How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House

Here's the uncomfortable math: for every flea on your pet, there are usually dozens more as eggs and larvae in your carpets, bedding, and furniture. Kill the ones on the pet without treating the house, and the cycle just restarts.

Start with a deep clean. Wash all pet bedding, blankets, and any fabric your pet touches in hot water and dry on high heat. Vacuum every carpet, rug, and upholstered surface — and do it daily for a couple of weeks, since vacuuming triggers eggs to hatch.

Then treat the environment. A pet-safe household flea spray or fogger that targets eggs and larvae covers what vacuuming misses. Focus on dark, warm spots: under furniture, along baseboards, and in pet sleeping areas.

Combine the home treatment with a flea treatment for your pet and washable pet beds, and you'll break the cycle within a couple of months.

People ask

How long do flea eggs live in carpet? They can hatch for weeks or even months, which is why repeated vacuuming and treatment matter.

Do I need to fog the house? For mild cases, washing and vacuuming may be enough. For a serious infestation, a fogger or spray speeds things up.

Can fleas survive the winter indoors? Yes — indoors, fleas reproduce year-round in warm homes.