You would be surprised, but the infestation of fleas in households is one of the biggest concerns out there. And there is truly nothing more frustrating than getting rid of these annoying little pests.
So if your carpets have been infested with pests and you are wondering, will carpet shampoo kill fleas? Or is there a better way to get rid of fleas from your carpet and your home? Then make sure you read this guide till the end.
What Is The Life Span Of Fleas?
Before we see whether carpet shampoo kills fleas, we must first understand these pesky little creatures’ life span and cycle.
So Fleas are a parasitic pest that loves to feed on domestic pets such as dogs and cats. Fleas only have two goals to feed & to reproduce. Once they enter your home, they keep coming & flood your entire home before you know it.
You will be surprised to know that the ratio of eggs to fleas is actually 1-10. The adult flea population makes up only 5%, and the rest is larvae, eggs, and cocoons.
And not only this, female fleas lay 200-400 eggs at once, and that too in a matter of just a few days.
When your pet moves around the house, they literally sprinkle these eggs everywhere like seeds, and soon you start seeing fleas everywhere, including your own bed.
Why Do Fleas Attack Carpets?
Fleas first find their way to your home through your domestic pets, and human blood is not what lures them. However, they bite humans just like bed bugs and other pests.
Now you might be wondering why do fleas attack carpets if it’s your pet’s blood that they are interested in?
So as stated earlier, fleas live in your pet’s fur and lay eggs that hatch in just a few days.
Now once the eggs are hatched, the female fleas prefer to hide the larvae that emerged from them in a warm place.
The spaces between the carpet fibers are just the perfect gestation destination for these larvae to complete the weeks-long development process. And this is the reason why fleas attack carpets.
Will Carpet Shampoo Kill fleas?
Just imagining your carpets, furniture, and bedding items being attacked by fleas sounds like a complete horror story.
So is there a way to kill these pesky little pests? Will carpet shampoo kill fleas? The answer is a little complicated.
Let me elaborate.
If you want to get rid of the adult fleas in your carpet, then you should start by vacuuming it first.
The suction created by the vacuum would trap the adult fleas that are present in your carpets. This was easy.
However, the main challenge is to get rid of the eggs and larvae.
So how do you get rid of them? Well, shampooing your carpet can kill the fleas to some extent, but it will not help in getting rid of them entirely.
Along with carpet shampooing, you should consider steam cleaning your carpet.
Fleas cannot survive in temperatures more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and steam cleaning uses a lot more temperature than that.
So steam cleaning can help you eliminate an entire colony at once.
You should note, however, that they might also be present in other parts of your home, including your furniture and bedding.
This means that some of them might again find their way to your carpets and attach themselves there.
The key is to repeat the cleaning process a few times in gaps.
How To Inspect Your Home For Fleas?
Steps On How To Eliminate Fleas From Your Carpets
Here is a step-by-step way to eliminate fleas from your carpets:
1. Kill the fleas on your pets first
The very first step in getting rid of fleas from your carpet is to kill the fleas on your pets first. The adult fleas who lay eggs will most likely be present in your pet for their food.
So take your pet to a vet and seek their help to get rid of fleas. You can also use a flea shampoo, powder, and other medications available for pets.
2. Vacumm & Wash
Now vacuum your entire house. Clean away the curtains, furniture, bedding, rugs, carpets, and door mats.
The vacuum will suck in the adult fleas, and water will kill eggs and larvae.
After cleaning, throw the vacuum cleaner bag.
3. Repeat the Process
Eggs that were not killed will hatch in a day or two, so you need to repeat the vacuuming and cleaning process.
I know it is tiring, but it is essential that you do this. Retreat your pet, and clean your home again.
4. Use a Pesticide
If there is a serious flea infestation in your home or carpet, then consider using a pesticide while cleaning.
Go to your local store and get the needed pesticide and use it. Before using a pesticide, make sure you have read the instruction carefully.
Also, keep your pets and children away from the site while using it for cleaning.
5. Steam Cleaning
If the infestation of fleas is not that severe, then you can simply wash your carpet using a steam cleaner.
Steam cleaning will kill the eggs and larvae because of its high temperature. This method will also help you in getting rid of odor from your carpets.
6. Call a Professional
If even after doing everything, you are still not able to get rid of fleas, then it is best you call a carpet cleaning professional who specializes in getting rid of fleas from your carpet or an exterminator.
What To Do If Fleas Attack Again?
Sometimes even after being extra careful, you miss out on a spot, and the result? Fleas, everywhere, again!
While we understand it is not possible to carry out such intense cleaning again and again, you cannot leave the situation at hand.
As such, it is best you call an exterminator or a professional carpet cleaner who deals with getting rid of fleas from your carpets.
Wrapping Up
Getting rid of fleas can be so annoying. But there is only so much that you can do.
Keep your pets clean and avoid exposing them to fleas. If you think your pet might have been exposed to fleas, take them to your local vet and get rid of them as soon as possible.
However, if it’s too late, you can still get rid of the fleas by the method shared above in the guide.
We hope this guide on will carpet shampoo kill fleas was helpful.
FAQ’s
Can Fleas Survive in Carpet For Long?
Fleas not only survive but thrive in carpets. Carpets offer them (the larvae & eggs) a warm and cozy environment that is ideal for them to grow into an adult.
What is the fastest way to eliminate fleas from your carpets?
The fastest way to eliminate fleas from your carpet is by getting help from a professional.
You can hire a professional carpet cleaner or exterminator who has the right equipment and pesticides to get rid of them in no time.
Can I kill fleas by using a hairdryer?
Aiming your hairdryer right at the flea at the highest temperature can kill it. However, this method is not ideal as it is not only time-consuming but inconvenient too.
Can fleas survive in a washing machine?
The chemicals in detergent and water flow together and can help in drowning and killing fleas.
So if you think your bedding may have fleas, you should wash them in your personal washing machine.
Daleyza knows a lot about carpets! She has worked with carpets for over 7 years and can help with things like putting them in, keeping them clean, and replacing them. She really likes carpets and spends most of her time learning about new ways to work with them. When she’s not learning about carpets, she enjoys reading books. She’s really good at helping people choose the right carpet for their homes and making sure they’re happy with it. If you want to know more about carpets, Daleyza is the person to talk to!