Advice
How to Get Rid of Fleas in the Home
Fleas spend most of their life cycle in carpets, bedding and furniture rather than on your pet, so clearing them means treating the pet and the home together.
Read the guide →The key point is that fleas on a pet are only a small part of the picture. Most of the population is in the home itself, as eggs, larvae and pupae. We treat the property as a whole, explain what you need to do around the house, and agree the price with you before any work begins.
How to tell you have fleas
The usual sign is a cluster of small, itchy bites around the ankles and lower legs. You may also see a pet scratching more than normal, or tiny black specks on its bedding. These specks are flea dirt, and if you dab them with a damp tissue they leave a reddish stain. Sometimes you will spot the insects jumping on pale carpets or socks.
Fleas can also appear in a home without a pet. They may arrive on visitors, on second hand furniture or from a previous occupier. In a property that has been empty for a while, dormant fleas can hatch when people return, because warmth and movement tell them a host is nearby. This is a familiar story for holiday lets and rental homes. If you are unsure whether you are dealing with fleas or something else, we can look at the bites and the likely sources.
Why the whole home needs attention
Only a small share of any flea population is adults on the animal. The rest are eggs, larvae and pupae hidden in carpets, rugs, sofas and cracks in the floor. Pupae can stay dormant for weeks and then hatch when vibration or warmth arrives. That is why a pet that has been treated can still be bitten again a fortnight later. This delay is normal and does not mean the treatment has failed.
For this reason, treating the pet alone rarely solves it. Ask your vet to recommend a suitable product for your animal, and let us deal with the property. A sound treatment plan covers floors, soft furnishings and the places your pet rests, and allows for a follow up visit to catch fleas that hatch after the first treatment. Cars, cushions and favourite resting spots are worth mentioning to us too.
What a visit involves and what you can do
We begin by looking at where your pets sleep and spend time, and where the bites are happening. We then treat the affected rooms in a targeted way and explain how long to keep pets and children away. Before we arrive, vacuum thoroughly, including under furniture and along skirting boards, and wash pet bedding and soft items on a hot setting. Keep pets away from the room until we say it is safe to return.
After treatment, keep vacuuming regularly and empty the cleaner outside. Some fleas will still hatch in the days that follow, which is expected, and we explain what to look for. We help householders, tenants, landlords and holiday let owners across Devon, and we always agree the price with you first so that you know where you stand.
Frequently asked questions
Why am I still being bitten after treating my pet?
Most fleas in a home are eggs, larvae and pupae in carpets and furnishings, not adults on the animal. Pupae can lie dormant and hatch later, so bites can continue for a while. Treating the property as well as the pet is what usually stops the cycle.
Do I need to treat my pet as well?
Yes, and your vet is the right person to recommend a suitable product for your animal. We deal with the home, and the two approaches work together. If only one is done, fleas often return from the part that was left untreated.
How should I prepare before you visit?
Vacuum all floors, rugs and sofas thoroughly, including edges and under furniture, then empty the cleaner outside. Wash bedding and pet blankets on a hot setting. Clear floors of toys and clutter so that we can reach the areas that need treating. We will confirm anything else when you book.
Can you help with fleas in a holiday let or rental?
Yes. Fleas are common in properties that have been empty and then reoccupied, because dormant pupae wake when people return. We can inspect and treat holiday lets and rental homes and give advice to owners and agents on keeping on top of it between stays.