How to Get Ready for a Professional Flea Treatment

Metro Orlando FL | Kissimmee - Sanford - Leesburg

If you’ve ever discovered fleas in your home, you know how quickly they can take over. These pests are small, fast, and incredibly resilient, so getting rid of them takes more than just a quick spray. Partnering with a pest control professional is the best way to stop the cycle, but preparation plays a huge role in how effective the treatment will be.

Here’s a simple guide to help you get your home ready for a professional flea treatment, plus what to do afterward to make sure those pests stay gone for good.

Before the Flea Treatment

• Give your home a deep vacuuming: Go over every carpeted area, rug, and upholstered surface, especially spots where your pets like to rest. Don’t skip corners, baseboards, or underneath furniture. This helps remove adult fleas and brings eggs and larvae closer to the surface so the treatment can reach them.
• Clean or replace pet bedding: Wash your pet’s blankets, bedding, and soft toys in hot water and dry them thoroughly. If the infestation is severe, you may want to throw away older or heavily infested items.
• Dispose of your vacuum contents outdoors: After you’ve finished vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag or canister contents in a plastic trash bag and take it straight to an outside bin. This keeps any remaining fleas from escaping and re-infesting your space.
• Clear treatment areas: Move clutter, boxes, and small furniture items out of the way so your technician can access all areas that need to be treated. The easier it is to reach every spot, the more complete your treatment will be.
• Plan to leave during service: Everyone, including pets, should leave the home during treatment. Fish tanks can remain if they’re covered securely and the air pump is unplugged.

After the Treatment

• Wait for surfaces to dry completely: Once the product has dried, you can return home and resume normal activities. Keep children and pets off treated surfaces for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
• Avoid mopping or carpet cleaning for at least a week: The product needs time to continue working against developing fleas. Steam cleaning or mopping too early can reduce its effectiveness.
• Expect to see some fleas: It’s normal to spot a few adult fleas for up to two weeks after treatment. These are newly hatched fleas emerging from protective pupae cocoons, and the treatment is designed to eliminate them once they’re active.
• Coordinate with your vet: Flea control for your home and pets go hand in hand. Pest control professionals treat your environment, but your veterinarian needs to provide flea prevention and treatment for your pets.

What to Expect in the Following Days

Fleas thrive in multiple environments, on pets, indoors, and outside. To prevent reinfestation, all three areas need attention. Ask your pest control technician about outdoor treatments, and discuss year-round flea prevention with your vet.

• In the days after your appointment, you may notice a temporary increase in flea activity. Don’t worry, this means the product is doing its job by forcing hidden fleas out of their cocoons.
• Vacuum daily for at least a week to help remove adult fleas and encourage any remaining pupae to hatch, making them vulnerable to treatment. Focus on your pet’s favorite resting spots, as well as baseboards, rugs, and under furniture.
• Empty your vacuum outside after each use, sealing the contents in a plastic bag.
• Wash pet bedding frequently using the hottest water and dryer settings.
  If your pets are on vet-approved flea medication, they’ll help stop new fleas from surviving, turning them into an important part of your flea elimination plan.

Treatment Depends on Preparation and Follow-Up

Every step before and after treatment makes a difference. It might sound like extra work, but staying consistent is crucial to the flea control process:

• Pre-treatment vacuuming loosens hidden eggs and larvae, allowing the treatment to reach them more effectively.
• Post-treatment vacuuming accelerates the process by hatching resistant cocoons and exposing new fleas to the insecticide.
• Consistent pet care removes the fleas’ food source, ensuring the infestation can’t start over.

Protect Your Home From Fleas Today

At Heron Home And Outdoor, we’re dedicated to helping homeowners in Orlando enjoy pest-free living. Preparing properly before treatment, and following simple aftercare steps, can make all the difference in achieving full flea elimination.

If you have any questions before or after your scheduled appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our technicians are happy to walk you through every step, so you can have lasting results.