pest removal in your house:
Written by Matthew Behman
Matthew Behman is a certified pest control expert in Melbourne with over a decade of experience managing pests in homes, gardens, and commercial properties. Solving common types of problems including spider nests, cockroaches, bed bugs, termites etc. Matthew is committed to delivering affordable and comprehensive pest management services tailored to meet the unique needs of residential and commercial clients.
