How to quickly get rid of fleas in an apartment: proven methods

Using bleach for fleas. Fighting parasites at home. What effect does bleach have on fleas? Are parasites afraid of the smell of bleach? How to carry out treatment in residential premises. What determines the effectiveness of this method? Security measures.

Flea infestation in residential areas is a fairly serious problem that needs to be solved as quickly as possible. After all, parasites multiply very quickly and after a short period of time a huge colony will live in the apartment, which is quite difficult to cope with. These small bloodsuckers inflict painful bites, after which the affected areas itch very much, in addition, infection with various infections is possible.

Now there is a large selection of specialized means for combating parasites, but many prefer to use traditional methods, one of which is bleach for fleas. Let’s look at this method in more detail and find out whether it can cope with parasites.

Types of fleas and their habitats in the apartment

We hasten to disappoint those who think that all fleas are the same: there are more than 2 thousand species of these parasites. Representatives of approximately 30 species can become “guests” of houses and apartments. The most common are:

Human (a parasite that is dangerous for all mammals and is particularly fertile).
Canines and cats (migrate to animals, feeding on their blood).
Rat and mouse (they get into the apartment if rodents have settled in basements and attics).
Field, or herbal (carried by animals on their fur).
Earth or basement (they live on the floor, under baseboards, in carpets, they love dust).
Woody black ones (appear in the apartment after people visit dachas and garden plots).
Sandy (representatives of the streets, but you can very rarely meet them at home).

A person can be bitten by any of these fleas. For active life, they all need blood and it doesn’t matter who will be the “breadwinner” - pets or people. At the same time, vampire insects do not settle on humans, on objects with a smooth surface, on bare floors or linoleum. They prefer:

Stuffed Toys.
Fleecy floor coverings.
Pet bedding.
Gaps under baseboards, parquet flooring and cracks in walls.
Boxes with old things.
Garbage bin and surrounding area.
A kitchen sink, near which there is almost always high humidity.
Closets with clothes and blankets.
Upholstered furniture and mattresses.

Advice! You can determine that there are fleas in an apartment by a number of external signs:
Size – from 1 to 5 mm.
Color ranges from golden-wheat to brown-black.
The body is vertically flattened.
The insect is difficult to catch due to sudden high jumps

If a pet lives in an apartment, then the likelihood of fleas is very high. But regular preventive actions can successfully resist the appearance of insects. If bite marks characteristic of these bloodsuckers appear on the legs or other parts of a person’s body, it is worth checking again for the presence of parasites in the house. You can do this in several ways:

White surfaces . Place several sheets of white paper or spread a white cloth on the floor, near a cabinet, sofa or other upholstered furniture. If there are fleas in the apartment, after some time black dots will appear on light-colored surfaces.
Damp cloth . Take a damp cloth, wipe the floor or walk over the carpet with it, and then place it in a container of clean water. If the liquid turns pale pink, then it is quite possible that there are bloodsuckers in the apartment, and the water has been colored by their feces.
Double-sided tape . Attach adhesive tape to the places most popular with fleas: doorways, baseboards, window sills and thresholds. If there are insects in the room, after 2-3 days they can be found on the tape.
Bright light . Fill a small container with soap solution, into which place several (3-4) floating candles. Apartment fleas (if any) will jump towards bright light, and in the morning a considerable number of them can be found in the liquid. Using the same principle, a lamp, a night light, and even a TV are used instead of candles. True, you will have to leave it on overnight (just turn off the sound), and place a baking sheet or bowl filled with water in front of it.
Liquid honey . This method of detecting insects is quite common. Small pieces of cardboard or flat dishes are coated with a layer of sweet, sticky treats and placed in areas where fleas are likely to accumulate.

Are cockroaches afraid of “Whiteness”, ammonia, bleach and other chemicals?

Cockroaches are afraid of bleach, ammonia, vinegar, ammonia and other chemicals. This is due to the fact that cockroaches have a keen sense of smell. All these substances have a pungent odor that will scare them away, but will not kill them. If you sprinkle bleach on an insect, it will die (it has no effect on eggs), but a Prussian will not go to certain death on its own if the substance is scattered in heaps on the floor. The activity of pests will decrease if ammonia, bleach or “White” are added to the water for washing the floor, but until the smell disappears.

