An empty house can be a breeding ground for different kinds of pests – mosquitoes, roaches, and even fleas! If you’ve recently moved into a new place and found fleas, don’t worry.
The most effective way to get fleas out of an empty house is to clean the house and run it thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner. Considering that fleas can’t be easily seen by the naked eye, it’s essential to be diligent in your cleaning efforts.
Moreover, you should also consider getting rid of any potential food sources that the fleas may be feeding on. This means getting rid of any pet food, as well as crumbs or spills on the floor.
Once you’ve cleaned the house and gotten rid of potential food sources, you can run a flea bomb or fogger through the house to get rid of any remaining fleas.
Possible Reasons Why Fleas Can Be Found in Empty Homes
When you move into a new home, and you’ve found a flea infestation, there could be a few reasons behind that. Let’s find out the main reasons:
The Previous Occupants Have Had Pets
One of the most common reasons why fleas can be found in an empty house is that the previous occupants have had pets. Even if the pet is no longer living in the house, their fur could still be full of fleas which can quickly spread to other areas of the home.
This is one of the most common possibilities as fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Adult fleas typically die down in 5-7 days without a food source. They should die down immediately if they can’t find a host, right?
While it’s true that adult fleas who used to have a host won’t survive for more than a week, their eggs will. Flea eggs can often be found in carpeting, on furniture, or even in cracks in the floor.
If they hatch and there’s no host around, the fleas will simply lay dormant until a host is available again. They can survive for up to nine months even without food!
The House Wasn’t Cleaned Properly Before You Moved In
Another possibility is that the house wasn’t cleaned properly before you moved in. This means that there could be fleas or their eggs lurking in nooks and crannies, just waiting to hatch. Some of these may be dormant long enough that you don’t see them until after you’ve moved in.
To avoid this, it’s always a good idea to clean the house from top to bottom before moving any of your belongings in.
This includes washing all the floors, shampooing the carpets, and dusting all surfaces – even ones that seem clean.
A quick once-over with a vacuum cleaner isn’t enough to eliminate all the fleas (or their eggs), so it’s important to be thorough.
You Brought Fleas into the House Yourself
It’s also possible that you brought fleas into the house yourself, either on your clothes or your pets. If you’ve been in contact with any animals who have fleas, it’s possible that you could’ve picked some up without realizing it.
The best way to avoid this is to make sure that you and your clothes are clean before coming into contact with your new home. Taking a shower and putting on clean clothes before you start unpacking will help to make sure that you don’t track any fleas into your new house.
As for your pets, it’s always a good idea to have them checked by a vet before bringing them into your new home. This way, you can be sure that they’re free of fleas (and any other parasites) before they have a chance to infest your new house.
There are Animals in the Surrounding Areas
Even if there are no pets in your new home, there could still be animals in the surrounding areas. If you live in a rural area, there could be wild animals who come into your yard and bring fleas with them. This is a common situation and one that can be difficult to avoid.
Some wild animals who are known to carry fleas are:
- Raccoons
- Opossums
- Skunks
- Squirrels
- Chipmunks
- Stray dogs and cats
It is very common for fleas to get inside a house, especially if there are animals living nearby. The best way to avoid this is to keep your yard clean and free of debris where animals might want to build their nests.
You should also consider trimming back any bushes or trees that touch your house, as this will give animals easier access to your home.
Getting Rid of Fleas in an Empty House
If you find fleas in your empty house, there are a few things that you can do to get rid of them. The most important thing is to be patient and thorough as it can take some time to completely eliminate all the fleas.
Some of the best ways to get rid of fleas are:
Vacuum All Areas Thoroughly
As mentioned earlier, fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day. So, if you vacuum an area and don’t get rid of the eggs, the flea problem will continue.
Make sure to vacuum all areas where fleas may be present including carpets, rugs, floors, furniture, and any cracks or crevices.
Immediately get rid of the vacuum bag after each use to prevent the fleas from escaping back into your house.
Wash All Linens and Clothes in Hot Water
Any linens or clothes that have been infested with fleas need to be washed in hot water. This includes sheets, blankets, towels, and clothing. If you’re moving in without any furniture, but there are carpets, blankets and curtains, these should all be washed in hot water as well.
Be sure to wash all items in the hottest setting possible to kill all the fleas and their eggs.
Use a Flea Spray
There are a variety of different flea sprays available that can be used to kill fleas. These sprays usually contain chemicals that are toxic to fleas but safe for humans and pets.
When using a spray, be sure to follow the directions on the label and avoid spraying it directly on your skin. Some flea sprays are only meant to be used outdoors, while others can be used indoors as well.
Use a Flea Powder
Flea powder is another option that can be used to kill fleas. This powder usually contains food-grade diatomaceous earth, which works by dehydrating and killing the fleas.
When using flea powder, be sure to apply it in all the areas where fleas may be present. It’s also a good idea to vacuum after applying the powder to help remove any dead fleas.
Pay Special Attention to Your Pets
If you have pets, it’s essential to pay special attention to them as they can be a source of fleas. Be sure to groom your pets regularly and bathe them with flea shampoo if necessary.
You should also check your pets for fleas regularly and treat them with flea medicine if needed.
Use a Flea Trap
Flea traps are devices that use heat or light to attract fleas and then trap them. These traps can be effective in getting rid of fleas, but they won’t kill the eggs.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning the house with a vacuum cleaner and treating the area with a flea bomb or flea spray are some of the common things that you can do to get fleas out of an empty house.
You may need to re-apply and redo the process a few times to make sure that all the fleas are gone. Be patient and consistent with your efforts, and eventually, you will be successful in getting rid of fleas from your home for good.
