If you want to learn how to get rid of fleas on laminate flooring then you’re in the right place.
Our favorite technique is to use baking soda and salt, as this is the cheapest and easiest way to first attempt to get rid of the fleas. If this doesn’t work, you can consider using commercial products instead.
It’s worth learning how to prevent fleas in the first place, though, so you don’t have to worry about removing them once it is too late. Let’s jump in to the ways you can prevent fleas, where they actually come from and finally the step-by-step methods you can use to remove them.
How Do Fleas End Up On Laminate Floors?
Fleas being on laminate flooring seems a bit odd at first, surely they would prefer protected areas like carpets rather than being out in the open?
We will explain how exactly fleas manage to survive and even thrive on laminate flooring shortly, but let’s first address the main problem at hand – how do fleas actually get on to laminate flooring in the first place?
We’ve got 3 of the most common reasons for this right below.
Animals
Animals, specifically pets like cats and dogs, are the most common reason for fleas entering the house and ending up on your laminate floor.
This happens even more often if you walk your dog through fields with long grass or have an outdoor cat that roams around in similar areas. Places like this are hot spots for fleas and they will jump onto your pets in the blink of an eye if they see the chance.
Afterwards, when your pets come inside, they will unknowingly bring fleas along with them.
Humans
Fleas can also make their way onto clothes quite easily, especially during walks in fields with long grass.
This is less common than cats and dogs, as fleas do not typically feed on human blood unless there is no animal host available, but it can still happen from time to time.
By Themselves
Depending on where you live you may have quite a lot of fleas nearby anyway that can make their way into the home on their own.
This is very common on farms or other rural places, but it can also happen in residential areas near parks or fields. Fleas can simply make their way through windows or open doors straight into the house and onto laminate flooring with ease if they are close enough.
Can Fleas Survive On Laminate?
Once the fleas have made their way onto your laminate floor, can they actually survive?
Well, it depends. Fleas require a host to stay alive, such as a dog or cat. While laminate flooring provides a place for them to stay, they will eventually die if they don’t have a host to feed on.
Fleas are also likely to find gaps between the laminate floor, either those from poor installation or those that occur naturally between the flooring and baseboards, to live. This is because they prefer dark and protected areas rather than being out in the open, which is also a reason why they are commonly found in carpets as well.
So, if they manage to find cracks to hide away and have access to a host, there is a good chance that fleas could survive on laminate flooring for a good amount of time.
How To Keep Fleas Away
There are some easy things you can do to keep fleas away in the first place. Remember, keeping fleas away is a lot easier than dealing with them once they are on your laminate floor, so consider the points below carefully.
Anti-Flea Products
The most obvious tactic is to use anti-flea products on your dogs and cats. This is highly recommended by vets and something that you should be doing anyway if you have pets, but it can be easy to let this practice slide.
Remember to keep up to date with the treatments and you will save yourself, and your pets, a lot of headaches.
Avoid Long Grass on Walks
Another tactic is to avoid long grass when walking, either alone or with your dog.
Long grass can be a hive for fleas and all it takes is for one to jump onto your clothes as you walk through for them to end up in your house and on your laminate floor. Consider taking a different route or trying a different location for your next walk.
3 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Fleas On Laminate Flooring
If you already have fleas on your laminate floor, it’s time to learn how to get rid of them for good. Below we have three methods outlined, two of which requires a DIY cleaning solution and the other using a commercial product.
We decided to include both as even commercial products do not guarantee to remove all fleas, so it makes sense to try on your own first to save yourself the added cost.
DIY Solution 1
The first way involves mixing a generous amount of salt and baking powder together and then pouring this mixture all over your floor.
Use a broom or brush to spread the mixture evenly and into any cracks. You also want to make sure that any gaps between the floor and baseboard are covered as well.
Leave this mixture, ideally overnight, and then vacuum it all up. This method works great in a lot of cases and is super easy to do.
You can repeat this as many times as you want to make sure that you have dealt with all of the fleas.
DIY Solution 2
The other option you can use is to mix 1 cup of white vinegar per gallon of warm water.
This creates a solution that you can apply to your floor via mopping that will kill any fleas that get trapped within it. You need to make sure that you keep the water clean and dispose of any waste correctly with this method, but it is a cheap way to get rid of fleas.
You can also do this method after method 1 if you want to ensure that you kill as many fleas as possible.
Commercial Product
The other option is to use a branded cleaner such as Borax to clean your floor and simultaneously get rid of any fleas. This option is more expensive, but it can be worthwhile if you already have some floor cleaner at home.
Simply mix up the solution according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and you should be ready to go!
Final Thoughts
Learning how to get rid of fleas on laminate flooring is no easy task, but hopefully, you have a good idea of how to get the job done after reading this article.
If you have any other methods that you have tried then don’t hesitate to get in touch and let us know, we are always looking to learn more!