Pests are also frightened by the smell of gasoline and kerosene, but hardly anyone will dare to use flammable liquids in the apartment. What smell cockroaches don’t like are sharp, unpleasant aromas. This is what repels the cockroaches and makes them go away, at least for a while.

How dangerous are fleas for humans?

The appearance of blood-sucking insects should be taken very seriously. The fact is that fleas feed on blood. The supplier of “food” can be not only dogs, cats, birds, rodents, but also people. What is the danger of bites from these parasites for humans?

First of all, these are unpleasant painful sensations, itching, redness of the skin.
An allergic reaction to the bite, a significant increase in temperature and swelling at the wound site are possible.
Fleas can be carriers of infections such as hepatitis B and C, typhus, encephalitis and other serious diseases.
There is always a risk of infection with various types of worms, salmonellosis, nematodes or various fungal infections.
You can expect very big troubles from rat fleas, which include pseudotuberculosis, melioidosis, myxomatosis, etc.
In addition, constantly thinking about insects and expecting bites can turn into a phobia or cause a nervous breakdown.

Important! If fleas are found in an apartment, you must immediately begin to destroy them, without wasting a minute of precious time, since female insects reproduce at an incredible speed. During her short life, the female lays up to 500 eggs, which become full-fledged bloodsuckers in less than a month.

Are they afraid of the smell?

Answering the question whether fleas are afraid of the smell of bleach, it is worth noting that bloodsuckers have an excellent sense of smell. The product blocks the nervous system of the parasite, paralyzing it, so whiteness and fleas are incompatible.

With weak disinfection, bloodsuckers can leave the premises and find new housing, but if the work is taken seriously, then most of the individuals will die on the spot without having time to escape.

How to prepare an apartment for disinfestation (destruction of fleas)

Before you start killing fleas, you need to properly prepare your apartment. The effectiveness of disinfestation will depend on the actions taken.

And you need to do the following:

Wash bed linen and put away.
Place food in well-closed cabinets or refrigerators.
Clean all upholstered furniture with detergent.
Cover household appliances and flowers with film.
Vacuum carpets.
Carry out a thorough wet cleaning.
If you have pets, temporarily find them another place to stay, and treat their belongings at high temperatures or dispose of them.

After the preparatory work has been completed, you can safely begin processing the room.

Wormwood

Wormwood owes its insecticidal properties to its specific odor, which insects cannot tolerate. In ancient times, our ancestors hung bunches of wormwood in the barn where the cattle lived to repel insects. The same bunches were hung in houses.

Wormwood is an easily accessible remedy even for residents of large cities. It can be purchased at the pharmacy in the form of crushed dry raw materials or ready-made tincture. Wormwood is used in different ways. Fresh or dried plants are formed into small bunches that are hung in the apartment. You can also chop the plants and sprinkle them in areas where fleas live.

Another method involves preparing a water infusion based on wormwood, which can be sprayed indoors using a spray or added to a soap solution for wet cleaning.

Recipe for wormwood infusion: you need to take 20 g of dry wormwood leaves or 40 g of fresh plants and boil them in two glasses of water. When the broth has cooled, it can be used both for wiping the animal’s fur and for treating the room. This product is even suitable for treating small kittens, puppies and pregnant females.

Wormwood is an excellent remedy against fleas in the house

Ways to control fleas

Since when fleas enter an apartment, they immediately occupy all areas and quickly find the most comfortable, but secluded or hard-to-reach places, it can be quite difficult to get them out. You can get rid of insects that have settled in furniture upholstery, thick pile of carpets or under baseboards using special preparations offered by the industry and homemade products . To choose the most suitable disinfestation method for a particular situation, it is worth learning more about them.

