First month flea FREE (*£2.99 P&P first month only)
Speedy same day dispatch**
12+ million flea & worm packs sold
Tailored to your pet
Blog Home
Flea
Ticks & Lice
Worming
Itch News
Itch Insights
Q&A
Table of Contents
Flea spray for homes
Why should I use flea treatment in my home?
What is the flea life cycle?
How does a household flea spray target the flea life cycle?
How does flea spray kill fleas in my home?
How do I use a household flea spray?
How long do I need to use a household flea spray for?
Can I use flea spray on my pet?
Nearly all the fleas live in your home, not on your pet so it’s crucial to use flea spray throughout your house when tackling a flea infestation. Let’s not forget fleas can get everywhere. They will nestle themselves in all areas of your home, from crack to crevice. And if the conditions are right, fleas will breed like crazy - A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day! But don’t worry, the solution is simple. Keep reading to find out…
When most people think of flea treatment, they just think of treating their cat or dog. But here’s the catch: fleas don’t just live on your pet. In fact, around 95% of a flea infestation is in your home environment, not on your animal.
That means the carpets, sofas, rugs, curtains and even the tiny cracks between floorboards can all be harbouring flea eggs, larvae or pupae. Click here to find out where fleas hide in your home. A household flea spray is designed to tackle these hidden stages in your living space – something pet-only treatments can’t do on their own.
You might be tempted to think: “If I treat my pet, surely the problem will sort itself out?” Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.
Fleas are sneaky breeders - A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. That’s hundreds of eggs in just a week, many of which will end up in your carpet fibres or pet’s bedding.
The life cycle keeps the problem going - Even if you kill the fleas on your pet, new adults can keep emerging from pupae in your home.
They bite humans too - While fleas prefer cats and dogs, they’ll happily nip you if given the chance, especially around ankles. Click here to see what a flea bite on you would look like.
By treating your home with a flea spray, you’re breaking the cycle and preventing a never-ending reinfestation.
The flea life cycle is what makes fleas so hard to get rid of. This is because most of the infestation is eggs, larvae and pupae (the stages you can’t see), which is why flea sprays are so important.
So what are the stages of the flea life cycle?
Eggs. Tiny white eggs that fall off your pet into your home. They’re almost invisible to the naked eye.
Larvae. Worm-like youngsters that wriggle into dark corners and feed on debris (including flea droppings).
Pupae. This is the cocoon stage. The flea is safely tucked away and can stay there for weeks or even months, waiting for the right conditions.
Adults. The fleas you actually see, jumping on your pet or yourself.
Most good flea sprays contain a combination of active ingredients that do two things:
Kill adult fleas
Usually with an insecticide that knocks them out on contact.
Stop eggs and larvae developing
Many sprays include an insect growth regulator (IGR). This clever ingredient prevents young fleas from maturing into adults, which is key to breaking the cycle.
By targeting both the visible adult fleas and the hidden immature stages, sprays cut off the flea population at its source. That’s why they’re far more effective than just treating your pet alone. Click here to learn about the ingredients in flea treatment and how they kill fleas for good.
When you spray it onto surfaces like carpets, rugs, and pet bedding, the insecticide works on contact. Fleas that come into contact with the treated area will be killed fairly quickly. The IGR part of the spray then lingers, disrupting the development of eggs and larvae.
It’s worth noting that sprays don’t kill the pupae stage (the cocoon) because the flea is protected inside. But once the adult emerges and hops into the treated area, it will be exposed to the insecticide. That’s why persistence is key.
Using a flea spray isn’t difficult, but a few simple steps can make it much more effective:
Vacuum thoroughly first
This helps bring pupae closer to the surface and picks up debris larvae feed on.
Remove pets and children
You don’t want them around while spraying.
Spray all the hotspots
Carpets, rugs, pet bedding, skirting boards, sofas, cushions, curtains, and even car upholstery if your pet travels with you.
Let it dry & ventilate the area
Keep pets and kids out of the area until it’s completely dry (usually 30 minutes or more)
Vacuum regularly afterwards
This helps trigger fleas to hatch from cocoons so they’ll encounter the spray residue.
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is: patience is your friend.
Immediate effects – You’ll often see adult fleas dying off within hours or days.
Long-term effects – Because of the pupal stage, it can take several weeks for all fleas to be eliminated.
Ongoing prevention – Some sprays keep working for several months, but it’s a good idea to reapply as directed on the label, especially in peak flea season (spring and summer).
Don’t be disheartened if you still see the odd flea a week or two later – it’s usually one emerging from a cocoon, and the spray should still catch them.
This is an important one: household flea sprays are not designed for use on pets. They’re formulated for carpets, furniture and home environments, not for direct application to animals.
For your dog or cat, you should stick with vet-approved flea treatments like Itch Flea Spot-On Treatment for Cats and Itch Flea Spot-On Treatment for Dogs. Using the wrong product on your pet can be harmful, so we tailored the perfect dose to your pet that kills fleas, eggs and larvae. Tell us about your pet here!
Fleas can feel like an endless battle, but with the right approach you can absolutely win. The key is to treat both your pet and your home. Household flea sprays are powerful tools that kill adult fleas and stop new ones from developing, making sure the infestation doesn’t just keep coming back.
95% of fleas live in your home environment, not on your pet.
To break the fast and furious flea life cycle, treat your home with Itch Flea Home Spray. In one blast, it will help turf out the little blighters — and any dust mites too — as well as put a halt to the development of flea eggs and larvae for up to 12 months.
Shop now
Share
Got a furry friend with fleas? This situation is more common than you might think. Fleas are hardy little things that like to breed intensely - One female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day! The good news is, if you act quickly, you can stop them from infesting your home and causing chaos. Watch our TikTok video on the steps you need to take to stay flea-free or scroll to find out how to thoroughly get rid of fleas (without panicking).
If you’ve ever dealt with a flea problem, you know it takes time, effort and a lot of patience. You treat the pet, you hoover like you’ve never hoovered before, you wash every blanket in the house… and still, weeks later, you spot another one of those tiny acrobats hopping about.
So, what’s the secret weapon? One ingredient that can make all the difference is S-Methoprene.
Fleas can come into your home at any point and stay there for as long as 6 months. Keep reading to find out what has probably brought fleas into your home and how to get rid of them.
