It’s not very well-known that fleas are highly-adaptable insects. They can even survive without eating for two weeks! That’s why getting rid of them can be quite a nuisance, even if you don’t have any pets. The good news is that there are many different flea killers available, and choosing the right one can make all the difference.
We’ve considered both sprays and powders because their application methods are vastly different, and so are their results. Active ingredients, such as permethrin or pyriproxyfen, have proven to be highly effective against fleas, so you should be looking for them if you want to see the best performance possible. If you’re looking for a milder, all-organic option, there are essential oil-based products. We’ve also considered how easy these flea killers are to use, how much smell they generate and whether they’re safe for children and pets.
Other features: stable in U.V. light, effective for up to 7 months
The BASF Ultracide Pressurized Flea Insecticide is our Editor’s Choice because, in our opinion, it’s simply the best option on the market as of now. It’s incredibly effective against fleas in all life stages, as well as ticks, and it can prevent further infestation for up to seven months. When it comes to active ingredients, this spray contains 0.05% pyrethrins, 0.4% permethrin, and 0.1% pyriproxyfen – all of which are known to be effective against pests. Unfortunately, these chemicals result in a medium-strength smell, though we believe it’s worth the trade-off considering how well this product works. The BASF Ultracide Pressurized Flea Insecticide comes in a 20 oz. can and is easy to use, making it a great option for those who want an effective flea spray that’s also user-friendly and pet-safe.
Both the BASF Ultracide Pressurized Flea Insecticide and the Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Carpet Spray contain permethrin. Additionally, these chemicals can stop pest reinfestation on your carpet and upholstery for up to seven months. However, the former comes with a volume of 20 ounces while the latter has a volume of 16 ounces.
Other features: prevents flea infestations for up to 7 months; works for carpets, rugs, drapes, upholstery, pet bedding, and floor cracks; odorless after drying; stainless
The Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Carpet Spray is another spray that has proven to be effective against fleas. This product contains 0.4% permethrin, 0.4% n-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, 0.1% pyriproxyfen, 0.05% pyrethrins, and 0.035% related compounds as its active ingredients, making it a powerful tool against fleas. Spraying this on carpets, rugs, drapes, upholstery, pet bedding, and even floor cracks can help prevent flea infestations for up to 7 months. And, even though there’s a noticeable odor chemical smell right after application, this product is odorless after drying, making it ideal for homes with children or pets. Even though this product is a tried-and-tested option, some users report that a single application was not sufficient and that they needed to reapply the product at least one more time in order to achieve desired results. Nevertheless, the Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Carpet Spray remains a popular choice for many homeowners looking for an effective flea killer.
The Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Carpet Spray and the PetArmor Home Carpet Powder for Fleas and Ticks on our list are similar since they can prevent flea infestation on your carpet for a period of up to seven months. The main difference between the two chemicals is that the Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Carpet Spray produces a mild smell immediately after application. However, the smell goes away once it dries. PetArmor on the other hand has a clean fresh scent.
Other features: 7-month reinfestation prevention, freshens and deodorizes carpets
For those who want a powdered flea killer for carpets, our choice is the PetArmor Home Carpet Powder for Fleas and Ticks. The active ingredients of this product are 0.2% pyriproxyfen, 0.1% pyrethrins, and 0.5% n-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide. These kill fleas, ticks, and their eggs, larvae, and pupae, as well as dust mites and lice, making this product quite universal in its applications. The powder is easy to use – you just need to sprinkle it on the carpet and vacuum it up after a few hours. This will not only kill fleas and their larvae but will also prevent reinfestation for up to 7 months. Besides, the PetArmor Home Carpet Powder for Fleas and Ticks freshens and deodorizes carpets with its fresh scent, making your home not only flea-free but also pleasantly smelling.
