Fleas
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Fleas
Small (2mm) wingless insects, flattened side to side, red-brown with backwardly directed spines and legs designed for jumping. All adult fleas are parasitic on warm-blooded animals. Larval stages live in the nest of the host and feed on skin, feathers and, most importantly, the blood-rich feaces of the adult flea. When fully grown the larvae spin well camouflaged silken cocoons. When fully developed the adult waits within this until it detects the vibrations caused by a potential host. Only then does it emerge.
The complete lifecycle takes about a month in the summer. Adult fleas feed on blood. Their bites can cause intense irritation around the central bright red spot. Different people react differently to a bite, both in terms of degree of reaction and time taken to react.
The Cat Flea is by far the commonest species of flea and readily bites humans. The Human Flea and the Bird Flea are next in importance. Dog fleas are rare, although other species may become temporarily attached to dogs.
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How we can help
- We treat all rooms with a residual insecticide and /or knock down spray normally except bathrooms and kitchens unless pets are sleeping in these.
- We will only carry out a partial treatment at the request of the client, but partial treatments are very often not successful and not recommended.
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Before our visit to deal with fleas
- The property must be vacuumed and cleaned thoroughly throughout.
- The vacuum cleaner contents must be thrown in the dustbin and a new bag put in or the vacuum should be washed out as manufacturer's guidelines.
- All items on the floor such as shoes, bags etc. should be taken off the floor.
- Your pets sleeping basket, rug should be washed on the highest temperature.
- Your pet should be taken to the vet for a flea treatment. This treatment does not stop your pet from bringing more fleas back into your home, but deals with them on the pet.
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During our visit to deal with fleas
You should be out of the property during our treatment and until the insecticide is dry, normally about 3 hours dependent on temperature.
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After our visit to deal with Fleas
- Do not sweep, brush, mop, vacuum, or clean the area that has been sprayed for at least 14 days, this is to let the insecticide work through the insects' life cycle which we are trying to break.
- If after 14 days there is still activity then a second treatment may be required.
- All second treatments are charged at 50% of the cost for the first treatment.
