Be warned, because this post might give you the heebie-jeebies about carpet fleas.
Fleas in carpets and rugs are probably more common than you’d think. These squatters can invade from a whole host of sources – joyriding on pets, sneaking in from outdoors, or cross contamination from another unknown source. They like to hide and hang out in the dark, cozy spaces between carpet fibers.
We get a lot of calls asking about whether we can remove fleas from carpets. The short answer is no – professional carpet cleaning or area rug cleaning isn’t an effective form of carpet flea treatment. Pests can only be killed by poison, boiling, or freezing, and we won’t do any of those things to your carpet.
However, we can help you tackle your flea problem in a few different ways. Read on to learn more about getting rid of fleas in the carpet.
How can you spot fleas in a carpet?
Carpet fleas look like small dark specks that move – they’re typically brown, black, and red, less than 1/8-inch long, with six little legs.
They typically live on pets (because that’s how they get their food) but also like to hide and hang out in dark cozy spaces (like the area between carpet fibers).
Fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day, which hatch in about 2-3 days. And the cycle repeats. After just a few days, that can equal a few thousand pests loose in your home.
Getting rid of fleas in the carpet
If you find fleas in your carpet, the first thing you should not do is call us. While we can help you later down the line, there are a few key steps you’ll need to go through first:
1. Check your pets
If you have pets, check their fur for signs of fleas. Chances are, you’ll find them – then it’s time to contact your vet and find the best source of treatment (typically an anti-pest shampoo).
2. Check your home
If you were a flea, where would you be hiding? Work out the extent of the damage and go through all the typical areas in your home where you’d expect to find fleas – think areas with soft furnishings, like carpets, sofas, curtains, and wardrobes.
3. Call the exterminator
If there’s fleas in your carpet, you’re at a point where only an exterminator will be able to help you rid your home of the problem. They can get into hard-to-reach areas and advise you on the best course of action going forward.
4. Vacuum and clean
While you won’t be able to conquer carpet fleas yourself, there are a few ways you can get ahead of the infestation through a combination of vacuuming, water, and heat.
Start by vacuuming very thoroughly – this will not kill the fleas, but will help to remove them from the carpet:
- Dispose of the dirt in your vacuum in a contained garbage bin outside of your house
- Disinfect your vacuum cleaner dirt trap and pieces
Next, wash everything you can with hot water – pet bedding, human bedding, sofa and chair covers, curtains, and so on.
5. Exterminate – and then call us
Let the exterminator come in and do their thing. When your home is flea-free, we’ll be there to put it all back together. Our pros will remove dead bug carcasses from your carpet and upholstery along with any poison residue that’s left from the extermination.
Why carpet cleaning isn’t the right way to treat carpet fleas
Despite what the internet might tell you, we don’t believe in deep cleaning as the best form of carpet flea treatment.
Let us put it to you this way: how would you feel if a team showed up at your house, having previously been in a place that was full of fleas?
Cross contamination is a huge concern. Fleas are clever, tiny, and have a reputation for wanderlust – it’s easy for them to hop from spot to spot, which means that they can find a way from a carpet onto our equipment and into another home.
Plus, nothing in our carpet cleaning process will effectively get rid of a carpet flea infestation. Sure, deep cleaning and hot water extraction can kill adult fleas – but it doesn’t always eliminate larvae and eggs. And we can’t get to all the other areas in your home that fleas may be living, such as pet bedding, closets, and other soft furnishings.
That’s why we can’t visit a home until an exterminator has done their thing and the pest problem has been resolved.
When to call the carpet cleaners
After the exterminator has addressed the flea fiasco, we’ll be right behind to refresh your space and restore tranquility.
Our planet-friendly hot water extraction service is proven to eliminate odours, tackle dust and allergens, and leave your carpets looking beautiful. This is how we’ll clear out dead bug carcasses and leftover poison from the exterminator’s carpet flea treatment:
- Pre-inspection: We’ll assess your floors and note down any stains, spills, odors, or high-traffic areas
- Small item removal: We’ll move any small items out of the way
- Pre-treatment: We’ll use all natural detergent to prep your carpets for cleaning
- Clean and rinse: We’ll perform hot water extraction using our eco-efficient equipment
- Final grooming and inspection: We’ll finish off with a final comb over and check to make sure you’re satisfied with your like-new carpets
When you’re ready for us, we’ll be there. Whether you have questions about fleas in your carpets or you’re ready to book a cleaning, our customer service team is here to help. Reach out for a free quote today.
