Write an article based on this "Vacuum thoroughly. Wash home fabrics and bedding. Treat the rugs with an all-natural powder. Choose an insecticide. Apply the insecticide."
Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture daily to eliminate adult fleas, eggs and larvae. Don't forget to vacuum the carpet under your furniture. When vacuuming upholstered furniture, remove the cushions and vacuum all areas of the furniture, including all crevices. Afterwards, place the used vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag and throw it away in an outdoor trash can. The majority of the fleas in your house will be in the places where your pets sleep and rest. Concentrate your cleaning efforts in these areas. You should also clean the cracks and crevices around cabinets and baseboards every 1 to 2 days. Wash your pet's bedding and small rugs weekly in hot, soapy water. You may also want to wash any pillow covers, pet bedding, human bedding, and other home fabrics as well. Washing in the hottest water will kill the flea eggs. Choose from baking soda, borax, or silica gel and sprinkle the powder over any rugs or carpeting in your house. Work the powder deep into the fibers of the carpet and let it sit overnight. The powder will dehydrate fleas that live in the fibers. Vacuum the powder up the next day and be sure to empty the vacuum canister or bag to an outside dumpster. Keep any pets off of the rugs and carpets while there's powder spread on them. Only let them back on once the rugs are completely vacuumed and all the powder is removed. Look for insecticides that contain insect growth regulators, like methoprene or pyriproxyfen. Check the label to make sure that the product can be used in households with cats. If you're not sure, ask a veterinarian before using it. Realize that insecticide sprays don't kill all stages of the flea's life cycle, so you may continue to see fleas for 2 weeks after you treat. Keep vacuuming during this time to keep flea numbers down. Never use products that contain pyrethroid, permethrin, or amitraz. These can be lethal for cats. Remove all people and pets from the room (including your cat, birds, or reptiles). Cover any fish tanks with plastic wrap and turn off tank aerators. Spray the insecticide directly onto areas where your pet sleeps. You can also spray carpets, rugs, furniture, baseboards, and windowsills. Don't forget to spray the carpet under your furniture too. Keep all household members (including your pets) away from sprayed areas until the insecticide dries (usually within 24 hours). Opening your windows or turning on your air conditioning can improve ventilation and the drying time. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label of the insecticide for additional tips.