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 →We take care in older properties and explain every step, so you know what is being done and what you need to do.
Character cottages and where fleas hide
Older cottages in Cockington tend to have uneven floors, gaps at the edge of rooms, rugs on top of boards and soft furnishings that have been in the family for years. Flea eggs and larvae drop into those gaps and are very hard to clean out by hand. Pupae can stay dormant until they sense someone walking nearby, which is why bites can appear suddenly.
We look closely at the places pets rest and at floor edges and rugs, because larvae avoid light and gather in dark, undisturbed corners. A careful, targeted treatment can reach those areas without drenching a room, which matters in a home that has delicate furnishings.
Living next to parkland and green space
Homes close to open green space meet more wildlife and more visiting animals. Foxes, rabbits and neighbourhood cats cross gardens in Cockington, and a pet that explores outside can bring fleas back through the door. This is nobody's fault and it does not mean the house is dirty. It is simply how fleas travel.
The practical answer is the same everywhere. Keep pets on a vet-recommended flea treatment, wash their bedding hot and vacuum regularly, including under furniture. If fleas have already settled indoors, call us and we will treat the affected rooms and arrange a follow-up for fleas that hatch afterwards.
Flea control in Cockington and TQ2
We work in Cockington and across the TQ2 area, treating cottages, family houses and holiday lets. Because we also cover Torquay and Paignton, we are rarely far away. When you call, tell us about the type of building and the pets you have, and we will explain how we would approach the visit, including any care needed in an older property.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to treat fleas in a thatched cottage?
We treat the floors and soft furnishings, not the roof. Tell us about the property when you call and we will explain how we work in an older home, and what to move or cover before the visit.
Why are there fleas when my cat never comes indoors?
Fleas can reach a home on clothes, shoes, visitors or wildlife, and a cat that lives mostly outside can still bring some in. Eggs then drop into carpets and soft furnishings, so the house needs treating too.
How do I check for flea dirt on my dog's bed?
Brush the bedding or the dog's coat over damp white paper. Flea dirt looks like black specks and leaves reddish smears when wet. If you see it, treat the pet and call us to deal with the home.