The PetArmor Home Carpet Powder for Fleas and Ticks and the Wondercide Flea, Tick and Mosquito Spray are effective for disrupting the lifecycle of fleas. However, Wondercide can be used directly on cats, dogs and even people unlike PetArmor. PetArmor also needs you to stay out of areas after application for 24-hours.Yes PetArmor has its shortcomings but it works for upto 1-year unlike Wondercide which needs constant reapplication depending on the pest pressure.
Other features: non-harsh formula, pet- and kid-safe
If you’re looking for a safe and non-harsh way to get rid of fleas, Wondercide Flea, Tick and Mosquito Spray is a great option. Even though not fully organic, this spray includes natural ingredients like cedarwood oil and lemongrass oil that are effective in killing fleas, ticks and mosquitoes at all life stages. And since it’s pet- and kid-safe, you don’t have to worry about your loved ones getting exposed to harmful chemicals. This product comes in multiple sizes: 4 oz., 16 oz., 32 oz., and 1 gallon, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. Wondercide Flea, Tick and Mosquito Spray is also environmentally safe and won’t be harmful to the planet.
Both the Wondercide Flea, Tick and Mosquito Spray and the Hartz UltraGuard Plus come in spray form, they both eliminate the entire flea lifecycle, and both chemicals also come in 16oz bottles. However, the former also comes in 4 oz, 32 oz and 1-gallon bottles. Moreover, you can apply Wondercide directly on pets unlike Hartz Ultraguard.
Other features: eliminates odor, prevents reinfestation
Hartz UltraGuard Plus is an affordable spray that is effective against fleas, ticks, flea eggs, flea larvae and pupae. Active ingredients of this products include 0.4% phenothrin, 0.015% pyriproxyfen, 1.0% piperonyl butoxide and 1.0% N-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide. This product also eliminates odor and prevents reinfestation. Even though the manufacturer claims that this product has a fresh smell, we and other users found it rather strong and overpowering. Otherwise, this 16-oz. bottle will last you for a while and will effectively kill fleas on your carpet.
The Hartz UltraGuard Plus and the BASF Ultracide Pressurized Flea Insecticide are pet safe but not to be used directly on pets. They are also both spray flea killers for easier application. However, there is a difference in that when Hartz eliminates the entire lifecycle, BASF is only effective against flea eggs, larvae, and adult fleas. It does not work on flea pupae.
When buying a flea killer for your carpets, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is whether you want to use a spray or a powder. Not only these two are applied differently, but there are also different precautions that need to be taken when using them. Next, you’ll need to decide what active ingredients you want in your flea killer. While most flea killers contain potentially hazardous chemicals, there are multiple natural or at least less harsh chemical options available. Last, but not least, the smell might be crucial if you have sensitive nostrils or children and pets in the house. Finally, all these factors should be looked at through a prism of your and your pet’s safety. Let’s take a deeper dive and find which products you should look for.
Flea sprays are a common choice for getting rid of fleas in the home. They come in both aerosol and pump-spray bottles and can be applied directly to the carpet. These are usually more practical for small areas and for spot-treating. The application process is also easier since you don’t have to worry about getting the powder evenly distributed and then vacuuming it up.
Powders are another popular option for killing fleas in carpeted homes. They work by dehydrating the fleas and their eggs, which kills them. The powder is applied to the carpet and then vacuumed up after a few hours. This is a good choice if you have a large area to treat or if you want to make sure all the fleas are gone. Unfortunately, using powders can be tricky since you have to be careful not to inhale them.
There is no definitive answer as to which method is better. It really depends on your individual situation and preferences, as well as the size of the area you’re treating and the amount of work you want to put in.
To get rid of fleas, you might need multiple treatments. We recommend taking a look at the best flea bombs and foggers for house to help get rid of these pests once and for all.
There are a few chemicals in flea killers that work best on carpets. These ingredients include:
Besides such chemicals, flea killers may also contain essential oils, including:
Flea killers come in a variety of different forms, but they all have one common goal – to eliminate fleas from your home. However, while they may be effective at getting rid of fleas, many of them have a strong chemical smell that can be overwhelming.
