Table of Contents
What you need to know about fleas
What’s in flea spray?
How to use a flea spray properly
What to expect after spraying
Why you need household flea spray
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How flea spray works - Get rid of fleas in your home
- By Sarah
-
- September 22, 2025
- 3 MIN READ
If you’ve ever had a run-in with fleas, you’ll know just how irritating (and itchy!) the little blighters can be. One minute you’re minding your own business on the sofa, the next you’re scratching your ankles and realising you’ve got uninvited guests hopping about. Luckily, flea sprays are one of the most effective ways to deal with them – but how do they actually work? Keep reading to find out!
What you need to know about fleas
Fleas are tiny, fast-moving insects that feed on blood – usually from pets like cats and dogs, but they’ll happily bite humans too. Click here to see a picture of a flea bite on a human. The trouble is, once they’re in your home, they don’t just stay on your pet. In fact 95% of fleas live in your environment, not on your pet. Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day and quickly find their way into carpets, bedding, and upholstery. This is why you can’t simply treat your pet and call it a day – you need to tackle the whole environment.
What’s in flea spray?
Most household flea sprays are a combination of two key ingredients:
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Insecticides
These kill adult fleas on contact. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are common choices, derived from the chrysanthemum flower or synthetically made. They’re fast-acting and highly effective.
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Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
This is the clever bit. IGRs stop flea eggs and larvae from developing into adults, breaking the breeding cycle. Without this, you’d kill the adults but be left with a fresh wave of fleas hatching days later.
Using a household flea spray that contains both of these ingredients will stop a flea infestation fast, like the Itch Flea House Spray for Homes. After just one blast, Itch Flea House Spray kills fleas in your home for up to 2 months and stops the development of flea eggs and larvae for a longer 12 months.
How to use a flea spray properly
Spraying randomly won’t cut it. Fleas love to hide in cosy, dark spots, so you’ve got to be thorough.
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Treat your pet first: Use a vet-approved spot-on treatment or tablet so your furry friend isn’t reintroducing fleas back into your freshly treated home. Itch Flea Treatment for Cats and Itch Flea Treatment for Dogs are scientifically proven to kill fleas in 24 hours and halt the development of all other flea life stages on your pet. Vet-strength treatment that is tailored to your pet and delivered exactly when you need it - Get Started here!
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Vacuum thoroughly: Carpets, rugs, sofas, even under furniture. Vacuuming picks up eggs and stimulates dormant pupae to hatch (which the spray can then deal with). Click here to find out how to clean your home after a flea infestation.
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Apply the spray: Target carpets, skirting boards, pet bedding, sofa cushions – anywhere your pet likes to nap. Always follow the instructions on the can (some sprays can’t be used around pets) and ventilate afterwards.
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Wash fabrics: Pop pet bedding, blankets, and cushion covers in a hot wash. Flea eggs can’t survive the heat.
What to expect after spraying
Don’t panic if you still spot a flea or two after spraying. It can take a couple of weeks to completely break the flea life cycle, as new fleas hatch and then die off. Consistency is key – sometimes a second treatment is needed.
And remember, prevention is much easier than a full-blown infestation. Keeping your pet regularly treated with vet-recommended flea prevention and giving your home the occasional once-over with spray can save you a lot of grief.
Here’s our tips to fighting a flea infestation in your home!
Why you need household flea spray
So flea spray works by killing off adult fleas and stopping new ones from developing, giving you a two-pronged attack against infestations. Combined with treating your pet and a good bit of cleaning, it’s the most effective way to reclaim your home from these itchy invaders.
So if you think you have fleas, arm yourself with a decent flea spray, roll up your sleeves, and show those little blighters who’s boss.
Protect your home from fleas.
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.
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