hi Joan, Yes this has happened to me a few times too.  Fleas can be gotten rid of without harsh chemicals. Keeping the place thoroughly vaccuumed is a start.  Another method is having a low pie plate or bowl filled with water and vegetable oil on the floor with a light shining on it. Leave the light on during the night.  The fleas all hop over to the light and land in the dish and drown in the oil/water mixture. In the morning you find you have captured hundreds of fleas and in no time they are all gone.  Due to the life cycle and the eggs that are still hatching daily, the thorough vaccuuming may not have sucked up all of the eggs so you may have to repeat the pie dish routine a few times til all reproducing adults are gone and all eggs have hatched.

Jo 

Joan~

PESTS are such a big concern to me. As you know, I am a land specialist, so bugs of all kinds are prevalent in my practice. That's why I really like to show land in the winter!

I had a friend who had 7 Royal (the biggest) Poodles...who lived in her home with her. She used baking soda on her carpets. Your point that sellers need to keep bugs off buyers reminds me to counsel my sellers to read your post! I've bookmarked it.

Hi Jo-Anne:  Thanks so much for your non-toxic remedy to the problem.  The listing agent is someone I know pretty well.  I am going to pass this information on to her as she didn't wan't her seller to use any harsh chemicals!  I was unaware of this technique.  Thanks so much for this tip.

Thats disgusting. If the house sits empty for a while won't they die? I thought fleas had to have a host to survive?

Hi jane-Anne -- thanks for the comment and for the simple idea of using baking soda and vacuuming on a regular basis.  Bugs are certainly pesky creatures -- and fleas, in particular, seem to multiple quickly!  I still have a lot of bites -- and my clients car is still full of fleas!  I'll pass these comments on to them.

Wow I've heard of this but I haven't experienced it yet.  Apparently some REO agents and appraisers purchase special foot and legware to keep flees off of them when going into vacant REO properties. 

Yikes - I'm guessing that put an end to your showings for the day??  I bet you were scratching some imaginary bugs for awhile even after you got cleaned up! :)

There are also Raid Foggers that you can buy at the store.  You set them off in each room, run out the door, and come back a couple of hours later.  Then vaccuum... repeat as needed. I grew up in a house that backed to a creek that was not maintained well by the city.  Every summer, the fleas would make their way to the backyard, and inadvertantly, into our house.  We would fog the place, and they would go bye-bye.

Hi Susan:  It was a very unpleasant experience -- the house was not  empty -- so I don't know how the owners are dealing with the fleas!  Perhaps with the weather conditions we had, a bunch of flea eggs hatched just before we arrived.  I don't really know how the owners were unaware of this situation. 

Rita -- I had to laugh when I read your comments -- I can just see me handing out special foot and legware to my buyers when we go look at houses!  (hee hee).  Thanks for the comments -- I would rather pass on tips to the sellers and their agents to prevent the problem in the first place.

Susan:  That certainly did put an end to the showings that day!  It has now been 3 days since the showing and we all have the bite marks and itching.  These little guys/girls were very aggressive!

 Donna:  Thanks for the information on the foggers -- however, the listing agent didn't want to go that route because many, if not all, have very harsh chemicals which get all over the house.  If the propspective buyers have allergies, she was concerned this would raise another problem all together.  Did you experience any effects from the chemicals -- are you aware of foggers that don't have the harsh chemicals?

what a shame.  I have shown a few homes that had fleas.  One was in contract when we discovered it had fleas.  It took treatments to get rid of the fleas but carpet did not have to be removed.  

Great tips.. especially the oil/water one..

yukkkkk!  Surprising that they still wanted to inquire as to getting the house. 

Is that Image Chef you're using?  Cool!

Maureen:  I guess from what my clients found out, when there is this type "invasion" it is very difficult because there are so many eggs!  I hope that I never have this experience again! 

To my friends at British Homes Group -- I hope you got some good tips from this experience and may you never have to deal with this problem!  It has been an unpleasant experience -- especially because of all of the bites.

Remember if your trying to vacuum up fleas to put at flea collar into the vacuum compartment so they actually die instead of just walking around in there and they could get out if you empty it.