When it comes to sprays, they tend to be the worst offenders when it comes to smell, especially when applied and not fully dried out. Once dried out though, most sprays will have little to no odor, so it’s recommended to use them in well-ventilated areas and isolate kids and pets from the area until it’s dry. Powders, on the other hand, have a very distinct smell that can linger for days, even weeks if not properly vacuumed up.
When using any type of spray or powder to kill fleas on your carpet, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take all necessary precautions. Many of these sprays are highly toxic and can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Always keep children and pets away from the area that has been treated and avoid breathing in the fumes. Make sure to ventilate the room well before returning. If you’ve got spray on your skin, wash it off immediately and seek medical attention if you feel ill.
If you’re looking for safer ways to get rid of fleas, you may opt for flea traps. We have a comprehensive guide for the best flea traps, so check it out.
Fleas are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. They can be found on pets, carpeting, and furniture. Fleas can cause skin irritation and lead to the transmission of disease. Fleas are reddish-brown insects that are about 1/8 of an inch long. They have a life cycle that includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. To inhibit the life cycle of a flea, you might use one of the best IGRs for fleas we’ve selected.
Flea eggs are very small, oval-shaped, and translucent. They are often difficult to see with the naked eye. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. These eggs fall off of the host animal and into the environment, where they hatch within 2-12 days. Getting rid of flea eggs is essential to breaking the flea life cycle.
Flea killers that work for eggs are typically insecticides that contain pyrethrin or permethrin. These chemicals kill flea eggs on contact. You can also use a vacuum to remove flea eggs from your home. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag afterward to prevent the eggs from hatching.
Flea larvae are small and white, and they can be difficult to see. They are usually found in areas where pets sleep or spend a lot of time, such as on beds, couches, or carpeting. Flea larvae feed on the dried blood left behind by adult fleas. This can make them a potential health hazard for people with allergies to flea bites. To get rid of them, you will need to vacuum the area well and then use a flea killer.
The pupa stage is a crucial part of the life cycle of a flea. During this stage, the flea will undergo a radical transformation from a larva into an adult. This process is necessary for the flea to be able to reproduce and lay eggs.
Fleas in this stage are often referred to as “cocoons” because they are wrapped in a silken cocoon. The pupa stage can last anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on the species of flea and the temperature.
During the pupal stage, the flea will not feed. Once it has transformed into an adult, however, it will immediately begin to search for a host – typically, a mammal or bird. Once it finds a suitable host, the flea will bite and begin to feed on its blood.
Fleas in the pupal stage are very resistant to insecticides and other forms of treatment. This is why it is often difficult to get rid of fleas completely. If you are dealing with a flea infestation, it is important to treat all stages of the life cycle, not just the adult fleas.
Adult fleas are the most common type of flea and they can be found on both pets and humans. They are about 1/8 of an inch long and are reddish-brown in color. Adult fleas feed on blood and can cause a lot of discomfort for their hosts. They can also transmit diseases like tapeworms.
Your pet can get fleas from other animals, such as at the park, from the groomer, or even from another person’s house. The environment is also a common source of fleas, as they can live in grass, dirt, and bushes. If you live in an area with a lot of wildlife, such as near a forest or farm, there may be more fleas present in the environment. People can also carry fleas into your home on their clothes or shoes.
If you don’t have any pets and you have fleas in your home, they may have come from a person or animal who visited your home. Once fleas are in your home, they can quickly multiply and become a big problem.
Our top choice is the BASF Ultracide Pressurized Flea Insecticide due to its incredible effectiveness and longevity. Many users claim that this is the best product on the market, and we fully agree with them.
If you’re looking for a little bit more value, we recommend the Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Carpet Spray. This product is a little bit more affordable than our top choice, but there were not any sacrifices made when it comes to effectiveness and safety.
Finally, if you’re looking for a powdered flea killer, our choice is the PetArmor Home Carpet Powder for Fleas and Ticks. With its proven efficacy against flea and ticks and deodorizing properties for carpets, there’s no better powder on the market.
