Fleas are a standard part of life in many areas of the world. Anytime we venture outside we may be exposed to them. From encounters with bush, animals, pets, and other places where fleas may be residing we too can become a carrier for them. When we are, then we have the misfortune of bringing them inside our homes and having a need to get rid of them. So we need the best vacuum for Fleas?
We know that we have to use measures to clean them from our bodies, clothes, and pets. However, there is a significant part of our home we often forget when it comes to fleas. Mattresses, Carpets, and floors are great places for fleas to hide and escape our attempts to rid them. If you have a flea or a mite infestation or just need to keep them at bay, you’ll need the best vacuum for fleas to rid them from your floors. Here’s a selection of the vacuums we looked at to help with the task of freeing your home of these nasty little biting bugs.
Picture | Name | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | $$$ | 4.1 | |
 | $$$ | 4.1 | |
 | $$ | 4.5 | |
 | $ | 3.9 | |
 | $ | 4.8 | |
 | $$ | 4.5 | |
 | $$ | 4.5 | |
 | $ | 4.2 | |
 | $ | 4.1 | |
 | $ | 4.8 |
Recommended Best Vacuum for Fleas Reviews
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Dyson is well known for their ball type vacuum cleaners, and this entry is one of those styles. The Dyson Ball helps swivel the cleaner head in almost any direction so that you can reach areas more comfortable and without as much maneuvering. This Dyson vacuum also has an active base plate, which means it detects the type of floor you’re using it on and adjusts the height accordingly, so it’s always set to the optimum position. This model is a bagless cleaner, which means it collects dirt into a plastic chamber that is removed and emptied.
Bagless vacuums save costs as bags are always purchased separately, adding more to what is needed to be spent. The DC41 includes several attachments and an extendable wand on a four-foot hose. These tools make it easier to clean in corners, along baseboards, and on stairs. The vacuum also has a 35-foot cord that makes cleaning several rooms in one pass quick and easy.
The drawbacks we noticed were that the wand doesn’t have a comfortable handle, making it difficult to hold at times. Dislodging the catch that holds the vacuum upright is difficult as well. There’s no button or switch to change the position, you just yank on the handle to pull it down, which feels like it could damage the vacuum over time.
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Built for use on bare floors and carpeting, the NV356E is a lightweight upright that comes with a lot of power. This is Built with a HEPA filter, this vacuum is designed to trap dust and allergens without fail. The power combined with the HEPA filter ensures that if you have a flea problem, they won’t escape this tool. Built for use on bare floors and carpeting, the NV356E is a lightweight upright that comes with a lot of power.
This Vacuum is built with a HEPA filter, this vacuum is designed to trap dust and allergens without fail. The power combined with the HEPA filter ensures that if you have a flea problem, they won’t escape this tool. One of the most notable features of this Shark Navigator is the lift-away feature. By pressing a button, the user can separate the vacuum head from the canister, while still in use, so that the head can reach into awkward spaces more efficiently.
One of the accessories that’s included is the pet power brush, a tool included with several models that are specifically designed to remove pet hair from upholstery and other areas. This is a significant benefit when it comes to cleaning parts of the home where pets may track pests in along with their hair.
Another feature that is home friendly is the brush roll shut off. Being able to turn the brush roll on and off makes it easier to switch from bare floors to carpet and back again. Vacuuming bare floors is more effective when the brush is not spinning. The biggest issue we had was with the high pitch whine the vacuum makes, rather than just a growl, the noise level is more annoying than other vacuums.
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This is one of the lightest vacuums we used, and the mobility of a canister vacuum can’t be beaten by an upright. With the long hose and want separating the head of the vacuum from the canister body for all uses, that means you can reach anywhere the entire time it’s in use.
Eureka built this vacuum with a HEPA filter as well as being a bagged version. While that makes it better for catching dust and allergens, it does mean you’ll have additional costs in replacing bags when they wear out.
The good thing is the bags for this canister vacuum are reusable after being emptied so they can last much longer depending on how much they are expected to pick up. For cleaning curtains and upholstery, this Eureka Mighty Mite Vacuum was the easiest to use that we reviewed. The lightweight wand always being in your hand as you vacuum means it is still ready to clean furniture and drapes.
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Hoover added as many user-friendly features to this vacuum as they could fit. It is a bagless vacuum that includes multiple accessories to handle as many surfaces and tight spaces as possible. The best accessory for pet owners is the pet hair removal tool. It removes embedded hair from furniture better than other handheld attachments. It also features an automatic cord return, where it automatically rewinds the cord itself. This saves time from having to hand wind or coil the cord after use.
Along with a foot pedal for the cord return, there is a foot pedal that stops the brush roll as well. Turning off the brush roll makes this vacuum ideal for cleaning bare floors easier. Hoover also added a system check light which lets the user know when the canister is full and needs to be emptied. Checking the lights before use will ensure the canister never gets too full, and it also tells you when filters need to be changed too.
