Best Vacuums for Fleas in 2021
Fleas are super annoying and very persistent. It feels like you won’t ever get them out regardless of what you try. However, having the best vacuum for fleas can make a difference.
Although it seems like an impossible task, you can eliminate fleas with an efficient vacuum cleaner and a consistent cleaning schedule.
The key is in breaking the reproduction cycle, preventing new pests from appearing over again.
You might want to read the article below to discover best vacuums for fleas. We’ll discuss features, specifications as well as all the buying factors you should consider.
Short on time? No problem – we’ve narrowed down our list for you:
- Our Top Pick for Fleas: Bissell 9595a Cleanview Upright with Onepass
- Best Multi-Surface Flea Vacuum: Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet Friendly
- Anti-Allergen HEPA Filter Option: Shark TruePet NV752
- Powerful Suction and Reliable Filtration: Shark NV501
- One of the Best Options for Pet Mess and Fleas: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A
| Product Name | Filtration | Weight | Cord Length/Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bissell 9595a Cleanview Upright with Onepass | Multi-Level | 15 lbs | 25 ft |
| Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet Friendly | Triple-HEPA | 20 lbs | 35 ft |
| Shark TruePet NV752 | HEPA | 15 lbs | 30 ft |
| Shark NV501 | HEPA Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology | 15.5 lbs | 25 ft |
| Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A | SmartSeal Allergen System | 18 lbs | 30 ft |
| Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 | Whole-machine HEPA | 15.6 lbs | 31 ft |
| Dyson V7 Motorhead | HEPA | 5.3 lbs | 30 min |
| Housmile Bed Vacuum Cleaner Upgraded 836 UV | HEPA | 5.45 lbs | 16.4 ft |
Our Top 8 Vacuums for Fleas
Bissell 9595a Cleanview Upright with Onepass
(Our Top Pick for Fleas)
The Bissell 9595a is among the best vacuums for fleas from the company. It’s bagless with great suction and a TurboBrush for upholstery, stairs, furniture, and more.
The best thing about this powerful vacuum for fleas is its innovative brush design. Combined with Cyclonic System, the brush rotates down into your carpets, picking up everything from dust, dirt, pests, and allergens.
As we said, this is a bagless vacuum for fleas. Its dirt cup has a capacity of 2.2L, so you won’t have to empty it as frequently. However, it’s best if you empty it after each use so that it’s always ready.
Bissell 9595a vacuum for fleas features multi-level filtration combined with a washable foam tank filter. It comes with a 6′ long hose, allowing you to clean surfaces such as a couch, stairs, and chairs.
What are the pros and cons of the Bissell 9595a? Find out here.
Kenmore Elite 31150 Pet Friendly
(Best Multi-Surface Flea Vacuum)
Kenmore Elite 31150 is a pet-friendly upright vacuum for fleas. It removes everything from dust and dirt to dander, fleas and their eggs.
It’s a versatile vacuum for fleas designed for both hard floors and carpets. Its wide cleaning head measures 12.75”, which makes it easy to clean more on the initial pass.
Plus, this vacuum cleaner for fleas comes with an aluminum wand that extends to 10′. The package also includes a crevice tool, a dusting brush, and another bare floor tool.
It features HEPA filtration that’s among the most efficient options when it comes to flea control. It traps up to 99.97% of pests, dust, dander, hair, and other allergens.
Another thing worth noting is its Pet Handimate. It’s an air-driven turbine that spins the roller brush to high RPM, picking up even the most embedded dirt.
Specifications
- Filtration: Triple-HEPA filter
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Cord Length: 35 ft
Discover our complete analysis of the best Kenmore vacuum cleaners here.
Shark TruePet NV752
(Anti-Allergen HEPA Filter Option)
Shark TruePet NV752 is one of the popular choices in its Rotator series. It’s a bagless upright that’s portable and easy to maneuver with. The vacuum appears large and bulky, as it weighs only 15 pounds. This may be a problem for people who have arthritis and are prone to back pain.