Hi Maggie -- Yes, I saw your blog earlier this morning and I thought -- wow this is just what I need for the FLEA HOUSE BLOG.  I had the londonderry flea market picture I had taken before I ever encountered the FLEA HOUSE --  For those who missed Maggie's blog and what you can do with IMAGE CHEF  see Maggie's blog and what you can do with this tool.

One thing I always want to make sure is that the house my buyer do not want does not have any pets.  Remove the dog and, as in the case in your post, the fleas will still breed, everywhere.  I've seen homes that were vacant that had flees bouncing all over 3 months after the owners left.

If my buyers want a vacant house where pets lived, I make pest treatment a condition of the contract, by a licensed pest control company with a warranty paid by the seller.  It has to be done in a vacant home several days before settlement. 

What a nightmare.  I guess if one stays in business long enough, they run into fleas.  Or the fleas find us.

Tara -- I love the name of your Company "controlled chaos"  I think that is what my house needs at the moment.  If you weren't so far away, I'd have you come right over and get my home office under control.  Thanks for the tip about the flea collar.  That makes perfect sense -- otherwise you may end up with a lot more fleas!

Fleas are very common in this area, and they do live outdoors and will come inside on humans and human clothing, not just other animals. I noticed a lot of them this year, and I decided to just bomb and be done with it. You only have to do it twice- the second is to get that next hatching.

Regular vacuuming does help a lot- Great tip about the flea collar inside the vacuum!

There is also a treatment for your yard. Some sort of parasite that destroys the eggs of the fleas.

I have always found that regular cleaning of the house, and flea treatment of the furry family members is adequate (usually) for maintaining a flea-less (or virtually) home.

And if that doesn't work because of odd weather- Bomb. The chemicals are a bit harsh at first, but then you have to clean the house top to bottom, so it dissipates. And unless your clients have severe chemical sensitivity, it shouldn't put them off.

Joan, WOW I have visited a lot of Open Houses that have multiple pets, but I don't think I have ever been bit by a flea.  I guess I am going to have to search myself carefully the next time I visit one to make sure I am not walking away with any unwanted guests.

Yikes!  I feel all itchy now.  I've never had this problem, but I'll be on the look out for it now.

Wow.  I have never heard a story like that before.  How gross.  I would have probably FREAKED OUT!  I hate bugs.  I don't mind when they are on the ground, but don't like them on me.  Wow!!  Good thing they found out before they bought the house, huh??

A couple year ago I ended up with fleas in my own home..I purchased foggers from a local tack and feed store, and they worked great!!..Of course at the same time you have to treat ALL of your pets as well...don't use the stuff you buy in a grocery store, that stuff does NOT work, you need to go to the vet and purchase pet flea treatment. This usually works within hours of application.

Sarah:  Thanks for all of your insight and tips.  I guess I haven't met too many fleas to date.  I will pass all of these comments on to the listing agent.  I am sure she will be happy to know that there is a way to deal with these fleas.

 George:  When I read your comment -- I had to laugh -- I just have a very graphic mind and I can see the lising agent at the next open house with a big sign -- no fleas allowed! 

Lenn:  I like the idea of adding something to the contract.  I have had some homes that had pets and the buyers have been concerned.  I will remember to take this advice and make sure that the home truly is free of "tenants".  Thanks for adding this important idea to the dialogue.

Tracey - thanks for taking the time to comment.  Probably the fleas in Los Angeles are off on auditions in Hollywood.  I hope you don't run into something like this.  It was NOT fun!  Poor Kevin's legs looked like something out of a horror movie!

 Angie -- I was amazed how Kevin handled the situation.  It really was all the adults that FREAKED out!  He was covered with the fleas -- Not to be to graphic, but because he was short, they had gotten into his underwear and they were just all over his body!  He was a brave little boy.  I can't blame him for not wanting to buy the FLEA HOUSE!

Shari:  Thanks for the information on how to treat the pets as well.  I wondered what works best on them.  I would assume the vet would have the best pet-safe products.

This is one of the reasons why I insist that an owner occupied listing remove their pet from occupancy while the home is on the market. Whether their pet has fleas or not, buyers who aren't especially pet-friendly will suspect the home is infested. It's often a tough battle to help the sellers understand that even though their 'baby' is special to them, it can present a very 'special' problem when trying to sell their home.

