Do I need to treat my house if my dog has fleas?

Understanding the flea life cycle

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of house treatment, it’s worth understanding why it’s necessary in the first place. Fleas are relentless little creatures with a life cycle that allows them to thrive in your home environment.

Here’s a quick overview:

Eggs: Adult fleas lay eggs on your dog, but these often fall off into your carpets, bedding, or furniture.

Larvae: These hatch from eggs and burrow into dark, hidden places like the depths of your carpet or between floorboards.

Pupae: The larvae form a cocoon and remain dormant until they sense movement, heat, or carbon dioxide — all signs that your pet is nearby.

Adults: Once emerged, adult fleas hop onto your dog (or, even you) to feed and start the cycle anew.

A single adult flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. So, if you’ve noticed fleas on your dog, chances are they’re not the only ones making themselves comfortable in your home. This is why treating just your pet won’t cut it.

Why you need to treat your home

There will be hundreds of eggs and larvae potentially lurking in your home, and unfortunately they won’t be too noticeable to the naked eye. Without cleansing your environment, you’ll soon find yourself in a frustrating and vicious cycle of constant flea infestations.

Fleas can survive for weeks or even months in their pupal stage, waiting for the perfect opportunity to jump back onto a host. This means that unless you eliminate them at every stage of their life cycle, they’ll keep coming back, no matter how diligently you treat your dog.

Prevention is key

Once you’ve treated your home and dog, the last thing you want is to go through the ordeal again. Prevention is your best defence against future flea problems…

Regular flea treatments

Administer vet-approved flea preventatives to your dog year-round, like Itch Flea Treatment for Dogs, which kills all adult fleas on your pooch in 24 hours and halts all other flea life cycle stages. 

Maintain a clean home

- Vacuum regularly, especially in pet-prone areas.

- Wash your dog’s bedding weekly.

- Keep clutter to a minimum to reduce hiding spots for fleas.

Inspect your dog 

Make a habit of checking your pooch for fleas, especially after walks in grassy or wooded areas. A flea comb can help you spot and remove any hitchhikers before they become a problem.

So, do you need to treat your house if your dog has fleas? Absolutely. It might seem like a daunting task, but with a thorough and methodical approach, you can rid your home of these unwelcome guests and prevent them from returning.

Remember, the sooner you act, the easier it will be to break the flea life cycle. And let’s face it, your dog deserves a flea-free home — and so do you.