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Are they fleas?
Step 1: Strip and wash everything on the bed
Step 2: Vacuum the mattress
Step 3: Treat the mattress
Step 4: Treat your pets at the same time
Step 5: Clean your bedroom
Step 7: Prevent fleas from coming back
Can fleas live in your bed long-term?
Waking up with itchy bites and the uneasy feeling that something is living in your bed is never pleasant. If you suspect fleas, then keep reading to find out the most effective way to kill them and eliminate fleas for good.
Before treating the problem, it’s worth confirming what you’re dealing with.
Fleas are:
Small, dark brown or black
Flat-bodied and very quick
Able to jump long distances
Likely to bite ankles, legs, waist and arms
If you have pets that are scratching more than usual, that’s another strong clue. Flea dirt (tiny black specks that turn reddish-brown when wet) on bedding or mattresses is also a giveaway.
This is the most important step because heat kills adult fleas, larvae and eggs. Even items that look clean should be washed, fleas and their eggs are easy to miss.
Remove all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, mattress protectors and blankets.
Wash everything on the hottest temperature the fabric allows (ideally 60°C or higher).
Tumble dry on a high heat for at least 30 minutes.
Fleas and their eggs can hide in seams, tufts and crevices.
Vacuum both sides of the mattress, paying special attention to seams and edges.
Vacuum the bed frame, headboard and any cracks or joints.
If you have a divan base, vacuum inside drawers and underneath the bed.
When you’ve finished empty the vacuum outside immediately and seal the contents in a bag before putting it in the bin. This prevents fleas from escaping back into your home.
You don’t need to soak your mattress in chemicals, but light treatment can help. Avoid heavy use of insecticides on sleeping surfaces. Always follow product instructions and allow the mattress to dry fully before remaking the bed.
Options include:
A flea spray that is safe to use in your home, like the Itch Flea House Spray for Homes which kills fleas and their eggs.
Diatomaceous earth (food grade only), lightly dusted into seams and vacuumed up after several hours.
Your bed is often only a symptom of a wider flea problem. If you have pets, you must apply flea treatment as this is how the fleas are feeding. Treating your pet regularly will make sure the fleas don’t return.
Use a vet-approved flea treatment like Itch Flea Treatment for Dogs and Itch Flea Treatment for Cats.
Wash pet bedding on high heat
Keep pets off the bed until treatment has started working
Fleas, ticks and lice can be a nightmare, but with the right approach, you can take control and rid your pets and home of these bothersome pests. Remember that parasites can be persistent, so patience and regular treatment will be your best friends! By addressing both your pet and their environment, you can ensure a flea-free and comfortable living space for both your furry companion and your family.
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If the infestation feels out of hand, consider investing in a household flea spray or flea fogger (also known as a flea bomb). These products help kill fleas hiding in carpets and floorboards, not just the bed.
When using these, follow the instructions carefully i.e. remove pets from the room and ventilate well before re-entering.
Once the fleas are gone, prevention matters. Here’s what to do:
For your pet
Keep pets on regular flea prevention as this will keep fleas from biting your pet and causing an infestation in your home.
For your home
Wash your bedding weekly
Vacuum bedrooms regularly
Use mattress protectors that are washable and zippered
Fleas prefer animals, not humans, but they will hide in beds if conditions suit them. Mattresses offer warmth, darkness and easy access to blood meals. Without treatment, fleas can survive and reproduce surprisingly quickly.
Finding fleas in your bed is stressful, but it’s a solvable problem. The key is to treat everything at once: bedding, mattress, room and pets. With heat, thorough cleaning and the right products, fleas can be eliminated and kept away.
Is your home riddled with fleas?
The Itch Flea Eradication Kit is our proven method to eliminate fleas from your pet and your home! It’s got everything you need to get rid of fleas fast with fast, free overnight delivery.
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