Yuk!  Another must in my opinion is making sure pets don't jump on potential buyers. I have showed homes where there were small dogs that were constantly jumping on us and the buyers just decided to leave because it was so distracting.  Also, some people are really fearful of certain types of animals so putting them up during showings really should be done.

I am "allergic" to flea bites so this situation would have definitely been a bummer!  I agree with George...I will have to check myself....would not want to bring home to my cocker.  She has not had a flea yet and will take all this info and store it in my memory bank...Liked the flea collar in the vacuum tip.

Joan, at least that is better than what I thought you were going to say.  When I started to read your response and you saying that you have a graphic mind, I thought that you were going to say that you were imagining me taking off my close at the door to make sure there were no fleas on me.........LOL

Joan,

My skin is crawling just thinking about this and of course now I have that song stuck in my head. LOL! :)

In Tucson Az. we have such dry weather we don't experience fleas, but we do get ticks which are disgusting in their own right!!  I will pass the nature remedy to other agents I know in Cailforia, where they too have the same problems.

Jennifer -- I think it may be okay to leave the pet in place so long as it is crated and so long as there are no active fleas -- If the pet goes, then the moral to this story is that the fleas should go with the pet! Thanks for commenting and I hope the Portland market is doing well. 

Laura -I agree -- jumping dogs are not good for showings.  I often have clients who are fearful or their children are fearful.  It certainly does make a difference to some buyers. It is best for a seller to listen to the advice of their Realtor(r) when it comes to pets.

Sally ~ that is awful being allergic to fleas.  I can't imagine how this could have been for someone who was allergic.  I am glad the seller's agent was a friend and was pro-active in addressing the problem.  However, the matter may be more complicated due to the overgrown of vegitation around the house. 

George -- my mind is graphic -- but I try to keep it in check at least here on AR -- it's another thing, if I am taking some time off to enjoy a Marguerita -- little Kevin did have to strip down to get rid of all of his fleas!  Every time we went to look at another house he wanted to make sure that he wouldn't get attacked again!  Now -- here we go the graphic mind is at work again--  Instead of "please take off your shoes" - the open house sign may now say "please take off your clothes"! oh no!

Joan,

Years ago I was witness to a flea infestation as you describe. Not pleasant to say the least!

However, there is a very simple, low cost, and non-chemical remedy to the problem - Borax. Borax is normally used as a laundry additive to make your clothes cleaner. It is a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. It can be purchased at most stores or on line. Simply sprinkle the Borax on carpets, work it in to get down to the pad, and vacuum it up after a day or so. The trick is to get the stuff deep in the carpet, where the fleas live. (NOTE: some people can be sensitve borax and as little as possible should be used.Especially around pets and children.) For really bad fleas, repeat the process or leave a little of the borax in the carpet. Fleas can't stand the stuff and they'll leave the home very quickly or die trying to get away.

Works like a charm.

Suzanne -- I have the same problem.  Ever since I began writing this blog this morning - I can't stop singing that jingle -  "there ain't no bugs on me .. there may be bug on some of your mugs .. but there ain't no bugs on me."  tra la tra la tra la  -- who every came up with that jingle was very clever.

 Ana - It certainly is HOT HOT HOT in Arizona.  I went to college in Tucson -- you are right about no fleas in Arizona.  They have some other nasty insects -- scorpians -- for one -- I guess I will settle for the fleas. 

There might be bugs on some of you mugs, but there ain't no bugs on me.

Funny post Joan- gross, but funny!

Perry -- thanks for another tip on how to deal with those darn fleas!  I didn't know borax was still around -- I thought it was a movie character -- oh yes, that is something else all together!  I really like your tag line on your profile page "Relationships make the difference". Thanks for commenting.

 Karen ~ just like you - I can't stop singing that jingle!  Unfortunately, there was no way not to be gross about this experience -- it really was just that!  I guess you are lucky I spared you actual pictures of the clients -- It really was something I had never thought about before.  At least, it is good to have some humor in the face of such a horrible experience.  I think my clients will be laughing about the FLEA HOUSE once all their bites heal.

Joan, just thinking about the fleas makes me itch! My suggestion for getting rid of fleas(THIS REALLY WORKS!)

