If you treated the cat at the same time you had the house exterminated I don't see how the fleas would become so prolific in the basement that they'd be a problem.
Are you stressing over a few fleas? If you've treated the cat with an effective medicine the fleas will die.
I have a cat and a dog. I treat them with First Shield which I purchased from the vet, and often forget to repeat it and do have some fleas. I treat the animals and within a week the fleas are gone. Granted, I don't inspect the carpet for fleas. As long as they're not biting me, I choose to not get upset. They won't hurt you unless you're allergic to their bites. The bites are uncomfortable and if I were getting them I'd be more proactive. But, for me out of sight is out of mind. I get to choose what I'm going to get upset about.
When I was having pms I noticed that I would get upset about things that weren't really all the important once I was past the pms stage. I finally learned to talk straight with myself about letting go of my frustration and anger. That helped me tremendously to have a better attitude even tho I still felt cranky.
Later: I think I finally get it that you're upset about your husband's reaction and not so much the fleas. I suggest, as others have, that it's his problem. Leave it to him to take care of it. Why did you move the rug? He put it down there. He doesn't like the fleas in it. Let him decide what to do and let him do it. Just stay out of it.
When he complains, don't respond. If you have to to keep from getting upset, leave the room. Tell him that it's his problem. You don't have to tell him you were right. He'll get that message.
Also try to not make life about who is right and who is wrong. It just adds to the anger. My words for such situations are it works or it doesn't work. "Sorry that didn't work for you." makes for better communication.
