How do you get fleas in your house?

Your pet

If you’ve got a cat or dog, they’re the most likely culprits. Fleas love a warm and furry place to hang out in so they can breed and lay lots of eggs. Dogs tend to pick up fleas at the park, whilst cats often contract fleas through other neighbour cats or animals. 

Even if your pet doesn’t venture outside much, indoor pets can still get fleas from other cats or dogs, or even from you carrying flea eggs on your clothes. Flea eggs and larvae can survive for weeks in the environment before latching onto your pet. And once they do? Well, let’s just say it’s not going to be a peaceful night’s sleep for anyone.

Second-hand furniture and carpets

A pre-loved sofa might seem like a great find, but it can come with some unwelcome guests. Fleas and their eggs can survive in upholstery, bedding and carpets, biding their time before they find a meal. If you’re bringing in second-hand furniture, especially pet beds or rugs, a thorough clean is a must. A good hoovering, steaming, or even flea treatment like the Itch Flea Home Spray could save you a world of itching.

Visitors (yes, humans can carry fleas)

Even if you don’t have pets, fleas can still make their way into your home via visitors. A friend who owns a pet with fleas can be carrying flea eggs on their clothes, shoes or hair. It’s not their fault—these pests are sneaky and don’t need a pet to survive in your home initially.

Wildlife

Lots of wild animals can carry fleas, like foxes, hedgehogs, birds, squirrels, rabbits, and mice. If you have a garden, any furry or feathered visitor could be leaving behind flea eggs or larvae. These can then be carried inside by your own pets or even on your shoes. If you’ve got a rodent problem in your home, that’s another way fleas might be getting in. Mice and rats can bring fleas indoors, and once those fleas realise there’s a bigger, warmer host around (i.e., your pet), they won’t hesitate to hop on.

Flea eggs

One of the most frustrating things about fleas is their resilience. Flea eggs can stay dormant for weeks or even months before hatching. They can lie hidden in carpets, cracks in the floorboards, and even between sofa cushions, waiting for the right conditions to hatch.

A little vibration, warmth, or carbon dioxide from a passing pet is all it takes for these eggs to spring into action. That’s why you might suddenly notice a flea problem after returning from holiday—while you were away, those eggs were just biding their time, waiting for their moment to pounce.

Neighbours

If you live in a block of flats or terraced housing, fleas can travel from one property to another. If a neighbouring flat has a flea problem, it’s not impossible for fleas to hitch a ride through shared spaces, under doors, or even through ventilation systems.

Rental properties can also be a flea hotspot. If the previous tenant had pets, flea eggs might still be lurking in the carpet or floorboards. A deep clean before moving in is always a good idea, just in case.

Fleas are relentless, but with some vigilance and prompt action, you can keep your home itch-free. Now you know how they get in, you can be one hop ahead.