1. Burn down the house.
2. Find new homes for all the pets
3. Move naked to another state

Lizette  If I could give you some of my points for THAT response, I would!  LOL  I have to tell you, that is exactly what I was thinking, but was afraid to say!   I love your specialty ~ Baby-Boomer Real Estate Specialist.  Thanks for commenting.  I am going to send this to my client later and I think it will help put this unfortunate experience behind them. 

Yes, unfortunately, I have experienced this duirng a showing!  I literally undressed in my garage and ran inside to shower, while my husband used a golf club to pick up my clothes and quickly enclose them in a trash bag to be immediately put outside (so my house/pets would not get infected by fleas).  My car was totally infested with fleas, and we had to use an insect bomb in it twice over the course of several days before we could use it again.  Joan, I had forgotten that "wonderful" experience 'til you told me about your experience.  This is totally deserving of a gold star.  Congratulations!

Hi Joan:

Yep, happened to me too. But this was when we were house-hunting for our own vacation property. Cute little bungalow near the beach, used as rental for years (back in the 90s when we bought, had orange shag, carpet and all the trappings of 70s/80s homes, PLUS fleas in the carpet). We weren't there 5 minutes and we were covered.

It was a good place to buy and we did, but required fumigation before closing. Soon as we closed we tore out everything. Turned out to be a great investment when we sold it 4 years later.

Jeff

Joan,

That makes my skin crawl just reading your post. Staging makes your house sell better, getting rid of a flea infestation might help too!

Wow! What an experience! Next time i am house hunting ill make sure to ask about dogs in the house!

Just had a client tell me she left plastic bags at the front door for potential buyers and their agents to wear while looking at the house because the Tenant left fleas.  I suggested removing the home from the market and removing the fleas before more showings.

OMGosh!  Hasn't happened to me but maybe those homeowners need to be told about a product called Advantage!  Works wonders on dogs for ticks and fleas.  How terrible for you and your customers.  If I was the seller, I would have been sooooo embarassed.  I have a two year old grandaughter and her first sentence which she started saying here recently is "ain't no bugs one me". 

i'm with kevin, i wouldn't want to live in the flea house.

i'm curious, how was the smell? 

I've come accross some bad mold issues, but never a flea problem!! NEXT. Now I could tell you a few good ones while working in the pest control industry in South Florida...

Margaret -- I can just imagine how awful it was for you to have to take such drastic measures - I guess I will fess up and let you know that before we all got to the next house -- we all hit the respective restrooms and tried to get as many fleas off as possible!  This is not a good way to get to know your clients -- all of a sudden everyone want to take their clothes off!   

Jeff It sounds like you were one of the happy ending stories. I am glad you got through the fleas and had such great success when you sold.  Thanks for your comment.

Dan This house needed more than a flea dip -- once they get rid of the fleas I think some stagging would be a great idea!

 Bruno -- I have not had this happen before, but from the comments here, it looks like there are ways to be pro-active and avoide the flee problem all together.  Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

 Laura -- You have got to be kidding -- plastic bags -- that is very funny!  I am sure that didn't go over too well with prospective buyers!  I think we should leave this off the tip sheet!

Donna -- I bet there are not a lot of fleas in those North Carolina mountains.  That jingle they came up with is so catchy -- I can't get it out of my head today.  With all the commercials on TV is is hard to believe these folks didn't know about Advantage. 

Thanks to all of you who added some tips and shared your experiences.

This was a fun post -- and now I am going for a FLEA DIP!  Joan

What a horrible experience for all of  you----I can't imagine anyone having 5 dogs in 1 house. 

 Yessss.. been there and done that.     My buyers and I ran into the yard and started slapping fleas off each other.  What an experience.. hope it never happens again!  Glad you and your buyers are ok and still looking for a less "flea bitten" home!

 Yessss.. been there and done that.     My buyers and I ran into the yard and started slapping fleas off each other.  What an experience.. hope it never happens again!  Glad you and your buyers are ok and still looking for a less "flea bitten" home!

Hi Joan - yikes!!  I read the title of your post and that tune immediately ran through my head, and is still there!  I had that happen in a house many years ago, and like this one, my buyers ruled it out solely because of the fleas and what they were told would need to be done to get rid of them.  Gross!!

I wish those sellers well in getting rid of those nasty fleas, and I hope your buyers find another house they like even better.