It’s a bagless vacuum for fleas, featuring a 1.5-quarts dust cup that’s see-through and easy to empty. The entire canister detaches, allowing you to carry the vacuum as well as to clean above-floor surfaces. Its brush continues to spin even when you separate the canister.
This vacuum for fleas features Anti Allergen Complete Seal Technology along with a HEPA filter.
For more info on this model, check out our dedicated review of the Shark TruePet NV752.
Shark NV501
(Powerful Suction and Reliable Filtration)
Shark NV501 flea vacuum is another powerful and efficient vacuum from the company’s Rotator series. It’s among the best vacuums for fleas and their eggs due to its suction power and reliable filtration.
It’s a bagless vacuum, but it can also work as a canister vacuum thanks to Shark’s Lift-Away technology. It allows you to remove the dust cup, which makes it easier to clean above-floor surfaces. This is excellent for getting rid of fleas on your furniture.
This flea vacuum features HEPA filtration and Anti Allergen Complete Seal Technology. The two trap even the tiniest and most persistent particles, ensuring that none of that ends up in your breathing space.
The Rotator technology and swivel steering helps with maneuverability even though this flea vacuum weighs some 15 pounds and is considered a bit heavy.
Specifications
- Filtration: HEPA & Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Weight: 15.5 lbs
- Power Cord Length: 25 ft
Need more details? See our complete review of the Shark NV501.
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A
(One of the Best Options for Pet Mess and Fleas)
The 1650A flea vacuum is among the best vacuum cleaner options for fleas and pet hair. It’s made of metal and durable plastic, so it’s suitable for frequent use.
This flea vacuum features a tangle-free brush roll that spins to pick up even the most embedded dirt, pests, pet hair, dander, and allergens. It also comes with a 2-in-1 pet brush and a Pet Turbo Eraser tool.
It’s worth noting that you can shut the brush off when cleaning hardwood and other delicate surfaces. You should also turn it off when cleaning larger particles to prevent scattering.
Its cleaning path is 12,37 inches wide. On top of that, the Bissell 1650A Eraser flea vacuum has five height settings to make it easier to clean different surfaces. It helps with transitioning from bare floors to carpets and the other way around.
Specifications
- Filtration: SmartSeal Allergen System
- Weight: 18 lbs
- Power Cord Length: 30 ft
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2
You can only get rid of flea eggs and pet hair with powerful suction and reliable filtration, which is precisely what this Dyson delivers. It’s a bagless upright vacuum, featuring a self-adjusting head and the brand’s innovative Ball technology.
Its .42-gallon dust bin is large enough so that you don’t have to empty it as frequently. It’s easy to remove, empty, and wash when needed as well.
The vacuum is quite easy to maneuver with although it weighs over 15 pounds. Ball Technology makes it easy to work the vacuum around different obstacles such as furniture legs.
It features a self-cleaning head that’s suitable for carpets as well as hard floors. Also, Radial Cyclone Technology ensures that even the most embedded dirt ends up in its dust bin.
Specifications
- Filtration: Whole-machine HEPA filter
- Weight: 15.6 lbs
- Cord Length: 31 ft
We reviewed the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2, and here’s what we found.
Dyson V7 Motorhead
If you’re looking for a high quality stick vacuum for fleas, you should check this Dyson vacuum cleaner. It’s among the best for flea control as well as removing dander, dust, dirt, pet hair, and other similar particles.
It’s a good vacuum to go for if you’re looking for convenience and ease of use. In other words, this cordless and bagless vacuum cleaner has an unlimited reach and a long-lasting battery life.
Make sure to charge it at least 3.5 hours before first use. With each charging, you’ll get some 30 minutes of run time or 6 minutes in MAX mode. MAX mode is the best for adult fleas and flea eggs, driving stiff nylon bristles into the surface.
This bagless vacuum cleaner has a 0.14-gallon dust bin that’s easy to empty. However, it’s quite small, so you’ll probably have to empty it after each use.
