Getting rid of fleas in the house

Question

As soon as I got rid of my cats, I got fleas. I think they are coming in through the basement window because that is where the most of them are.

I have sprayed all the carpet and furniture with flea spray that has insect growth regulator in it. I have put 20 mule team Borax laundry detergent on all the furniture and carpets yesteray (and I'm going to leave it there for at least a week). I've also put table salt on all the furniture and carpet, and I will vaccuum in a few days and do it all again. I've washed the hardwood floors with the flea spray. I've put a bowl of Ajax dish detergent and water on the floor with a candle in it. I've also closed all ground level windows.

Does anyone have any other ideas? I'd rather not call an exterminator, and I have no pets in the house at all. I have a baby and I don't want them biting her.

The basement is the worst, and its cement flooring. I've even covered THAT in the Borax. I can't use flea bombs because they are illegal in Canada.

Also, at any point in their life cycle can they be a clearish brown color?

Answer 1

Did you try it with a lamp...rather than a candle?

At night you put a dinner plate on the floor (preferably in the room with the worst flea problem) and put a drop of dish soap in some water on the plate. Put a lamp on the floor next to the plate. The fleas are attracted to the light and jump on the plate. Without the dish soap the water surface tension is enough that they can jump off but with the soap the sink and drown. If this is done for several nights eventually all the fleas will be gone unless more are brought in.

Also, to keep fleas off of your baby, thin slice a lemon or lime (peals and all) into two cups of water. Heat the water to boiling and let sit overnight. Sponge the child or pet in the morning with the lemon scented water, and let it dry. It will soothe the skin, smell really nice, and keep the fleas off for about 1/2 a day.

Answer 2

Use flea bombs inside your house.  One other thing you may need to do is spray the outside of your home. Go to Lowe's or home depot for what you need. steam clean your carpets. all these will help you get rid of fleas.