How to Get Rid of Fleas on Beds

There are a number of ways to get rid of fleas. The best method is to de-flea your mattress. You can do this with a simple vacuum, steam cleaning or vinegar and water. Elisa Pappas is the editor of Mattress Clarity. She reviews sleep products, appears in review videos, and writes about sleep science. She is also a certified sleep science coach and has published sleep tips in several publications, including Readers Digest.

The first way to identify if your bed is infested is to look for flea dirt. Flea dirt looks like black pepper-like grains, which fleas leave on your bed. You can find flea dirt by dampening a piece of paper and rubbing it against the bed. The dirt will discharge a reddish color when rubbed.

Another way to get rid of fleas is by washing your bed linen. Fleas do not like hot temperatures, so you can use a hot cycle in the washing machine. You can also use citronella oil or baking soda to kill fleas. If you have an infestation, you may have to clean the entire room, including your mattress.

You can also vacuum your mattress. Bedbugs can live on a mattress for up to a year. Once they feed, they can spread throughout the house. They may even spread to nearby linens and clothing.