Quick Answer: Yes, Professional Carpet Cleaning Kills Fleas
YES - Professional Hot Water Extraction (steam cleaning) kills 95%+ of fleas at all life stages. The combination of extreme heat (150-200°F) and powerful vacuum extraction eliminates adult fleas, larvae, and eggs while removing flea dirt and allergens from your carpets.
If you're battling a flea infestation, professional carpet cleaning is one of the most effective treatments available. Unlike flea bombs that only affect exposed surfaces, steam cleaning penetrates deep into carpet fibers where fleas live and breed.
Related reading: Learn more about our professional carpet cleaning services and how we tackle tough infestations.
Why Fleas Love Your Carpet (And Why That's Good News)
Fleas don't just hop around on your carpet - they make it their permanent home. Understanding the flea lifecycle is crucial for effective elimination:
- 1Eggs (50% of infestation)Female fleas lay 20-50 eggs daily, which fall off pets into carpet fibers. Eggs hatch in 2-12 days.
- 2Larvae (35% of infestation)Larvae burrow deep into carpet backing to avoid light, feeding on organic debris and flea dirt.
- 3Pupae (10% of infestation)Larvae spin sticky cocoons that can protect them for up to 5 months until vibrations trigger emergence.
- 4Adults (5% of infestation)The fleas you see are just 5% of the problem. The other 95% is hidden in your carpet.
The Hidden Truth: For every adult flea you see jumping, there are approximately 19 eggs, larvae, and pupae hiding in your carpet. That's why killing the adults isn't enough.
How Professional Steam Cleaning Kills Fleas
Hot Water Extraction (HWE), commonly called steam cleaning, is the gold standard for flea elimination. Here's why it works so effectively:
Eggs
Flea eggs are laid in carpet fibers. Heat destroys them instantly.
Larvae
Larvae burrow deep into carpet backing. Steam penetrates and eliminates them.
Pupae
Protected by cocoons. Some may survive - hence the follow-up treatment.
Adults
Adult fleas die on contact with steam. Extraction removes the bodies.
Our 5-Step Flea Elimination Process
Pre-Treatment Inspection
We identify hotspots, severity of infestation, and areas requiring intensive treatment. Pet bedding areas and high-traffic zones get special attention.
High-Powered Vacuuming
Industrial vacuuming stimulates pupae to emerge from cocoons (vibrations mimic foot traffic) while removing loose eggs and debris.
Hot Water Extraction (The Kill Phase)
Superheated water (150-200°F) is injected deep into carpet fibers. This temperature instantly kills all fleas, eggs, and larvae on contact.
Powerful Extraction
Truck-mounted extraction removes the water along with dead fleas, eggs, larvae, flea dirt, and allergens - leaving carpets clean, not just treated.
Follow-Up Treatment (10-14 Days)
A second treatment catches any pupae that survived in cocoons and have now emerged as adults - before they can lay new eggs.
DIY Flea Treatment vs Professional Steam Cleaning
DIY Methods
DIY methods often create a cycle of re-infestation because eggs and larvae survive to breed again.
Professional Steam
Professional treatment breaks the lifecycle at every stage for complete elimination.
Signs You Have a Flea Infestation
Not sure if your carpet has fleas? Look for these telltale signs:
Jumping Insects
Tiny dark specks that jump when disturbed near carpet edges or pet areas.
Bite Marks
Itchy red bites around ankles and lower legs - fleas can't jump very high.
Flea Dirt
Black pepper-like specks in carpet that turn reddish-brown when wet (digested blood).
Pet Scratching
Excessive scratching, hair loss, or hot spots on your cat or dog.
Important: If you've seen even one flea, there are likely hundreds more in your carpet at various life stages. Early treatment prevents exponential growth.
Preventing Future Flea Infestations
After professional treatment, follow these steps to stay flea-free:
Regular Pet Treatment
Keep pets on monthly flea preventative year-round. Fleas can survive indoors even in winter.
Weekly Vacuuming
Vacuum high-traffic areas and pet zones weekly. Empty the vacuum outside immediately after.
Wash Pet Bedding
Wash pet bedding in hot water (60°C+) weekly to kill any eggs or larvae.
Annual Professional Cleaning
Schedule professional carpet cleaning every 12 months as preventive maintenance.
Flea Treatment Pricing
Up to 15m²
3 bed house typical
When booked with initial treatment (10-14 day follow-up)
All prices include pre-treatment inspection, hot water extraction, and satisfaction guarantee.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Flea Treatment Success Stories
"Our cat brought fleas home and they infested the whole house. Blowup's steam treatment was incredible - we saw dead fleas coming up with the water extraction. The follow-up visit caught the stragglers. Flea-free ever since!"
Flea Treatment Deep Clean"Tried flea bombs and sprays for weeks with no luck. One professional steam clean and the problem was 90% solved. The second treatment finished them off. Should have called Blowup first!"
Whole House Flea Treatment