Fleas
For every flea that you see on your pet, there are likely to be hundreds of eggs and larvae in your home and yard. The primary concern for any householder is the distress that flea bites cause to people and pets.
If you need help with a flea problem, you may wish to read about some simple control methods below. If you would like to use Hackney Council's pest control service, you can contact us using the details to the right. You may also wish to read about our fees and charges.
Distribution and habitat
Adult fleas live on a host – usually a cat or dog, and less frequently human beings.Fleas may be found in carpets, soft furnishings and pet bedding.
Adult fleas can spend most of their time on an animal, but flea eggs, larvae, and pupae are most often found in the pet's environment – especially in carpeting, bedding, and under furniture edges.
Fleas' bodies are compressed sideways, enabling them to move quickly through hairs or fur. They have relatively large hind legs, which are used for jumping, and the most common species are the cat and dog flea. Human fleas are very rare.
The flea population usually reaches its peak in the autumn months.
Control Methods
You may be able to control a small flea infestation by taking these simple steps:
- Shampoo. Flea and tick shampoos help to rid a pet of fleas and ticks it already has on it, although some have residual activity. Work the shampoo in over the entire body and then leave it on at least 10 minutes before you rinse it off. Shampoos often contain pyrethrins.
- Vacuum. Pet bedding and upholstery should be thoroughly vacuumed and where possible washed, paying particular attention to carpet or floor edges.
- Wash. Wash pet beddings every week, preferably at a temperature of 50°C to kill fleas (but more importantly in accordance with the care labels!).
- Spray. The infested areas should then be treated with an insecticide spray formulated for fleas. Once you have sprayed the areas you should leave them for ten days before vacuuming thoroughly and repeating the treatment.
Take care when transferring bedding, rugs, etc, to avoid spreading flea eggs.
Insecticide will kill only adult fleas; it does not kill flea eggs, and this is why you will possibly need to repeat the treatment more than once for it to be effective.
Contact us
If you would like to use Hackney Council's pest control service, you can contact us using the details to the right. You may also wish to read about our fees and charges.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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