Housmile Bed Vacuum Cleaner Upgraded 836 UV
The Housmile is primarily a handheld vacuum cleaner, although it looks a bit unusual at first glance. It has a wider-than-usual cleaning head, and it also works as a stick vacuum. Unlike most handheld vacuum cleaners, this one is corded, featuring a 16.4′ long cable.
It uses a 253.7nm UV tube along with 130°F high-temperature to remove adult fleas, eggs, and other pests. For this reason, it’s more efficient for eliminating pests than dust, so you’ll probably need another vacuum for that.
This high quality handheld vacuum features HEPA filtration, capturing up to 99.97% of small particles. It ensures that all the allergens and mites remain inside the vacuum without going back to your breathing space.
Another excellent thing about this bed cleaner is its telescoping wand. It extends to 35.4 inches, making it easier to get to hard-to-reach areas.
Considerations When Buying The Best Vacuum for Fleas
Removing fleas isn’t the simplest task because fleas can be quite stubborn and persistent. Flea problem becomes even more challenging if your pet still has fleas, and they keep reproducing.
While you should treat your pet as soon as possible, you should also pay special attention to your hardwood floors and carpets.
Choosing the ideal vacuum for your needs may not be as simple. Luckily, we prepared a little buyer’s guide for you, so make sure to check it out.
Suction
Suction power is an essential factor regardless of the type of vacuum you’re looking for. It’s equally as critical when buying an upright as well as a canister vacuum. For this reason, you should double-check this before purchasing a vacuum for fleas.
It should have strong suction power so that it can eliminate all the dust mites , pests, and pet hair. As we mentioned, fleas are persistent and stubborn, which is why only a vacuum with strong suction power can get rid of them.
Beater Bar
A beater bar is worth considering if you have at least one carpet. It helps to dig deeper into the carpet fibers, making it easier to extract all the stubborn fleas.
However, a beater bar isn’t the safest tool to use on some carpet types. Although it’s safe for most area rugs, you should avoid using it on a plush carpet.
Look for a vacuum cleaner that has an option to shut the beater bar off when cleaning a more delicate carpet.
Maneuverability & Ease of Use
Look for a vacuum cleaner that has swivel steering and is easy to use on hardwood floors as well as carpets. Make sure that you can reach all the critical areas with or without extra accessories.
Attachments
When it comes to attachments, you don’t need much to clean your carpet or hardwood floors. However, you’ll need a few accessories and hose attachments to clean upholstery, furniture, and pet hair.
Attachments like a crevice tool and pet brushes can help with removing fleas from tight and hard-to-reach areas. Some vacuums for fleas come with several accessories, while others come with none. You should keep this in mind as it depends on the manufacturer.
Pets
Pet owners are at a higher risk of having to deal with a flea problem at some point. If you have a pet, you should look for a vacuum cleaner that can pick up pet hair and dander as well.
Pets can easily make big messes, which is why you should have a good vacuum to help you clean. Getting rid of eggs, larvae, and fleas that lay eggs is essential, but you want to get rid of pet hair and dander as well.
Filtration
Filtration is among those vital factors you should consider when looking for this type of vacuum cleaner. You want a vacuum cleaner to capture all the pests, flea eggs, allergens, and pet hair, ensuring all of that is safely trapped inside.
To this day, a HEPA filter is your safest option, even more so if you’re prone to allergies. Pet owners and allergy-prone people can benefit the most from a HEPA filter.
Dealing with Fleas: All the Tips & Tricks You Need
Fleas are quite tricky to get rid of in general, although a bare floor may be easier to clean than carpeted areas. As we mentioned, you may need to do more than just use a vacuum for fleas.
Read below as we explain what fleas are and how to control them.
How to Control Fleas Using a Vacuum
You want to ensure you have a vacuum cleaner for flea infestations that has strong suction power and adjustable height settings. It also has efficient filtration that’s easy to wash/replace.
You should also consider having a cleaning schedule. Fleas are highly persistent and challenging to get rid of. For this reason, you need to keep cleaning until you finally remove them.
