Preparation — Fleas
Flea treatment almost always fails if the pet isn't treated at the same time. Here is the complete preparation, home and pet.
Preparation Steps
- 1
Have all your pets treated by a veterinarian (or with a vet-approved product) the same day or the day before treatment. This is the most important step: without it, fleas will reinfest the home within days.
- 2
Wash in hot water (60 °C) and dry on high heat all pet bedding, blankets, cushion covers and human bedding from affected rooms.
- 3
Vacuum thoroughly on ALL floors, carpets, rugs, under furniture, along baseboards and on upholstered furniture. Focus on your pet's resting areas.
- 4
Immediately dispose of the vacuum bag (or empty the canister) into a sealed garbage bag outside the house. Eggs and larvae survive inside the vacuum.
- 5
Completely clear the floors: toys, clothes, boxes, litter box, bowls. The technician must be able to treat the entire floor surface, including under furniture.
- 6
Move furniture away from walls and clear access to baseboards, carpets and the dark areas where larvae develop.
- 7
Cover or remove aquariums and turn off air pumps. Remove bird cages, rodents and other small pets from the home.
- 8
Plan to leave the home with all your pets during treatment and for 4 to 6 hours afterward. Surfaces must be completely dry before returning.
Pro Tips
- Vacuum every day for 2 to 3 weeks after treatment: vibrations trigger cocoons to hatch, and young fleas then contact the residual product.
- Also treat the inside of your car if your pet rides in it — it's a commonly overlooked reinfestation source.
- Mow the lawn and clear shaded areas of the yard where your pet lies down: fleas also develop outdoors.
- Note how long you've been seeing bites and on whom — this helps the technician assess how old the cycle is.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do NOT skip treating the pet. Treating the home without treating the dog or cat guarantees failure: the animal reseeds the home immediately.
- Do NOT shampoo carpets after treatment — you would remove the residual product that must kill fleas as they hatch over several weeks.
- Do NOT use insect bombs (foggers): they don't penetrate carpet fibers where eggs and larvae live, and give a false impression of success.
After Treatment
- 1Vacuum daily for 2 to 3 weeks, then dispose of the bag outside after each session.
- 2Do not wash treated floors or shampoo carpets for at least 14 days.
- 3Continue your pets' flea treatment according to your veterinarian's recommended schedule, year-round.
- 4It is normal to see a few fleas for up to 2 to 3 weeks after treatment: cocoons hatch progressively.
Day-by-day timeline, what's normal to see, what not to clean and when to call us back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to treat my cat or dog before the home treatment?
Why do I still see fleas after treatment?
How long must I leave the house after flea treatment?
Need help with preparation?
Our team is available to answer all your questions and guide you through your treatment preparation.