Repellent scents

The peculiarity of fleas is their high sensitivity to aromas, since they, however, like all insects that feed on blood, have a heightened sense of smell. They are frightened by both chemical odors and natural ones. However, some of the substances emit a “scent” that is extremely unpleasant for humans, so fighting fleas in this way remains a last resort when there is no other way out. Such chemicals include: gasoline, kerosene (since ancient times it has been used as a pest control agent), chloroform, vinegar, alcohol. What fleas are afraid of in an apartment is construction work. It is safe to make repairs, since insects flee from an apartment that smells of paint, varnish, cement, putty and some other building materials based on organic solvents.

It is most convenient to use natural scents to repel fleas; in addition, you have the opportunity to choose a scent that is pleasant to all family members and even creates an atmosphere of comfort in the apartment. There are folk remedies that fleas cannot stand - these are strong-smelling plants - eucalyptus, tansy, lavender, geranium, conifers, mint and others. The most “intimidating” herbs are tansy and wormwood. But you need to create a very thick smell, that is, scatter or hang whole bunches of fresh grass. A hungry flea is unlikely to be frightened by any plant, so this measure is temporary. In addition to fresh herbs, you can use essential oils or fumigators.

Chemical method

Since you cannot offer fleas poisoned bait or set a trap, the following means are used to combat them:

Aerosols

Today, modern synthetic drugs are relevant, which are quite effective, affordable and safe for humans and pets. We are talking about aerosol sprays. The algorithm for working with them is simple:

spray the product around the apartment, in hard-to-reach places, behind and under cabinets, on shelves, on the floor, in the kitchen under the sink, behind beds, etc.
Close the room hermetically so as not to weaken the effect of the spray.
ventilate the room for the time recommended by the manufacturer.
carry out wet cleaning, and wash treated items and toys in hot water.

Aerosols that have already been tested by users and have many positive reviews deserve special attention:

The well-known “Dichlorvos”, even with the prefixes “Ultra”, “Neo”, “Varan A” or “TM”, is a universal remedy against crawling, flying and jumping insects.
"Raid" is well known in many countries. With a large assortment of products from different directions, “Reid against cockroaches and ants” demonstrates excellent results.
"Raptor" is a popular product because it is non-toxic, odorless and gives excellent results.
“Aerosol against ants and other insects Dr. Klaus" is used to kill fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches, ants and other crawling insects. The advantages of the drug include affordable cost and considerable volume. Treatment with the drug is carried out several times.
“Combat Super Spray” destroys a wide variety of insects: fleas, skin beetles, ants, spiders, bedbugs, moths and their larvae. The action of synthetic components has earned many praises from users.
“Clean House” is distinguished by the fast speed of flea destruction and is relevant for complex treatment of an apartment.
Spray "Delicia Contra Insect" affects and leads to the death of insects of various species, meets the stringent requirements of all standards. Be sure to ensure that the drug does not come into contact with the skin of pets.
“Delicia” is a universal aerosol, easy to use, and leads to the death of not only adult bloodsuckers, but also their larvae.

Solutions

High concentration insecticides repel and completely kill insects. A person needs to work with them very carefully:

dilute with water according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
using a sprayer, treat the apartment: carpets, paths, beds, upholstered furniture, baseboards, areas behind cabinets, etc.
withstand the required amount of time (the exact figure is indicated in the instructions).
carry out wet cleaning and thoroughly ventilate the room.

Important! The drugs pose a danger to people and animals, so it is better for them to remain outside for some time. It is recommended to carry out processing in a respirator, safety glasses and gloves.

The most effective drugs include:

“Get Total” is a new offer - an emulsion with microcapsules filled with the active substance. The drug is active for up to six months and destroys both adults and eggs.
“Executioner” is a fairly popular remedy due to its effectiveness, low toxicity and speed of action.
"Tsifoks" - has a wide spectrum of action, is active, insects die after 20-30 minutes. after processing.
“Ziper” has a characteristic pungent odor, is active, and does not cause addiction to insects.
“Yurax” actively fights any parasitic insects, paralyzes and kills them.
The list can be continued by such effective water-soluble drugs as: “Cucaracha”, “Medilis”, “Zone”, “Zone Delta”, “Get”, “Tetrix”, etc.

