Flea Mitigation

Written By Rachel Gardner

Itching For Solutions

Last Updated 2/17/26

Are you finding a black, dirt-like substance on your pet’s bedding and fur? Feeling itchy and waking up with itchy bumps all over? You may have a flea infestation on your hands. The information contained is for informational and educational purposes only and should not supersede the advice of your veterinary care team.

What is a flea?

Fleas are tiny, bloodsucking, insects that prefer a temperate climate and can pass disease and additional parasites onto your loved ones. Infestations may present as black dirt on the fur, skin, and bedding, excessive itching, and the ability to see them jumping off of pets and furniture. Their bites can cause allergies, itching, redness, inflammation, anemia, and a compromised immune system that makes them susceptible to additional infectious diseases such as ringworm, mites, bacteria, and worms.

How to treat for fleas

There are a few methods to treat and remove fleas from your pets including topical treatment, medicated baths, and internal medication. 

Topical Treatment

These are products you put on your pets to prevent fleas. This category includes sprays, collars, individual vials of treatment, medicated baths, and purported natural solutions.

  1. Prescriptions: must be obtained through a licensed veterinarian; typically 1-3 month duration; generally considered the safest and most reputable option

    1. Revolution: https://www.zoetispetcare.com/products/revolution-plus 

    2. Bravecto: https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/hub/bravecto/ 

    3. Nexgard Combo: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/products/nexgard-combo 

  2. Over the counter: can be purchased commercially at pet stores, supermarkets, online distributors, and feed stores; do not require a prescription; not well regulated

    1. Advantage II: https://cats.com/advantage-ii-for-cats 

    2. Catego: https://www.ceva.us/News-Media/News-Releases-Articles-About-Ceva/Ceva-Introduces-Catego-For-Cats 

    3. Frontline: https://frontline.com/ 

    4. Crossblock II: https://www.entirelypets.com/crossblock-ii-cats-and-kittens-over-9lb-orange-3month.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqTV3-73Cl6n-a9QQToAmnmjYAWJVfFGZdfmwT_Jj3uU-h06Lp- 

  3. Sprays: can be used topically and environmentally; inconsistent dosing and accidental ingestion are more likely

    1. Adams: https://www.adamspetcare.com/products/pet/plus-flea-and-tick-spray 

  4. Collars: can be worn in addition to regular collars; last 30 days; may pose a safety risk from lack of breakaway options; may cause topical discomfort 

    1. Seresto: https://yourpetandyou.elanco.com/us/our-products/seresto/seresto-dogs 

  5. Medicated shampoo: useful for irritated skin; treats and removes fleas gently; bathing may increase anxiety in cats 

    1. Advantage: https://advantage-flea.com/ 

    2. TropiClean: https://tropiclean.com/collections/flea-tick 

Natural remedies

There are some natural, safe ways to treat fleas-however-we strongly encourage you to do independent research from verified scholar sources for any products you choose to use. Many of these treatments include essential oils that can cause slow poisoning in cats.

  1. Dr. Pitcairn is a renowned holistic veterinarian whose work is cited in both western and eastern medicine circles: https://www.drpitcairn.com/homeopathy/remedies/ 

How to kill fleas 

Blow torches may feel like the only way to eliminate fleas in your home, but there are less drastic options including foggers, steam, and out of the box ingenuity. Fleas have 4 life stages and each must be eliminated to end an infestation. 

  1. Kill, comb out, and treat the fleas on your pets using products such as Capstar and a follow up preventative

  2. Fog or Bomb the house

    1. Hot Shot: https://www.hotshot.com/products/crawling-insect-killers/indoor-fogger/fogger-with-odor-neutralizer 

    2. Raid: https://raid.com/en-us

  3. Clean your home by opening the windows and doors, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, steam cleaning unwashable surfaces, shampooing carpet, and washing bedding

  4. Replace cardboard scratchers, blow and vacuum cat trees, and wash blankets and toys

  5. Vacuum daily

  6. Repeat steps 2-4 in 10 days

  7. Repeat steps 2-4 in 20 days

How to clean for fleas 

Fleas can leave behind dirt, waste, and dried blood on your linens, pet furniture, and other surfaces. Heat from steam cleaners, carpet shampooers, and hot laundry clicked will kill anything else. Products like accelerated hydrogen peroxide will remove stains and sanitize laundry and surfaces.

How to prevent fleas

In addition to maintaining a clean environment and treating your pets monthly, there are a few environmental preventatives that can be added to stop infestations in their tracks.

Traps

Are designed to catch and kill fleas by drawing them in with warmth and the promise of treats. These are excellent tools for monitoring the progress of your eradication methods, but won’t take care of them on their own.

  1. Water and dish soap

    1. Pick a place near an outlet that can’t be accessed by pets or children 

    2. Fill a shallow bowl or dish with water

    3. Add dish soap and stir

    4. Turn on a desk lamp (they are short and get warm fast) and place the dish next to it 

  2. Tape and cardboard

    1. Pick a place near an outlet that can’t be accessed by pets or children

    2. Cut a 6x6” square of cardboard and cover one side with double sided tape

    3. Turn on a desk lamp and place the cardboard next to it

  3. Corn syrup

    1. Pick a place near an outlet that can’t be accessed by pets or children

    2. Bring equal parts water and corn syrup to a boil, remove from heat, and let cool

    3. Pour the cooled mixture into a shallow bowl or dish

    4. Turn on a desk lamp and place the fish next to it

  4. Commercial traps

    1. Terro: https://www.terro.com/terro-refillable-flea-trap 

Carpet additives 

Can be sprinkled on carpet and furniture to suffocate fleas, however, they can also be inhaled and ingested by humans and animals.

  1. Baking soda

  2. Zodiac: https://www.zodiacpet.com/dogs/flea-tick-powder.htm 

  3. Pet Armor: https://petarmor.com/products/petarmor-home-flea-tick-carpet-powder 

  4. Place a Flea Collar in your vacuum cleaner canister

External control

Keeping fleas from getting into your home is ultimately the best defense against an infestation. Many rental agencies provide monthly pest control and commercial companies such as Orkin and Clark offer flea specific services. 

  1. Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth: this fossil-based dusty particulate is razor sharp enough to cut through tough exoskeletons; this can be sprinkled in flowerbeds, gardens, and yards

Rachel Gardner
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