Small, and able to jump incredible distances, fleas are highly irritating and not something you want to share your home with. Fleas cause skin irritations in people who react to their bites, but some people may not react and be unaware they have them. A couple living in an apartment may find that only one of them is bitten ,while the other has no signs of any bites at all. For people who do react, flea bites are very itchy and the effects can last for weeks. Fleas are easily preventable and are commonly brought into homes by pets, or unknowing pet owners. One of the best methods for flea prevention and control are ‘spot-on’ treatments available from veterinarians and supermarkets. These permeate the animal’s skin and gets into the blood stream, quickly poisoning the fleas. This needs regular reapplication. Regular inspection of your pet can provide advanced warning of a possible flea infestation. Good hygiene is essential and regular vacuming of areas that pets frequent and the edges of rooms will help to remove the eggs and any larvae that may be there. Washing pet bedding at high temperatures will also kill off any stray eggs and larvae. Flea infestations can be treated, but the source must be treated too or they’ll be back. If conditions are favourable,fleas can complete their life-cycle from egg to larvae, pupae and then to adult reproductives in less than one month during the Summer. The eggs are impermeable and not affected by insecticide. It is only when the egg hatches that the flea will touch any insecticide and then die. Sometimes, a second treatment is recommended in high infestation cases.
Flea removal
We can treat domestic and commercial premises to remove fleas. This will usually involve more than one treatment, depending on the scale of the infestation, to eliminate newly emerged fleas, before they become adult reproductives. Contact us today for more information and advice about flea control.
FACTS ABOUT FLEAS
- Fleas can jump the equivalent distance of a person jumping over a football field.
- The female flea can lay 2000 eggs in her lifetime….PHEW!!
- Fleas on average jump about 8 inches high, which is 150 times their own height. If you could do this, you’d be able to leap over skyscrapers!
- The champion jumper is the cat flea. It has been known to leap to a height of 34cm – subjecting itself to over 150 g’s!
- The cat flea is responsible for most flea cases affecting homes.