Powders, granules and crayons

Powdered insecticides are drugs of contact action, not intestinal ones. The flea's mouthparts are of a piercing-sucking type and are designed in such a way that the insect can only pierce the skin of an animal or person and drink blood. Therefore, “apartment vampires” cannot use some drugs. Powdered means of killing fleas occupy a worthy place among effective insecticides and have a number of undeniable advantages:

completely ready to use.
last a long time.
easy to use and affordable.

If the choice fell on powders or granules, it is enough to scatter them in places where insects are “dislocated” and clutches with eggs and larvae are found. Among the various drugs, it is worth paying attention to the following:

"Pyrethrum". The basis of the product is Persian (Dalmatian) chamomile extract. The powder is highly effective.
"Ecokiller". The product contains tiny particles of diatomite (rock), which serve as an abrasive. After the drug gets on a flea, the latter dies from desiccation.
"Face-double" and "Phenaxin". Powders belong to a number of universal products with two active ingredients. Packaged in easy-to-use pollinator bags.
“Clean House”, “Tornado Dust”, “Absolute Dust”. These are moderately toxic dusts, but very effective. The main thing when using is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Crayons “Mashenka” and “Titanic”. Fleas come into contact with the drugs applied to the surface and die after some time, but manage to carry the poison on their paws and to their “relatives”.

Smoke bombs

New developments make it possible to quickly influence insect pests and destroy them. The principle of action of the drugs is quite simple: after ignition, smoke is released abundantly from the bomb, which fills the entire room and penetrates into the most inaccessible places. The chemical used in the bomb has a nerve-paralytic effect on fleas and kills them. Following the instructions, people and pets must leave the premises while disinfestation is being carried out. But things and furniture will not only not be damaged, but will also be treated, because parasites can also hide in them. Well-proven devices:

"Quiet evening".
"Samuro."
"City".

Application of whiteness

This is a fairly popular remedy because it is inexpensive but provides effectiveness. But when using it, you need to remember that whiteness when applied to colored fabric will spoil it, in addition, it can affect the appearance of some surfaces.

It is not used in its pure form. It is necessary to prepare a solution; add 10 liters of water per 1 liter of product. Next, general cleaning is carried out using this solution.

Thermal

The most interesting thing is that these are two fairly effective and efficient ways to get rid of fleas in an apartment. The problem lies in the seasonality of the work and the creation of the necessary temperature conditions.

Freezing

The method is applicable in winter, because fleas are afraid of low temperatures. It is generally accepted that the most acceptable temperature for the death of insects is from – 23 °C to – 25 °C. The fact is that at minus 10 degrees the ability of parasites to reproduce is sharply reduced, and at -15 °C the larvae will also die. Therefore, the first stage will be long-term ventilation of the room for 2-3 hours, and the second stage will be general cleaning. When “freezing out” the apartment, it doesn’t hurt to take carpets, mattresses, pillows and blankets outside, beat them thoroughly or shake them out and leave them in the cold for a while.

Heat

Just as fleas cannot tolerate frosty air, they are afraid of high temperatures and bright rays of the sun. We are talking about + 45 °C - + 50 °C. To destroy parasitic insects, it is necessary to maintain the indicated temperature for at least 25 minutes. To obtain the desired result at home, it is best to use an iron that has a steam function, or a steam generator. Instant death of the small bloodsucker occurs at plus 70 degrees.

Extreme temperatures, sun and water

Fleas can live and develop normally only within certain limits of physical environmental conditions, beyond which they carefully avoid.
For example, fleas are afraid of the cold. For most types of fleas found in apartments (this primarily includes cat, dog, rat and human fleas), temperatures around -15°C are already uncomfortable; at -10°C they stop reproducing.

Accordingly, fleas are no less afraid of frost and cold in general than they are of toxic substances. Therefore, in winter it is useful to regularly freeze out flea-infested areas. This is especially true for chicken coops and barns.

Fleas are also afraid of too high temperatures. At +45°C, cat and rat fleas begin to die. Therefore, for example, when killing bedbugs using industrial fan heaters, fleas also die.

It is also useful to consider that fleas are afraid of water. When bathing cats and dogs infected with fleas, most of the parasites try to get out of the fur and not get into the water, so if emergency flea baiting is not possible, regular bathing can significantly alleviate the suffering of an infected pet.

