Getting rid of fleas involves treating all animals, and eradicating their presence from both the indoor and outdoor environments. Navigating through the myriad of flea control products available today can be extremely confusing; in addition, some products are toxic to particular species. A veterinarian can recommend several different products and can help design a complete treatment program. The house and outdoor environment either can be treated by the owner or by a professional exterminator.
All flea control products work at one or more stages of the flea's life cycle. Attacking the fleas at different stages will result in faster eradication. The only stage that is resistant to treatment products is the pupa stage. The pupa is wrapped in a cocoon that renders it virtually indestructible. Eventually, though fleas at this stage will be eradicated when they emerge as an adult flea.
Fleas can hide in many places indoors, so piles of old newspapers and magazines should be disposed, and non-carpeted surfaces and crevices should be mopped and disinfected. Vacuum cleaner bags should be changed and discarded after each use, since the eggs can survive within the bag and be deposited back into the carpet when the vacuum cleaner is used next.