Ann

Had this happen to me a year ago, except the fleas only liked me. My clients didn't have any on them. Since it was the only listing I was showing them, I rushed home and had to strip down in the garage, I was so covered with them. Then I had to take a shower to get the rest off. I didn't want them to get into my carpet!  The couple purchased the property, bombing the place and putting in new carpet.. That took care of the problem.

Ugh, my skin is "tickling" just reading this post! Let us know if the sellers try a non-chemical approach and what results they get. 

Wow, a condition worse than "dog smell!"  Funny, I read this post after showing a home tonight.  Both the buyer and I had these teeny little mites crawling on us...UGH!  Unfortunately he was headed to dinner w/his new inlaws...I could escape to a shower!

Wow, Joan, what a story.  It could have been worse.  At least it wasn't lice!

Dianne -- It is difficult to believe there were 5 dogs in the house -- it wasn't all that big!  I guess they served as the perfect home for the fleas -- until they left to go to doggie day care.

 Mary Ann -- you have my graphic imagination going again -- can you imagine how "funny" that would look to the neighbors.  I can just hear the report back to the sellers -- LOL

Ann -- the buyer's found a different house.  Kevin wanted an orange house -- they found a house that had orange in the kid's bedroom and he was soo happy.  It looks like they have found their perfect first home.

Jennifer -- I can't believe that the fleas only went after you.  That is horrible.  It seems like this is more prevelant than I had thought!  I hope not to have this experience again.

Sue -- My clients told Kevin it was time to look at other homes so I don't know if we will find out what the seller did about the fleas!  I got the feeling that the Seller thought that the fleas must have come from some other home.  However, I assured their agent that this was the only home we had seen -- we drove in separate cars -- and we all had fleas!

Antionette -- I guess dog smells are pretty bad -- but at least they don't lead people to flap their arms, and then start to disrobe and jump into the shower.  I can just see this on America's funniest videos - but it doesn't do much for home sales! 

 Stephan -- LICE -- yikes -- yes, I guess it could have been worse! 

  So to Summarize -- I have learned from all of this is that when people are attacked with fleas -- strangest things begin to happen-- they flap their arms, they take their clothes off in the garage (or other public places) and they run to the shower naked!  Sometimes, they end up buying the house.   There are non-chemical solutions to the problem, and there are BOMBS!  I wish all of those who have been kind enough to respond a bug free summer! 

Strange coincidence I took this picture today. Is it a flee?

Wow Dena -- I am glad that we didn't run into one of those!  Although It felt like we had about 100 of those things crawling all over our bodies.  Do you think there is an eco-friendly way to get rid of that "FLEA"?

Joan, I don't really have any idea how to get rid of them. However, in my yard and in my carpet I use Borax. It's a natural product that is mined.  Sprinkle it into the carpet then vacuum. It absorbs moisture, smells and would probably at least irritate the flees. In my yard it gets rid of ants.....but so does boiling water.

We moved into humid country where the fleas live in the ground!  The first full summer, we had to get the poor dog a steroid shot because the fleas almost carried him off.

• 1 chemical  -- I use a pour on for the dog, a moderate price one; I have a spray that I use to make towelettes for the cats.
• we spray BullsEye an organic insecticide we get from GardensAlive in his kennel whenever we spray the fruit trees
• I quit putting him in the kennel unless necessary
• I put soda  and carpet fresh all over the carpets FREQUENTLY as a vacuum up.  When I ran out of carpet fresh, I used Comet!
• Bought the dog IAMS food which overcame food itches as well.
• We made them so unwelcome that they've stayed outside this year.

Ticks are a bigger problem.  The pour-on gets them away from the dog.  We keep white sheets so bugs show up and do tick patrols.  They get DH more often; he's nicer. 

Gross - I'm itchy just reading this post!  Sherry

Well I must say...you don't post for a while but when you do....

Fun post Joan!

Wow -- this is incredible. The seller needs flea removal big time.

This reminded me of one of the most unpleasant experiences I ever had in real estate. To make it short, I entered a vacant home. There was a note that I did not see, it said do not use door out to enclosed patio. I opened the door, stepped out and was covered with millions of fleas that caused me to take an action that was so embarrassing. I shall never forget this, it was a nightmare. Even my car had to treated for 2 straight days in a fumigation tent.