Also, fleas do not like direct sunlight and, once in a well-lit place, they try to get away from it as quickly as possible.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for parasitic insects are the experience of generations, folk wisdom and knowledge. After all, today not everyone knows the properties or even the smell of this or that plant, the great capabilities of kerosene, or what “tar” is. But all this works. Of course, such methods are good as a preventive measure or when the number of “little vampires” has not become a natural disaster. The methods are safe for adults, children and allergy sufferers, so they can be safely used to combat jumping parasites.

Soda and salt

They are excellent desiccant absorbers. A mixture of these substances can simply be poured onto the carpet, then their crystals, when rubbed, will destroy the insect's shell, get inside and dry out the parasite, leading to its death.

Mix salt and soda in equal quantities (200 g each), place in a container (you can just use a glass jar) and add 2 liters of water. Mix everything well and leave for several hours (10-12), then the product can be applied to the carpet and left overnight. A dry mixture of soda and salt (1:1) is used in almost the same way: mix, rub into the coating, leave for 8 hours, vacuum thoroughly.

Diatomite (mountain flour)

It is also successful in the fight against bloodsuckers. The advantage of the powder is that it is safe for pets.

Vinegar in mixtures

The most common two options are:

Mix vinegar and camphor alcohol in a 1:1 ratio. Treat floors, baseboards, cracks and floor coverings with the composition.
A mixture of vinegar (3%), camphor alcohol and floral cologne is suitable for treating carpets, baseboards, and cracks in the floor.

Ammonia

Thanks to its pungent, pungent odor, it is able to actively destroy parasitic insects. In undiluted form, just drop a few drops behind the baseboards or in the cracks. To treat floors, walls and furniture, you need to prepare a solution of warm water (5 l) and ammonia (25 drops), which must be handled very carefully, since alcohol vapors are toxic.

Borax powder

Can be used as a stand-alone product or as a mixture with water. Apply the composition to the surface of carpets, paths or rugs and leave overnight. In the morning, vacuum the treated items well.

Bleaching

Bleach in different types (the best option is “White”) is perfect for treating the floor. To improve the effect, it is worth adding a few drops of ammonia, in which case the pungent odor will drive out fleas, and the alkali will destroy them.

Boric acid

Causes dehydration of insects and their subsequent death. The powder is evenly distributed over the surface of rugs and carpets, left for 48 hours, after which it is removed with a vacuum cleaner. Interestingly, boric acid actively kills flea larvae.

Kerosene

You can find different options for using kerosene in the fight against fleas:

First. Dilute 100 ml of kerosene in a bucket of water, then apply the mixture to the carpets, close all doors, leave the apartment, and wait a few hours. Upon returning home, it is necessary to wet-clean the carpets to get rid of flea corpses.

Second. Purified kerosene is used to prepare an emulsion, with which you can destroy not only adult insects, but also larvae. For preparation:

40 g of washing soap (brown) is dissolved in 200 ml of hot water,
the resulting solution is poured into a container and 1 liter of kerosene is added in small portions,
mix everything thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous mass,
the finished emulsion is mixed with 10 liters of water and the flea control product is ready.

Tar soap

It needs to be crushed (you can grate it), add it to warm water and make a soap solution, which needs to be used to treat furniture, wash panels, window sills and floors. To improve the effect, grate the soap on a grater with large holes, pour it into mesh bags, which are placed on the floor, behind furniture and in other “vulnerable” places.

Pine sawdust

They have a pungent odor that repels fleas. They must be left until the morning, scattered on the floor, and to maintain a constant aroma, they must be regularly sprayed with water. Many pet owners use sawdust to arrange a pet's resting place or to fill its bedding: the pets feel comfortable and are not attacked by parasites.

Garlic and yeast

Grind 3 cloves of garlic and 30 g of brewer's yeast and prepare the mixture. Spread the pulp in secluded places, rub it into the carpet and leave to work until the morning. The smell will be quite specific, but it will repel insects. After a night of “aromas,” you need to organize a good cleaning.

