Flea treatment for homes in Ontario

Fleas are small, fast and good at hiding in carpets and bedding. If you or your pet are scratching and you spot tiny dark insects jumping, you probably have a flea problem. Most of it is out of sight, in the floor and furniture.

How does Pest Emergency handle flea treatment?

We follow four steps.

1. Inspect. We check where pets sleep and rest, plus carpets, rugs and furniture.
2. Identify. We confirm the pest is fleas and not another biting insect.
3. Treat. We treat the areas where fleas develop, concentrating on pet resting spots.
4. Follow up. We check results and advise on whether another treatment is needed.

Read more about fleas and our IPM approach.

How do I get rid of fleas in my house?

Do three things together: treat the pet, clean the home and treat the areas where fleas develop. Skipping any one of them lets the problem restart.

Health Canada’s advice is to treat the pet and the places it uses. Its pages mention checking a pet’s neck and tail with a flea comb and asking a veterinarian about the best product. The agency also points to treating baseboards near sleeping areas, door and window frames, and spots like pet bedding.

Why do fleas keep coming back?

Because adult fleas on your pet are only part of the population. According to Health Canada, eggs, larvae and pupae are found in and around the places pets sleep. They keep developing after you treat.

Life stages

Eggs hatch into larvae, which become pupae, then adults. Immature fleas do not bite. Adults feed several times a day.

Cocoons

Researchers at the University of Georgia report that flea pupae can wait in their cocoons for weeks to months, until vibration or carbon dioxide tells them a host is near. That is why new fleas can appear after a treatment that seemed to work.

Health Canada also notes that growth regulators such as methoprene and pyriproxyfen stop larvae from becoming adults. They do not kill adults already present, so they work alongside other treatments.

Does vacuuming help?

Yes, and it helps in two ways. It removes fleas and eggs from carpets and furniture. The University of Kentucky notes that vacuuming also stimulates fleas to emerge, which exposes them to treatment sooner.

Health Canada recommends vacuuming carpets and cushioned furniture daily during an infestation. Empty the vacuum into a sealed bag and take it outside.

Do I need to treat my pet too?

Yes. Talk to your veterinarian first. Do not use products meant for the home on your pet, and follow label directions on pet products. Your vet can advise on the dose and a safe product for your animal’s age and size.

Can fleas live in a house with no pets?

They can arrive on clothing, or a previous occupant’s pets may have left eggs and cocoons behind. Pupae can wait for weeks to months, so an empty home can still produce fleas once someone walks in.

How should I prepare for flea treatment?

• Wash bedding in hot, soapy water. Health Canada suggests every two to three weeks while dealing with fleas.
• Vacuum carpets, rugs and furniture, then dispose of the bag outside.
• Clear floors of toys, clothing and clutter so treatment can reach carpet edges and baseboards.
• Keep pet bedding available, as we will want to check where pets rest.
• Move pets out of the room being treated when we ask.

Are fleas the same as bed bugs?

No, but the question comes up because both bite. Fleas jump and live in carpets and on pets. Bed bugs hide in mattresses and furniture. If your bites seem to appear overnight and you have no pets, read about bed bug treatment.

Where we treat

We serve homes across Ontario, including Hamilton.

Get a flea treatment quote

Tell us about your pets, the rooms you have seen fleas in and when it started. We send quote details within 30 minutes. Then we arrange an inspection with you.

Request a free quote to begin.