Protect Yourself. Wear long plants tucked into boots or socks. For added protection, you may want to apply an insect repellent to pant legs and footwear.

Vacuum and/or Steam-Clean Infested Areas. Since most fleas reside in carpeting, it should be thoroughly cleaned. In uncarpeted areas, or where carpeting cannot be steam-cleaned, concentrate vacuuming along baseboards, under furniture, behind doors, or in other areas where dust collects and flea eggs are protected from foot traffic. See Physical Controls for more details.

Apply an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR). After completing steps 1 and 2 above, spray carpets and floor with an IGR such as methoprene or fenoxycarb (see Chemical Controls). The IGR will prevent pre-adult fleas that survive vacuuming or steam-cleaning from maturing to biting adults.

Apply an Insecticide if Needed. The first three steps described above should reduce the flea population to a very low level and keep it there while long-term measures (e.g., locating and removing wild animal flea hosts from the building) are undertaken. If sufficient control has not been achieved, apply a borate insecticide to carpeting or spot-treat infested areas with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin (see Chemical Controls). If adequate control has still not been achieved, apply a stronger insecticide, such as a synthetic pyrethroid. Follow all label directions to the letter and wear appropriate protective clothing.

Remove Any Wildlife Nesting In Or Under Building. If flea problems persist but no pet is present, check for wildlife in the vicinity of the building and remove the animal.