Table of Contents
The flea life cycle
Treating fleas
Preventing fleas
How long does it take to get rid of fleas?
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What kills 100% of fleas?
- By Leigha
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- March 10, 2025
- 3 MIN READ
Fleas are stubborn little blighters and without effective treatment, it can feel like they just won’t go away! In order to get rid of fleas for good, you need to know how to kill every last flea. Keep reading to find out vet-recommended tips for treating a flea infestation and most importantly, stopping them from coming back!
The flea life cycle
Fleas don’t just appear out of thin air. They have a life cycle that makes them particularly tricky to get rid of. Understanding this cycle is key to breaking it.
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Eggs
Fleas lay eggs on your pet, but these quickly drop off into carpets, bedding, and furniture. A single flea can lay around 50 eggs a day!
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Larvae
The eggs hatch into larvae, which burrow into dark, hidden spots like deep in carpets or cracks in floorboards.
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Pupae
The larvae spin cocoons and enter the pupal stage, where they can remain dormant for weeks or even months, waiting for the perfect time to emerge.
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Adult Fleas
Once they sense warmth and movement, they hatch and immediately start feeding on their host – usually your pet or, in some cases, you.
Since fleas go through these different stages, you need a strategy that kills them at every point in their life cycle.
Treating fleas
Killing 100% of fleas isn’t just about giving your pet a quick flea bath and calling it a day. Here’s our step-by-step approach you should take to eradicate fleas:
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Treat your pet. Start with your furry friend. Flea treatments come in various forms like spot-on treatments which are applied to the back of the neck and work by spreading through the pet’s skin oils. Try the Itch Flea Treatment for Dogs or Itch Flea Treatment for Cats which kills fleas on your pet within 24 hours and halts all other stages of the life cycle.
Click here for more information on the best flea treatment for your pet.
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Treat your home. 95% of fleas live in your environment, not on your pet so it’s crucial to treat your home as well as your cat or dog. Fleas love warm, cosy environments, so your house is the perfect breeding ground, here’s our vet-recommended tips... Firstly vacuum everything (by this we mean your carpets, rugs, sofas, and even cracks in wooden floors, as this helps remove flea eggs and larvae). Then wash your bedding, which includes your pet's and your own. Use flea sprays to kill fleas at all life stages, like the Itch Flea Spray for Homes which kills all fleas in your environment for up to 2 months, after just one blast. If this isn't your preferred method, try natural options like Diatomaceous earth.
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Treat your garden. If your pet spends time outdoors, fleas could be lurking there too. Keep your lawn trimmed, remove damp leaves, and consider using flea-killing sprays in shaded areas.
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Get the big guns out. Handling a flea infestation can be challenging and tedious, that’s why in some cases more than one treatment option is needed to break the life cycle and stop fleas from coming back. If you find yourself struggling with a full blown flea infestation, Get Rid of Fleas with the Itch Flea Eradication kit - our proven method to say goodbye to fleas, once and for all.
Preventing fleas
Once you’ve tackled an infestation, the last thing you want is for it to happen again. Follow these steps to make sure you stop fleas from coming back!
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Regular flea treatments – Keep up with flea preventative treatment for your pet all year-round. Fleas can hop on your cat or dog at any time of the year.
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Clean regularly – Vacuuming and washing bedding frequently will help prevent flea eggs from settling in.
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Check your pet often – Look out for excessive scratching, flea dirt (small black specks in their fur), and red bite marks.
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Use flea combs – Running a flea comb through your pet’s fur can help catch fleas before they become a bigger problem.
How long does it take to get rid of fleas?
Getting rid of fleas completely can take weeks. Even if you kill all the adult fleas, you still have to deal with eggs, larvae, and pupae waiting to hatch.
Immediate relief: You can kill adult fleas on your pet within 24 hours using the right treatment, like the Itch Flea Treatment for cats and dogs.
Ongoing battle: Since flea eggs and larvae are hidden away, it can take 3-4 weeks of consistent cleaning and treatment to break the cycle.
Long-term control: If you’re thorough with prevention, fleas should be gone within a month or two.
Click here for more info on how long it takes to get rid of fleas in your home.
So, what kills 100% of fleas? A combination of proper pet treatment, deep home cleaning, and consistent prevention. There’s no single magic bullet, but with a determined approach, you can say goodbye to fleas for good. Stay vigilant, keep up with preventative measures, and your home will be flea-free in no time!
Protect your pet from fleas.
Fleas, ticks and lice can be a nightmare, but with the right approach, you can take control and rid your pets and home of these bothersome pests. Remember that parasites can be persistent, so patience and regular treatment will be your best friends! By addressing both your pet and their environment, you can ensure a flea-free and comfortable living space for both your furry companion and your family.
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