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If you’re looking for a smaller vacuum than the full canister or upright vacuums above, then this is the vacuum for you. While this vacuum is not designed for full floor cleaning, it’s excellent for upholstery, stairs and vehicle interiors. If you let your pets ride in the car, this is one of the best vacuums for trapping hair and pests that they leave behind.
Featuring HEPA filtration to ensure dust and allergens stay trapped, the intense power of this little vacuum makes sure whatever it picks up stays picked up. It’s easy to carry and hold thanks to the ergonomic handle. It uses a bagless, cyclonic system to pick up and hold dirt. This style of vacuum does not use a brush roll, so while it’s great on hard surfaces and furniture fabrics, it has a tougher time removing dirt from carpeting. When used on carpeted stairs, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser did still function well, just not as well as some of the other models with brush attachments.
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Our Verdict
When it comes to choosing the best vacuum for fleas from those that we looked at and reviewed, there is one that stands out the most. After looking at power, total cost, accessories, dirt containment and versatility, the Dyson DC41 had what we were looking for.
While the Dyson met the most wanted aspects we were looking for, it still had its detractions. For some, it may not be the right fit, so it’s essential to see through all of the reviews and check out each vacuum individually to see if what you’re getting is right for you. Please check out the included links for each vacuum, and see what else they have to offer.
What to Look for When Buying a Vacuum For Fleas
Most vacuums are tools that will be used year round and for any type of cleanup necessary. That means that while you may need something for flea control now, you won’t need it for that later. That’s why it’s rare to see much information directly in the product information about flea removal. Since there may not be much information in regards to that, here are some things to look for that indicate how well the vacuum will do for what you need.
Filtration and Dirt Collection
The better the filter and the dirt collection process the vacuum has, the more likely it will hold other pests as well. While bagless models are cheaper in the long run, sometimes those bags work better at keeping in dirt and dust. Make sure that the vacuum you choose has a well-sealed canister if it’s a bagless version. If it uses a HEPA filter thats is a strong indication that it will provide the containment you need and, Helps With Clean Air when using the vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum Size
To know what size of vacuum you need, you have to think about the size of the space you'll be using it in. Larger vacuums can usually hold more, and work longer, meaning they are better for big homes and apartments. Whereas a smaller vacuum, like the handheld Bissell Pet Hair Eraser, is better suited for spot cleaning in smaller areas of a house. Storage space is another factor when it comes to vacuums, as bigger models need more space to be stored away. If you have just a small studio apartment, you don’t want the vacuum taking up space that could be better utilized for other things.
Multiple Surface Usage
Many of the vacuums we reviewed were explicitly made to use on different types of surfaces without struggling. It is essential when it comes to flea control because most homes have more than one kind of floor surface. Whether its carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile or any other hard surface; fleas can hide away on any of them. If there is hair piled up somewhere, then that’s a likely spot they may still be hanging out. If your home has more than one type of flooring, be sure you get a vacuum that can handle each different type, or you’ll be missing some crucial areas.
Accessories and Attachments
Again this depends on your home and lifestyle as to what kinds of tools you’ll need with the vacuum. If you have lots of furniture, or hard to reach areas. And have pets and or other individual things to deal with, then you’ll want more tools for that particular purpose. If your home has a simple layout, it’s unlikely you’d need to get these extra tools. If so then you may want to go with a vacuum that is more cost effective by leaving the accessories out. Usually, when it comes to flea control, They enter the home via a family member or perhaps a pet. Most of the best vacuums for fleas will include pet attachments made with pets in mind.
Vacuuming fleas with bagless vacuums?
Depending on the floor type you have in your home the will depend on how a flea larvae egg will survive. Hard floors such as wood and tile floor will be better than say carpet at preventing the spread of the fleas. If you are using bagless vacuums because you are emptying it regularly in the bin, you would expect this to be enough to keep the fleas at bay. We would recommend using a sanitizing spray. Also washing the bagless vacuums tank out with hot water with detergent, to ensure it kept as clean as possible. It can be difficult to see the flea larvae with the naked eye if you are vacuuming fleas with bagless vacuums.
If the vacuum you've chosen has a bag with it; once the bag needs emptying the suggested method is to take the unit to a well-ventilated area preferably outside. It is then advised to put the dust bag into a plastic sealed bag for double protection against the fleas returning to into home. Generally speaking good housekeeping and washing and emptying your bagless vacuum on a regular basis is good practice for keeping out the fleas.
Does Vacuuming Kill Fleas?
The simple answer is yes, but does vacuuming kill fleas entirely no. That is because the fleas larvae live in the carpet or flooring in the home. So controlling fleas in our homes is the best we can hope to achieve for most of the time. This is done by regularly vacuuming, When we use the vacuum, it disturbs the carpet area which allows the adult fleas to hatch out. So then they can be vacuumed up which then kills the fleas. The more often this vacuuming is done, let's say every other day or so, will help to get rid of fleas.
