Flea Identification

Known for biting humans, the Cat Flea is most common. The Bird Flea, followed by the Dog Fleas, are less common. There are Human Fleas which are much rarer. All require Professional flea control.

• • Appearance – Adult fleas are tiny (2mm) wingless insects. They have flattened red-brown bodies. With legs designed for jumping covered in spines.
  • Life cycle
    • A parasitic insect, fleas live on warm-blooded animals.
    • Females lay eggs after feeding on the infested animal. Over their two-year life span they can, they can lay up to 1000 eggs. Eggs are laid on the floor or the animal’s bedding and after several days develop into larvae.
    • Larvae live in the bedding of the host and feed on skin, feathers and the blood-rich faeces of the adult flea. Once fully grown, the larvae spin well camouflaged silken cocoons called Pupa.
    • The fully developed adult flea remains cocooned until it senses the vibrations of a potential host. Only then does it emerge to feed on the blood of the infected animal.
    • This complete life cycle takes about a month in the summer.

Disease

There is little evidence that fleas spread disease in the UK. Although, flea bites can cause irritation.  Differing both in the degree of reaction and time taken to react.

Signs of a Flea Infestation

Pets constantly scratching is likely to be the first sign. This can be confirmed in light coloured animals by brushing back the hair. In dark coated breeds it may be better to comb the animal over a sheet of paper to highlight any flea droppings as they fall. The identity of the black specks may be confirmed by adding a few drops of water if they turn red, your pet has fleas.

You might spot bites on you or family members, usually around ankles and legs. In humans, flea bites can produce an irritating and allergic reaction. The typical symptom of a flea bite is a small red spot about 5mm in diameter.

If you have an active infestation, you may see fleas jumping in your carpet and furniture.

The important bit WHAT NOT TO DO!

• • Use flea bombs – Flea bombs are not an effective method of flea control. The pesticides released do not penetrate the carpets or other fibres where the flea eggs and larvae are likely to be hiding. Using a flea bomb can put your family and pets at risk due to the chemical residue that remains after use and should only be used in extreme circumstances where there is a massive flea infestation.
  • Use cheap pet treatments – Advantage and Frontline are both the recommended flea treatments for Cats and Dogs by Vets. There are many others that are known to cause suffering to your pets detailed all over the internet.
  • Ignore it – it won’t go away and it will get worse. Call a professional and treat you pet.

What to do?

For a flea infestation, we strongly recommend you contact a professional pest control company. Standish Pest Control will have the technical knowledge and access to a range of professional use insecticides which are not available to the public.

It’s difficult to prevent your pets from getting fleas. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting them:

• • Treat the cause –In liquid or tablet form buy a well-publicised and recommended treatment specific to your pet, not the cheapest.
  • Vacuum – Before an insecticide treatment, clear as much floor space as possible to ensure that treatment is as thorough as possible. Vacuuming all areas helps to remove any debris, eggs, larvae and adult fleas. The vibration of the vacuuming also stimulates adults to hatch from their cocoons. Removing the dust collection chamber outside the house into your wheelie bin. Wash the collector with hot soapy water, again do this outside.
  • Wash bedding – Collect all bedding, throws, rugs and clothing and wash them in soapy water – washing liquid will do. The soapy water is known to kill the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults.
  • Treat the symptom – 95% of fleas live in the home rather than on your pet. Treating your home for fleas with a professional grade residual insecticide, either as a liquid spray or powder. Applied to all floor surfaces, soft furnishings and pet bedding. Not vacuuming or washing bedding for at least two weeks, will ensure the residual insecticide will have ample opportunity to work.

What caused the infestation?

One of the most common ways is from your pet playing outside or taking a walk. When your pet walks through or lies in leaf litter or grass clippings, fleas can jump up on your pet’s fur.

Feral cats that may be roaming the neighbourhood or wild animals such as rabbits, hedgehogs’, badgers or foxes can be carriers of fleas.

Kennels are another perfect place for your pet to pick up fleas. So, treatment before and after their visits should ensure they don’t pick any up and bring them into your home.

How long will it take?

Our flea control treatment will remain active for many weeks. Its residual life will vary depending upon the cleanliness and nature of the surface to which it is applied and how often you vacuum or mop the areas. We recommend its left for a minimum of 2 weeks before any cleaning commences.

Is the pesticide harmful to me, my kids or my pets?

Our wet treatment is safe to humans and animals once dry. Treated premises can be re-occupied by adults, children, pets and other animals once the sprayed surfaces have dried.

How can we prevent it happening again?

• • Treat all the pets in your home regularly with a suitable flea treatment.
  • Regularly wash your pet’s bedding on a hot wash.
  • Use a long-acting household spray regularly.

Tip: Pets with fleas can also develop tapeworm, which is carried by fleas. Pets groom and swallow fleas with tapeworm eggs inside as part of the tapeworm lifecycle and these then develop into worms in your pet’s gut. If your pet has had fleas, use a worming treatment that covers for tapeworms as well as flea treatments.

Never use a flea treatment for dogs on your cat – this can be fatal. Many flea treatments for dogs contain permethrin. This chemical can be fatal to cats. Make sure you use a flea treatment specifically for cats and check all household flea sprays for permethrin before you use them around your cat.

If you think you’ve got a flea infestation, have read this article and still want help or advice give us a call for a friendly chat. We will guide you through what to do and how much flea control will cost. Check out our contacts page for details.