If you’ve noticed your pet scratching relentlessly, biting at their fur, or acting restless, fleas are often the culprit. These tiny, fast-moving parasites are a common nuisance for pet owners, especially in warmer months when they thrive. But what many people don’t realise is that flea infestations often start long before you even notice them — and once they’ve spread inside your home, they can be difficult to eliminate.
Understanding why your pets get fleas and how to effectively get rid of them in your house is essential for keeping both your furry friends and your household comfortable and pest-free.
Why Do Pets Get Fleas?
Fleas don’t appear out of nowhere — they spread from existing infestations in the environment. Pets can pick them up almost anywhere, especially in places where other animals frequent. Here are the most common reasons your pets end up with fleas:
1. Contact with Other Animals
The most direct way for pets to get fleas is through contact with infested animals. Dogs and cats can catch fleas from other pets during walks, visits to the park, or even from wildlife like possums, rats, and stray cats that pass through your yard. Fleas are expert jumpers and can leap from one host to another with ease.
2. Infested Outdoor Environments
Fleas can survive in outdoor areas for weeks without a host. If your backyard or garden provides the right conditions — shady spots, tall grass, or moist soil — flea eggs, larvae, and pupae can remain dormant until a warm-blooded animal walks by. Once your pet passes through, adult fleas will quickly jump on board.
3. Flea Eggs Inside the Home
Even if your pet doesn’t go outdoors much, fleas can still be brought inside. Flea eggs can cling to clothing, shoes, or be carried in by other animals. Once inside, they fall off onto carpets, bedding, and upholstery, where they eventually hatch into larvae and grow into adults ready to bite again.
4. Warm Weather and Humidity
Fleas thrive in warm and humid conditions, which is why infestations are more common during spring and summer in Australia. However, indoor heating and insulated homes allow fleas to survive all year round, making it possible for infestations to persist even in cooler months.
5. Lack of Preventive Treatment
Many pet owners unknowingly invite infestations by skipping regular flea treatments. Flea prevention products—such as topical solutions, oral tablets, or collars—help stop the flea life cycle before it begins. Without them, your pet becomes an easy target for fleas looking for a host.
How to Tell If Your Pet Has Fleas
Because fleas are so small (only about 2–3 mm long), it can be tricky to spot them directly. Here are some telltale signs your pet may have fleas:
- Frequent scratching or biting at their fur, especially around the tail, belly, and neck
- Small red bumps or scabs on the skin from flea bites
- Flea dirt (black specks) visible on the skin or bedding (this is flea faeces, made of digested blood)
- Restless behaviour, such as your pet constantly grooming or shaking
- Hair loss in certain areas from excessive scratching
To confirm, try using a flea comb and brush through your pet’s fur over a white towel or paper. If you see black specks that turn reddish-brown when wet, it’s likely flea dirt.
The Flea Life Cycle: Why They’re So Hard to Eliminate
Before tackling an infestation, it’s important to understand why fleas can be so persistent. A flea’s life cycle has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
- Eggs: After feeding, adult fleas lay eggs on your pet — up to 50 eggs a day. These eggs fall off onto carpets, bedding, and furniture.
- Larvae: The eggs hatch into larvae within a few days. They feed on organic debris and flea dirt.
- Pupae: The larvae spin cocoons and enter the pupal stage, where they can remain dormant for weeks or even months.
- Adults: When they sense vibrations or heat (a sign of a nearby host), adult fleas emerge from their cocoons and jump onto pets or people.
Because of this life cycle, simply treating your pet isn’t enough. Eggs and pupae hidden in carpets or furniture can hatch later, restarting the infestation. This is why a complete home treatment plan is crucial.
How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your House
If your pet has fleas, your home likely does too. Fleas can live and reproduce in carpets, rugs, and furniture — even after the adult fleas on your pet are gone. Here’s a step-by-step guide to eliminating fleas from your home.
1. Treat Your Pets First
Start with your pets. Use veterinarian-approved flea treatments such as:
- Topical spot-on treatments
- Oral flea control tablets
- Flea collars
Follow the dosage instructions carefully and treat all pets in the household, not just the ones showing symptoms. Continue treatment regularly as recommended by your vet to prevent re-infestation.