Tansy in different combinations

This plant is used together with others in different ways:

Tansy and celandine , taken in equal proportions, must be poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for 12 hours. Treat the apartment with the resulting infusion using a spray bottle.
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a mixture of tansy, wormwood and eucalyptus Then spray the room in the same way as the previous method.
Wormwood and tansy can be used fresh or dry. You can use them to make tinctures, decoctions, or simply place them around the house. The specific smell and essential oils of plants successfully repel insects.

Tansy is poisonous, so it is unacceptable to use it in rooms where there are small children. You also need to be very careful when bathing your pets.

Essential oils

Oils repel adult insects. They cannot kill a flea or destroy its eggs and larvae, but they can force the parasites to leave the apartment. Add 25 g of essential oil (you can use several different ones) to warm water (5 l). Use the resulting solution to treat walls, furniture, floors, walls, etc. After three days, repeat the procedure until the fleas completely disappear. The most effective oils are:

mint and lemon balm,
juniper,
lemon and orange,
cloves and basil,
eucalyptus and lemongrass,
lavender and thyme,
wormwood and cedar,
tea tree and rosemary.

Dishwashing liquid

Almost folk, but it helps a lot when you need to remove fleas from upholstered furniture, clothes or bed linen. Apply the foamed gel to the slightly moistened surface of the sofa and leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse everything thoroughly and dry with a hairdryer - the insects die. In the case of clothes, they need to be soaked in diluted dishwashing detergent and then washed at fairly high temperatures.

It is possible to fight against parasites and win. When choosing folk remedies, you should not forget that all procedures must be carried out regularly (at least once a week), and the destruction or expulsion of insects will take a certain period of time. But if you try, success is guaranteed.

How to prevent fleas in your apartment

Nobody wants to experience the unpleasant moments associated with the appearance of fleas in the apartment. And it’s not for nothing that they say: “Forewarned is forearmed.”

Perhaps all of the following will help you take the necessary measures in time and prevent the appearance of parasitic insects in your home. To do this, the following measures must be taken.

1) Closely monitor your pets , bathe them regularly, comb them and treat them for fleas. To get rid of blood-sucking animal pests, use:

Drops for external use, which are rubbed into the skin of the animal in the area of the withers and tail.
Anti-flea shampoos.
Special sprays and collars.
Pills.
Injections for administration are usually once every six months.

2) Change your pet's bedding on time. If it appeared recently, then you need it:

Shake well and treat with a steam generator.
If possible, freeze it.
Wash once a week.
Replace the filler with pine sawdust. If the litter is old, you should throw it out without hesitation, because this is the place where fleas and their eggs accumulate the most.

3) Carry out regular cleaning , ventilation and keep the apartment clean.

4) Periodically use vinegar and essential oils to add to water intended for washing floors.

5) After visiting the street, keep your shoes and clothes clean.

Efficiency

When wondering whether whiteness will help against fleas, it is worth noting that this composition is quite effective, as it contains chlorine and other auxiliary substances. The main component of the product is used in nurseries for cleaning cages and disinfecting surfaces.

Bleach against fleas is effective only if the insecticide is used correctly. When exposed directly, it can dry out the bodies of parasites.

When wondering whether bleach helps against fleas with a single use of the product, it is worth noting that this depends on the degree of infestation of the room. Usually you need to spray the drug several times at certain intervals.

How to protect yourself and your premises from re-infection

Residents of private houses, as well as apartments located on the ground floor, are more susceptible to the threat of such unpleasant pests as fleas in their homes. Therefore, in order to protect yourself, your family and pets from insects, it is worth periodically carrying out manipulations that will help minimize the occurrence of parasites.

Clean carpets with powders or use the services of a professional dry cleaner, where you can ask them to treat the item with a special preparation.
Periodically wash the floors with vinegar diluted in water.

These methods are used by those people who oppose chemical household products. When starting to wash the floors, treat not only the visible surface, but also the baseboards with cracks. If the walls of the house have paint rather than wallpaper, they should also be washed.

If you find a crack on the floor, wall or window, repair it immediately, because this is how fleas enter living spaces. If a street animal gets into your house, you need to carefully treat the places where it has been.