The flea lifecycle

It is important that you understand the life-cycle of a flea to make sure treatment is as effective as possible. A female flea will lay up to 50 eggs per day, about 2000 in her lifetime. She will lay them on your pet and they quickly fall off as they are not sticky.

The eggs hatch in to larvae in between two to five days. The larvae head toward dark places around your home and feed on flea dirt -excrement of partially digested blood of your pet. The larvae grow, moult twice, and spin cocoons, where they form in to a pupa.

The pupae stage averages 8 to 9 days depending on weather conditions. The adults come out of their cocoons when they detect a host is nearby. Once they hop onto a host, the adults mate and begin the life-cycle all over again.

·         The entire life cycle can be as short as 3 to 4 weeks.

·         There tends to be an increase in fleas 5 to 6 weeks after the weather starts to warm up.

Why have I got fleas in my home/workplace when there are no pets?

In the summer fleas can survive outside and be carried into buildings

 Visiting friends or clients who have fleas in their homes can transport fertile fleas into the home or workplace

If you have visited a public building with fleas, you can bring them home.

If you move into a new house or flat you can inherit a flea problem

Fleas in the pupae stage can remain dormant for up to 9 months and then hatch when you walk into an empty property. This is a common problem for landlords/landladies and estate agents.

Treatment of pets

Treatment of pets is essential. Pet treatment, which contains a growth inhibitor (a product that stops the development of the flea egg), is very important. You should:

·         Groom and treat your pets. Animals swallow eggs when they clean themselves so grooming with a flea comb will help stop this. Flea eggs will drop off so groom outside. Your vet can give advice about flea treatments.

·         Hot wash pet bedding regularly

·         Vacuum and clean your home regularly, including furniture.

Treatment we can provide
If you decide you would like our pest control officers to provide treatment, please make sure you have read and followed the advice below.
What you need to do before the pest control officer visits:

·         vacuum your entire house, including sofas and chairs.

·         throw out the vacuum bag as it may contain flea eggs.

·         clear as much floor space as possible (not the furniture).

·         start to treat your pets.

After the pest control officer has provided treatment:

·         animals must stay out of treated areas for a least 1 hour.

·         do not sit on anything that has been sprayed until it has dried.

·         do not let children play on the carpets until they are dry.

·         do not vacuum for 10 days, the longer you leave the treatment down the better.

You may see fleas for some weeks. The adults will die, but eggs will be developing at different times and the emerging adults will die off as they come into contact with the treatment. The insecticide we use works for approximately six weeks, depending on house management. We know that the insecticides work, but treatment is not a total solution.

There is a charge for this service