These pests reproduce quite quickly, which is why you should clean every day. It may sound daunting, but it’s the only way to remove them.
On top of that, you should always clean your vacuum once you’re done cleaning. Don’t just drop the contents into your trash can. Instead, drop them in a sealable bag before throwing the bag away.
Vacuuming usually kills fleas, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
How to Treat Premises
Your carpet and bare floors aren’t the only areas where a flea can live. While you should treat your pets and vacuum frequently, you should also take care of the premises. This is particularly critical if you’re dealing with severe flea infestation.
The first thing you should do in case of flea infestations is remove all the toys, clothes, and items you may have on your floors. Every carpet and hard floor should be accessible. Plus, you want to keep your clothes, blankets and similar items away from fleas.
If you’re going to use insecticides, you should remove pet water and food. Remove everything that you think shouldn’t be in touch with the pesticide. Check the product label for more precise instructions.
Vacuum your entire house every day, getting into all the nooks and crannies. Fleas love corners and hard-to-reach areas. You’ll find more of them in corners than in the middle of your carpet.
How to Use Insecticides & Flea Traps
You should always read the instructions that are on the container. Although most of these products have the same role, some are meant to be used differently than others.
Most efficient insecticides have imidacloprid, permethrin, or dinotefuran. These ingredients kill adult fleas, preventing the reproduction and development of new larvae.
Treat all areas, especially those where your pets spend the most time. Apply the insecticide on your carpet, throw rugs, behind and under furniture, and all the corners.
Keep in mind that you should use these chemicals carefully. Have your pets and children away from the area at the time of applying the product. Also, only use the product as instructed by the manufacturer.
Flea traps are a little less common, but still quite effective. They use a light and glue board to capture fleas, monitoring the entire treatment. Although traps can help the process, they can’t eliminate fleas unless in combination with another method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What to put in vacuum to kill fleas?
A: You may have heard of products that you should put in your vacuum to help it get rid of fleas. These products do exist, but the truth is that you don’t need them.
In other words, the sole process of vacuuming kills fleas. You don’t need anything else but a vacuum with suction power and excellent filtration to get rid of fleas, eggs, and larvae
Q:
How often should I vacuum to get rid of fleas?
A: As we pointed out earlier, vacuuming is among the most critical steps you should take. And you also want to have a precise cleaning schedule.
You should start by vacuuming every day. Although this sounds daunting, it’s often the only way of removing fleas from your floors.
Q:
Can fleas live in a vacuum?
A: Vacuuming kills all the flea eggs, pupae, and larvae. It kills most adult fleas, although not all of them, which is one of the reasons why you should vacuum every day.
Strong suction, rolling brushes, and fans throw the fleas against the internal surfaces of your vacuum. This kills the majority of them, so you don’t have to add any insecticides to the dust bin/bag. Some people freeze or burn vacuum bags as well, but that is entirely unnecessary.
If you have a canister vacuum that uses dust bags and you’re afraid that some fleas may have survived, you can place the bag in a new sealable bag before throwing it away.
Conclusion
Although it may seem that you’ll never remove fleas from your house, having the right one makes all the difference. It doesn’t matter whether you choose a stick, canister or upright vacuum as long as it’s one of the best vacuums for fleas.
Flea removal can take a while, depending on how severe the infestation is. Plus, treating a carpet may be a bit trickier than removing fleas from bare floors.
Still, don’t let any of this discourage you. Fleas, like many other pests, don’t stand a chance against either one of the best vacuums for fleas we reviewed above. These are the best that the market has to offer, and we’re sure that at least one matches your needs and preferences.
Find yourself the best vacuum cleaner for fleas while keeping in mind the buying factors we discussed. The information in the buyer’s guide can help you choose if you haven’t already.
Sources and Resources
- Cat Fleas’ Journey Into The Vacuum Is A ‘One-way Trip’
– https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071217111010.htm
- How to get rid of fleas
– https://www.popsci.com/get-rid-fleas/
