What to do if bedroom has fleas?

Dealing with a flea infestation in the bedroom can be frustrating and stressful. Fleas are tiny insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They can easily infest bedrooms through cracks and crevices, biting and causing itchiness. Getting rid of fleas requires thorough cleaning and treatment. Here are some tips on what to do if your bedroom has fleas.

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How do fleas get into the bedroom?

Fleas enter bedrooms through a variety of ways such as:

From pets – Fleas can hitch a ride indoors on your pet’s fur. If your pet sleeps on your bed or frequents your bedroom, fleas can transfer and start breeding in carpet fibers and bedding.
From outside – Fleas may come inside on you or your clothing if you’ve been outside in an area with fleas. They can then spread to the bedroom.
From other infested areas – If you have fleas in other parts of the home, they can migrate to the bedroom through cracks and crevices.

Understanding how fleas get into your bedroom can help you locate the source and prevent future infestations.

Signs of a flea infestation in the bedroom

Some common signs that fleas have infested the bedroom include:

Bites – Small, red, itchy bites often around the ankles and legs.

Black specks – Flea droppings or excrement dried into carpets, bedding, and furniture.
Flea dirt – Crusty debris that rubs off into a reddish color.
Live fleas – Jumping fleas visible in carpet fibers and bedding.

Hot spots on pets – Patchy hair loss or red, irritated skin from excessive flea biting.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s likely fleas have infested the bedroom and treatment is required.

How to get rid of fleas in the bedroom

Eliminating a flea infestation involves cleaning and vacuuming followed by chemical treatment. Here are the steps to take:

Wash all bedding – Strip the bed and wash sheets, blankets, mattress covers, and pillowcases in hot, soapy water to kill fleas and eggs. Dry on high heat.
Vacuum thoroughly – Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to reach into cracks and crevices. Vacuum floors, furniture, mattresses, and under beds. Throw away the vacuum bag immediately after.
Use flea treatment products – Apply sprays, powders, or foggers containing insect growth regulators and adulticides. Treat carpets, floors, furniture, and pet bedding.

Hire an exterminator – For severe infestations, contact a professional exterminator. They have access to stronger insecticides and can treat inaccessible areas.
Treat pets – Use flea treatment products recommended by your veterinarian on all household pets. Treat regularly to prevent re-infestation.
Seal cracks and crevices – Caulk and seal any openings where fleas can get in like around baseboards, under doors, and by windows.

It can take weeks to fully clear a flea infestation. Be patient and persistent with the cleaning, vacuuming, and treatments.

Tips for preventing fleas in the bedroom

Prevention is key to keep fleas out of your bedroom. Here are some helpful tips:

Treat outdoor spaces and yard areas pets frequent with sprays or powders.

Bathe and groom pets regularly to reduce fleas on their coat.
Apply monthly flea prevention to pets year-round.
Inspect pets and comb with a flea comb to monitor for fleas.

Wash bedding frequently in hot water.
Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and floors at least twice a week.
Use flea traps under furniture to catch fleas.

Limit pets’ access to the bedroom.
Keep grass cut short and remove brush debris outside.

Staying vigilant with these prevention methods can help keep fleas from ever becoming a problem in your bedroom.

Natural remedies for fleas in the bedroom

If you want to try some natural options before using insecticides, here are some remedies:

Salt – Sprinkling salt over carpeted areas dehydrates fleas and eggs.
Diatomaceous earth – The sharp particles cut fleas’ exoskeleton causing dehydration.

Herbal flea powder – Powders with pyrethrins, neem, or eucalyptus kill fleas without chemicals.
Essential oils – Oils like peppermint, lemon, lavender, and tea tree repel and kill fleas.
Borax and baking soda – These abrasive ingredients irritate fleas’ bodies when worked into carpets.

Beneficial nematodes – These microscopic worms kill flea larvae in carpeting.

Always follow label directions carefully when using natural treatments. Test for colorfastness before applying to fabrics.

When to call an exterminator for fleas

Calling in a professional exterminator is recommended if:

You continue to see live fleas after thorough cleaning and treatment.
Bites and irritation persist, signaling ongoing infestation.
There are other high-risk individuals in the home like the elderly, children, or pregnant women.

You rent and cannot treat the property yourself.
There are a lot of inaccessible spaces like crawl spaces and attics.
You want the job done quickly and effectively.

Professional exterminators have industrial-strength insecticides, specialized equipment, and the know-how to eliminate flea infestations. The additional cost is well worth it for severe or persistent flea issues.

Common questions about fleas in the bedroom

How long can fleas live in a bedroom?

Adult fleas can live up to 3-4 months in the right conditions. Immature fleas in the egg, larva, and pupa stages can survive even longer waiting to develop into biting adults. Eggs can remain dormant but viable for up to a year.

Can fleas live in bed sheets?

Yes, fleas can hide in the fibers of bed sheets and blankets. Eggs fall off pets and adults seek out warm hosts in bedding. Washing sheets in hot water kills all stages of fleas.

Do fleas lay eggs on humans?

Fleas prefer laying eggs on pets, but will opportunistically lay eggs on humans if no pets are around. Human movement dislodges the eggs, so eggs rarely hatch on people.

Can fleas infest a mattress?

Fleas can infest mattresses, especially in the seams and crevices around buttons or stitching. Use a handheld steamer to penetrate deep into mattresses and kill all flea life stages.

How do you keep fleas off your bed?

Wash bedding weekly, vacuum around and under beds, treat pets with flea prevention, and use traps or diatomaceous earth around bed legs. Keep pets off beds if fleas are a recurring issue.

Conclusion

A flea invasion in the bedroom can be extremely annoying and disruptive. The key is attacking the problem quickly with thorough cleaning, vacuuming, treatments, and prevention. Natural remedies can be tried first, but professional extermination may be needed for large infestations. With diligence and persistence, you can rid your bedroom of fleas and prevent future occurrences.