How long do fleas survive in the home?
If you have fleas in your home, simply treating your pets is usually not enough. Only 5% of the flea population lives on the animal—the other 95% exists in the environment as eggs, larvae, and pupae.
Fleas lay eggs, which fall to the ground. After 2–10 days, these hatch into larvae, feeding on dust, flea droppings, and other organic material. Eventually, the larvae form pupae, which can survive in a dormant state for months, only hatching when triggered by vibrations and warmth. These newly hatched adult fleas then feed and lay eggs, continuing the cycle. Without a blood meal, adult fleas die within 1–2 weeks. However, the cycle continues as long as eggs, larvae, and pupae remain in the environment.
Under ideal conditions, the flea life cycle can be completed in just 2–3 weeks, leading to a rapid infestation.
To eliminate fleas, you must consistently treat both your pets and the environment for several months. It can take 3–6 months to completely get rid of a flea infestation—prevention is always better than cure!
Where Do Fleas Live in the Home?
It’s not just the fleas themselves, but their eggs, larvae, and pupae that infest your home. These are mainly found in protected areas, such as carpets, cracks, and furniture.
I Don’t Have Pets, But I Have Fleas in My Home—How Is That Possible?
Even without pets, fleas can still enter your home. They can hitch a ride on clothing, shoes, or bags after visiting an infested area, such as a friend’s house with pets or an environment with wild animals (like birds, hedgehogs, or mice).
Fleas can also enter your home through second-hand furniture, rugs, or carpets, or even crawl in through gaps and air vents, especially if rodents or other animals are nearby. Additionally, flea larvae can remain dormant for long periods, only hatching when triggered by heat or movement, such as when you move into a new home or turn on the heating.
How to Get Rid of Fleas in the Home
Do you have fleas in your home and pets? Then it’s essential to treat all pets, not just dogs and cats, but also rabbits, rodents, or birds. Follow the treatment instructions carefully and continue until all fleas are gone.
Once your pets are treated, focus on cleaning the environment:
- Vacuum thoroughly – floors, carpets, furniture, and any cracks where fleas can hide. Immediately empty the vacuum bag into a sealed bag outside, as flea pupae can hatch inside the vacuum.
- Use an environmental flea spray – Choose a spray specifically designed to kill fleas, larvae, and eggs.
- Wash bedding, rugs, and pet beds at minimum 60°C to eliminate eggs and larvae.
Repeat these steps regularly, as flea pupae are difficult to eliminate and can hatch weeks later.
Which Environmental Flea Spray Should You Choose?
When selecting an environmental flea spray, consider active ingredients and safety:
Choose a spray that targets the entire flea life cycle—adults, larvae, and eggs. Ingredients like permethrin or methoprene are effective and long-lasting.
Warning: Permethrin is toxic to cats! Do not use sprays containing permethrin on surfaces your cat frequently touches. If this cannot be avoided, opt for a natural-based flea spray, which is also safer for homes with small children.
Check out our range of flea sprays suitable for households with dogs and cats. (Note: Some sprays can also be applied directly to pets.) Always read the product instructions carefully before use!
Understanding the flea life cycle is crucial—completely eliminating fleas from your home can take weeks to months. If you want to prevent a flea infestation, treat your dog or cat preventively with a flea control product.
Do you have questions about flea control? Contact our veterinary team at [email protected] for advice!
