Having fleas in your bed can be an incredibly frustrating, irritating and frankly painful experience.
Not only are they a nuisance, but if left untreated, the infestation could become more severe and even spread to other parts of your home.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the best methods and techniques to get rid of fleas from your bed (and their eggs) – as well as provide helpful tips on preventing future infestations so you can keep your bedroom free from these pests for good!
We’ll cover everything you need to know – from identifying fleas in your bed, treating it for fleas, prevention methods and dealing with active infestations throughout the rest of the house.
Worry not, we will have your bed, and home, flea free and feeling great!
Identifying Fleas in Your Bed
Fleas can sometimes be difficult to identify, but there are certain signs that can help you determine if your bed is infested. It’s important to know how to look for fleas and what signs to look for in order to properly treat an infestation.
Signs of Fleas:
The most obvious sign of a flea infestation is the presence of small black specks on your sheets or mattress. These are flea droppings that contain partially digested blood from their host. You may even see live adult fleas hopping around on the bed if you have light-colored linen – or find dead ones in the folds of sheets and blankets. Furthermore, and probably the worst way to identify them – you may also notice red bumps on your skin after sleeping in an infected bed, as these are bites from the fleas themselves.
Where To Look For Fleas:
In addition to looking at your sheets and mattress, it’s important to check other areas where fleas may hide such as cracks between floorboards, behind furniture, under carpets and rugs, and even inside pet beds if you have any pets living with you.
One way to test for fleas is by using a flashlight at night while lying down on the bed; this will make it easier for you to spot any moving insects when light shines upon them. Another method is called “dusting” – simply sprinkle some talcum powder over areas where you suspect there might be an infestation; then wait about 10 minutes before checking back again. If there are any live adult fleas present, they should become visible due to dust particles sticking to them, making it easier to detect them with the naked eye or magnifying glass (if needed).
It is important to be able to correctly identify fleas in your bed so that you can take the necessary steps to get rid of them.
Next, we will discuss treating and eliminating fleas from your bed.
How To Treat Your Bed for Fleas & Eggs
The following steps will show you exactly how to get rid of fleas in beds – but also applies to other areas of your home as well.
Cleaning and Vacuuming the Bed:
Start by removing all bedding, linens, pillows, and any other items from the mattress. Wash these items in hot water with detergent to kill any existing fleas or eggs. After washing them, dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes to ensure that no live fleas remain. Then use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove any remaining fleas or eggs from the mattress and box spring. Be sure to empty out the canister after vacuuming as this will help prevent re-infestation of your bed.
Using Insecticides and Pesticides Safely:
Always wear protective clothing such as gloves when handling these products and avoid contact with skin whenever possible. Make sure that pets are kept away from treated areas until they have completely dried and work in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Treat Them With A Natural Remedy
Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around your mattress can help kill off adult fleas, while boric acid powder sprinkled around baseboards may help keep new ones away altogether. You can also make a homemade spray solution of vinegar mixed with essential oils like lavender oil, which has been known to repel many insects, including fleas.
By following these steps, you can effectively treat your bed for fleas as well as eggs before they start a new life cycle.
The video below has some great tips from a pest control professional on how to deal with fleas comprehensively:
Now, let’s look at how to prevent flea infestations in the future.
Preventing Fleas Infestations In Your Bed
Prevention is definitely the best cure when it comes to dealing with fleas in your bed.
Regularly washing bedding and linens can drastically help reduce the risk of a flea infestation. Wash all sheets, blankets, pillows and other fabric items on a regular basis with hot water to kill any eggs or larvae that may be present. Additionally, keeping pets away from the bedroom area will also help minimize the chance of an infestation as they are often carriers for fleas.
Vacuuming regularly and thoroughly is another key step in preventing future infestations of fleas in your bed. Vacuum carpets, furniture upholstery and mattresses at least once per week to remove any eggs or larvae that may have been brought into your home by pets or through open windows or doors. Again, make sure to empty the vacuum bag after each use so that you don’t inadvertently spread any eggs around your home again!
The mattress you are using should also be washed thoroughly. However, different kinds of
mattresses demand different cleaning processes. For example, if you have purchased a mattress for back pain, its cleaning process might differ slightly from others. You can
go through all the steps and apply any cleaning method suitable for your mattress.
It is also important to maintain a healthy home environment in order to avoid future infestations of fleas in your bedroom.
Ensure proper ventilation and airflow throughout the room by opening windows when possible and using fans if needed during warmer months. Keeping humidity levels low will make it difficult for fleas to survive as they need moisture in order to thrive; try running dehumidifiers if needed during humid periods throughout the year.
Finally, using essential oils such as lavender oil or citronella oil can act as natural repellents against these pests (and other pests such as carpet beetles) – simply spray them around doorways or window frames where they might enter from outside.
Dealing With an Active Infestation of Fleas in Your Home
If you’ve found fleas in your bed – chances are this isn’t the only spot in your home that has a flea problem so it is important to take steps to control the spread throughout the home.
Vacuuming carpets and furniture regularly can help reduce flea populations as well as washing bedding and clothing that may be harboring fleas. It is also important to treat pet beds with insecticides or other treatments designed for flea control. Additionally, using natural repellents such as cedar chips around areas where pets sleep can help keep fleas away from those areas.
In some cases, a professional exterminator may be necessary to get rid of a severe infestation of fleas in your home.
If you are unable to get rid of the problem on your own or if there are signs that the infestation has become too large for DIY methods, it is best to contact a professional pest control company. They will be able to provide more effective solutions than what you could do yourself at home and advise on preventative measures that should be taken in order to avoid future problems with pests like fleas (or maggots!).
Dealing with an active infestation of fleas in your home can be a daunting task, but by taking the proper steps and precautions you can take control.
FAQ: How to Get Rid of Fleas in Bed
How can I get rid of fleas in my bedroom fast?
Leave the product on for at least 24 hours before returning to the room. Wash any pet bedding with hot water and detergent then dry it in a hot dryer if possible. Finally, treat your pets with an appropriate flea treatment as recommended by your veterinarian. Following these steps should help you quickly eliminate fleas from your bedroom!
Will fleas stay in your bed?
How do you get rid of fleas on a mattress and bedding?
Conclusion
Getting rid of fleas in your bed can be a daunting task, but it is an important one to undertake.
By following the steps outlined above, you can identify fleas in your bed, treat them with the right products and methods, prevent future infestations of fleas in your bed and maintain a healthy environment to avoid any further issues. With these tips and tricks on how to get rid of fleas in your bed, you should be able to keep yourself safe from these pesky pests!