2. Wash Bedding and Fabrics
Fleas and their eggs can hide in your pet’s bedding, blankets, and even your own sheets. Wash all washable fabrics in hot water (at least 60°C) and dry them on high heat to kill fleas and larvae. This includes:
- Pet beds and blankets
- Cushion covers and throw rugs
- Human bedding if pets sleep on the bed
3. Vacuum Thoroughly and Frequently
Vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to remove fleas, eggs, and larvae from your home. Focus on:
- Carpets and rugs
- Upholstered furniture
- Baseboards and corners
- Under beds and furniture
After each vacuum session, empty the vacuum bag or canister immediately and dispose of the contents in a sealed plastic bag outside. Flea eggs and larvae can survive inside the vacuum if not handled properly.
4. Use Flea Sprays or Powders
Flea control sprays or powders can be applied to carpets, furniture, and pet resting areas. Choose an insect growth regulator (IGR) product — these prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing into adults. Always follow label directions and ensure proper ventilation when using chemical treatments indoors.
5. Steam Clean Carpets and Upholstery
Steam cleaning is another excellent method because fleas cannot survive high heat. The steam penetrates carpet fibres and upholstery, killing adults, larvae, and eggs on contact. For severe infestations, professional steam cleaning is worth the investment.
6. Treat Outdoor Areas
If your pets spend time outside, treating your yard is just as important as treating your home. Focus on shady, damp areas where fleas like to hide, such as:
- Under decks or patios
- Beneath trees or bushes
- Around dog houses or kennels
Use outdoor flea control sprays or granules formulated for lawns and gardens. Keep your grass trimmed short and remove leaf litter where fleas may thrive.
7. Repeat and Maintain Regular Cleaning
Because of the flea life cycle, a single cleaning or treatment won’t eliminate the problem. Continue vacuuming daily for at least two weeks and repeat treatments as directed. Ongoing prevention and hygiene are key to keeping fleas out for good.
How to Prevent Fleas from Coming Back
Once you’ve dealt with an infestation, prevention is essential to avoid going through it again. Here’s how to keep your pets and home flea-free long-term:
• Maintain Regular Flea Treatments
Use monthly flea prevention on your pets year-round, even during cooler months. Skipping treatments can give fleas an opportunity to reinfest.
• Keep Your Home Clean
Vacuum frequently and wash pet bedding regularly. Cleanliness reduces hiding spots and removes flea eggs before they hatch.
• Groom and Inspect Your Pets
Brush and bathe your pets regularly, and check their fur for signs of fleas or flea dirt. Early detection can stop infestations before they spread.
• Control Wildlife Around Your Property
Block access points for stray animals, possums, and rodents that may carry fleas into your yard. Seal garbage bins and keep pet food stored securely indoors.
• Schedule Regular Pest Control
Professional pest control is often the best long-term defence against fleas. Experts use specialised treatments that target all stages of the flea life cycle, ensuring your home remains pest-free.
When to Call in the Professionals
If you’ve tried multiple treatments and fleas keep coming back, it’s time to call in a professional pest control company. Fleas can be incredibly resilient — especially if their eggs and larvae are hidden deep within carpets or floorboards.
Professional pest controllers have access to industrial-grade insecticides and targeted treatment plans that are far more effective than over-the-counter sprays. They can identify the source of the infestation and treat both indoor and outdoor areas safely and efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Fleas are one of the most common and frustrating pests faced by pet owners. They spread quickly, bite painfully, and can infest every corner of your home if left untreated. Understanding how your pets get fleas — and taking prompt, comprehensive action — is the best way to protect your household.
Regular pet care, good hygiene, and professional pest control together form a powerful defence against fleas. If you’re dealing with a stubborn infestation or want to prevent one in the future, contact Pest Control Brisbane.com for expert flea control and prevention solutions. Their team can help you reclaim your home and keep your pets comfortable, happy, and flea-free.
