Can Fleas Get Into Your Clothes?
Fleas are parasites that can cause an array of issues for people and their pets. As such, it’s important to know how to protect yourself from flea infestations, including if they can get into clothes.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are tiny insects that feed on the blood of mammals, including humans. These pests can cause skin reactions, such as itching and irritation. Many people experience visible welts when bitten by fleas. Fleas may also transmit other parasites and diseases.
Can Fleas Get Into Clothes?
Fleas cannot survive much long on clothing, since they need a living host in order to survive. However, fleas could use clothes and other fabrics as a way of traveling from one host to another. If you’ve been in an environment where fleas are present, such as coming into contact with a flea-infested pet or animal, it’s possible that the fleas could get onto your clothing and transfer to another person or animal.
How to Protect Yourself From Fleas on Clothing
There are a few ways to protect yourself from fleas on clothing:
- Wash your clothes. It’s important to wash any fabrics after coming into contact with a flea-infested environment. Washing clothes and fabrics with hot water will kill any fleas that are present. It’s also important to take the clothes to a temperature of at least 60℃ (140℉).
- Vacuum carpets and furniture. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture on a regular basis in order to get rid of flea eggs and larva. Vacuum often and cover any items you leave outdoors that can be used as breeding grounds for fleas.
- Use flea repellent. Flea repellent sprays and powders are available in pet stores, garden centres, and home improvement stores. These products can help to repel fleas from furniture, carpets, and other surfaces.
- Treat your pet. If your pet is infested with fleas, it’s important to treat them in order to remove any fleas that may be living on them. Talk to your vet about the best treatment for your pet.
As you can see, fleas cannot live on clothing for long, but they can use them as a way to transfer from one person or pet to another. It’s important to take precautions to protect yourself from infestations, including washing your clothes and vacuuming carpets and furniture regularly.