How to Get Rid of Fleas

Updated 2026-06-07

Fleas are frustrating because only about 5% of an infestation is the adult fleas you see on your pet — the rest (eggs, larvae and pupae) are in your carpets, bedding and furniture. So treating the pet alone never works. You have to hit both at once: treat the animal AND break the life cycle in the home, then keep at it for a few weeks until the protected pupae have all hatched.

1. Treat your pet first

The pet is the source, so start there with a vet-recommended flea treatment (collar or topical). Talk to your vet about the right product for your animal — this step is non-negotiable, because an untreated pet keeps re-seeding the home.

2. Wash and vacuum everything

Wash all pet bedding on hot, and vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture and floor cracks daily at first — the vibration even helps trigger protected pupae to hatch so treatment can reach them. Empty or bag the vacuum contents each time so fleas don’t crawl back out.

3. Treat the home with an IGR

A home flea spray or fogger that contains an insect growth regulator (IGR) stops eggs and larvae from developing — the step that actually ends the cycle, rather than just killing the adults you can see.

4. Treat the yard hotspots

Outdoors, fleas concentrate in shady, moist areas where pets rest — under decks, porches and bushes. Treat those spots; open, sunny lawn rarely harbors fleas.

5. Keep going for a few weeks

Pupae are protected in their cocoons and hatch over time, so you’ll likely still see some fleas for two to three weeks even when you’re doing everything right. Stay consistent with vacuuming and treatment — that’s what wins.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do I still see fleas after treating my pet?

Because most of the infestation (eggs, larvae, pupae) is in your home, not on the pet. You have to treat the carpets and bedding with an IGR and vacuum repeatedly, and expect newly-hatched fleas for a couple of weeks.

How long does it take to get rid of fleas?

Usually three to six weeks. The protected pupae stage hatches over time, so consistency — repeated vacuuming and home treatment — is what finishes the job.

Do flea foggers work?

They can help if they contain an IGR, but only as part of the plan — you still have to treat the pet and vacuum/wash, and foggers don’t reach under furniture where larvae hide.

Can fleas live in my house without pets?

Yes, for a while — they can persist in carpeting and bite people, especially after a pet has left or in a previously infested home. The same wash/vacuum/IGR plan applies.