Flea under the microscope
Up close with the enemy
How do you get rid of fleas in your carpet?
Step 1
You can wash the carpet first before then vacuuming to kill the fleas, avoid using chemicals, especially if you have pets. There are other options than using harmful chemicals. Maybe try using salt, or a vinegar and water mixture can work well. Lemons are also supposed to be quite good too. The fleas don't like the smell, similar to how a mosquito doesn't like the citronella oils. You can cut the lemons up and make a juice with water and then sprinkle or spray the carpet areas then leave for 24 hours, before using the vacuum for fleas to kill the little critters.
Step 2
Then you would need to vacuum the carpet thoroughly, making sure you get right up to the edges using the tool attachment nozzle. Ensure that you cover all areas especially in the corners so to get rid of the fleas in your carpet. Depending on how much of the problem the fleas are in your carpet, you will need to do this process daily to start with, reducing this to every other day. It is also worth doing this on the upholstery and furniture at the same time as this can also be an area the fleas will lay their eggs.
Step 3
Once you have completed this task it's time to clean up. To do this, you will need to dispose of any cleaning bags outside, make sure they are sealed to keep the fleas from returning back inside the home. Finally, give the vacuum tank and cleaning heads a soapy wash in hot water. So how do you get rid of fleas in your carpet? By following these steps, it will help with your flea problem.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Fleas
Once fleas are discovered on your pets or in the home, we automatically want to get rid of them entirely and as we have mentioned above total eradication can be extremely difficult to achieve. But along with the ideas for keeping your carpet clear of fleas, we have discussed a few home remedies to get rid of fleas that can also help in this battle with these nasty little bloodsuckers.
Ongoing Flea Control Measures
Just like our pets need regular flea treatment to keep the fleas at bay, our homes are just the same. Unfortunately, due to the life cycle of the flea, believe it or not, 95% of the fleas are in an immature stage. It means that until they mature into adult fleas, they are not able to be treated as well as the active adult fleas. Along with using a vacuum for fleas there are a few tried and tested home remedies that can be used alongside the vacuuming techniques to help with this problem. Let's take a look at them now.
Herb Remedies Fleas
Rosemary
It's a common herb usually used for cooking and is available in most kitchens, part of the mint family of herbs it has a woody evergreen smell to it which the fleas don't care for much. The rosemary can be ground down in a spice mortar, and other herbs like peppermint can then be added, this can be sprinkled on the carpet, It can act as an excellent repellent..
For making bigger batches, it can be added to water and boiled; this can then once cooled be sprayed on carpets and pet areas. You can also keep the Rosemary plant in the house which can be a great way to prevent and keep the fleas away. Other favorite houseplants that can help with the fleas, pests, and bugs are; Lavender, Lemon Grass, Garlic and Basil.
Top Tip.
So, you could be keeping the plants in your home or make a mixture of these to sprinkle into the carpet. Don't forget to treat the areas in the house where the pets live, such as pet bedding areas. And use the vacuum for fleas as we have discussed in this post.
Are Mites The Same As Fleas?
These two little nasties are pests in the home that we could do without that's for sure. And a question often asked is, are mites and fleas the same thing? They are different, and here's why. Fleas with an average length of 3mm are insects that move around by jumping because they don’t have wings. They are blood feeders and unfortunately for us humans and our pets once the fleas are in our home it's our blood they are after. They live in carpets and the cracks in hard floors and any type of upholstery.
Mites or dust mites are smaller in size at just 0.3mm and are classed as Arthropods to give them their scientific name. The mites living environment is the same as the fleas, but its feeding habits are different. The mites feed on dead cells of skin or fungi and molds, so don't bite and suck our blood.
Do They Carry Diseases?
Fleas carry diseases where the dust mites don’t, however, both can cause a reaction for those people who suffer allergy symptoms, which can be anything from itchy skin and sneezing to rashes and irritation.
Any allergies caused by the fleas is through their saliva when they bite you. The mites allergies are more down to our reactions to these bugs which then causes the symptoms mentioned. Fleas usually get inside our home via a pet after a walk, so having regular veterinary visits to keep the pets protection updated is advisable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can you get rid of fleas by vacuuming?
A. Not 100% but regularly using the best vacuum for fleas will help your carpets.
Q. How often to vacuum for fleas?
A. If you have pets it's recommended to vacuum for fleas every other day.
Q. How long can fleas live in carpet?
A. They can live up to 3 months if left undisturbed, the vacuum for fleas does help.
Q. Dog has fleas what to do in house?
A. Use a treatment on the dog, and vacuum the house thoroughly, empty bag contains in plastic sealed bag, and remove to the trash bin.