Joan,

Thanks for the post. I can't believe that neither the sellers or their agent realized that there was a pest problem. Any house with five dogs needs to be treated periodically to preclude problems like this from occurring, before allowing others to be exposed.

JudyAnn -- I appreciate your list of tips and advice on how to keep fleas under control both in your home and on your pets.  I am sure that the seller and their agent will be glad to get this information and hopefully, they can get their home ready to show again -- but free.

Kevin and Sherry -- How are things in Wheaton.  Thanks for commenting.  I am still itching -- I can't believe how long the bites last -- I am going to have to treat my car again -- I think some of the eggs might have gotten on my shoes!

 Joan -- It has been a while since I have had some time to blog -- The good news is that I am sooo busy -- lots of referrals from other NH agents and past clients -- This flea experience has certainly not been pleasant -- It looks like I have measles!

 Bob and Carolin ~~ I understand that it is too HOT in Arizona for fleas!  Thanks for commenting.

William Johnson ~~  It looks like you have been one of the "lucky" people to experience this horrible experience.  I hope that we never have to encounter another FLEA HOUSE again.

 William Collins ~~  It is an honor to meet you here on AR.  I appreciate your taking the time to read this post and comment.  Hope all is going well in NJ.

I have not brought a buyer into a house with fleas but I have experienced this with one of my rentals. After the tenant left we had a major flea problem. It does take a while to get rid of them all due to the eggs you just have to make sure you are on top of the situation. Spray and Vacuum

Jeff

Orlando Real Estate

Oh how gross!

I am now itching everywhere!

Jeff -- I can imagine that rentals that allow pets would present a problem.  Thanks for the srpay and vacuum suggestion.  One tip, above, was to through a flea collar into the vaccuum bag.

 Edith -- thanks for taking the time to read this post.  I am still itching!

Hi Joan,
Funny post and I think most of us have been there, just another fringe benefit!  Lots of good tips from Judy Ann, never heard these before. 

Boy, you did get a lot of response to this.   

On another note, did you go back & see that I did link to some blogs on the tips we're providing?   

Hi Cynthia -- I can't believe how this blog struck a cord - so to speak -- perhaps it is that catchy jingle that I cannot get out of my head!!  Perhaps there was a lot of pent up frustration about eveyone's flea experiences and they finally had an opportunity to vent.  I still sit here and laugh just thing about people flapping their arms and tearing off their clothes and running to the shower! It is not funny at the time, of course.

 I did go back to your blog and saw the links.  It is a great list and I hope it continue to grow.  Thanks for taking time to comment.

This must be the week of the fleas.  I've read a couple of flea posts.  I had my own nasty battle with fleas a few years ago.  I think I'm going to itch all day just remembering it.

Chris -- I guess this must be FLEA season!  I saw my clients yesterday and it took a long time for the bites to go away.  Keven is glad that they said no to the FLEA house -- I hope he is not having nightmares!  I wish everyone in the AR community a FLEA FREE summer!  (now try saying FLEA FREE quickly 10 times)!

I have heard of using brewers yeast and garlic as a natural remedy to eliminate fleas without poisons - but have never tried it personally.  I'd love to know if anyone else has. 

Joan-nice photo and nice post!  So true seller's need to place their property in it's best light.  I would think that as a listing agent you would know.  Usually fleas jump to me and it could be the only one in the house.  I would be so upset an angry...and disgusted!  

I love animals, I have 2 cats, a pet rat and turtle.  I love them all....so much.  No fleas..they really make me crazy and I itch all over even if their is only 1.  Having that many fleas on me would freak me out for a very long time.

We battle roaches in florida and let me tell you, hard to get rid of them.  An exterminator comes in every other week.  

Molly -- I haven't heard of the brewers yeast and garlic -- it sounds like something that might make one healty!  We will have to see if anyone else has heard of this rememdy -- Thanks for taking the time to comment and I enjoy pet friendly group.

Midori -- Thank you for your comments.  I am glad to know that you have such a nice group of pets.  How does the rat stay away from the cats?   I must say those roaches don't sound like a lot of fun!  I hope that I don't run into any of those.  I'm sure they exist in New Hampshire, but luckily I haven't run into any of them.  I enjoy reading your blogs and hope all is going well.