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 →Most of a flea problem is hidden in carpets, rugs, sofas and floor gaps as eggs, larvae and pupae. That is why treating the pet alone so often fails, and why a proper visit starts with finding where they are living.
Why fleas keep coming back in a busy city
Exeter has a lot of terraced streets, shared houses and flats where people move in and out, and carpets stay put while tenants change. Flea pupae can lie dormant for weeks. A new occupant, or just footsteps on an empty floor, can set off a fresh hatch long after the last pet has gone.
That is a common reason people ring us after moving into a rental in EX1 to EX4 and finding bites within days. The fleas were already there, waiting. We check the likely spots, such as carpet edges, under sofas, pet bedding and the cracks along skirting boards, and treat those areas directly.
What happens when we visit
We start by talking through what you have noticed in your Exeter home: where the bites happen, whether pets have been scratching, and any black specks on bedding, which are flea dirt. Then we inspect the rooms and agree a plan and price with you before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
The treatment covers the whole home, not just the animal. We ask you to vacuum thoroughly beforehand and again afterwards, wash bedding hot, and speak to your vet about a suitable product for your pet. Because pupae hatch over time, we also arrange a follow-up to deal with any new fleas that appear.
Landlords, tenants and nearby areas
If you manage rented property in Exeter, a quick response matters, because fleas can make a room unusable and tenants understandably want it dealt with. We can work around handovers and viewings. We also cover Topsham, Crediton and Whimple, so if the problem is just outside the city the same approach applies.
Frequently asked questions
I have just moved into a rented flat in Exeter and have flea bites. Is it the carpet?
Quite possibly. Flea pupae can sit dormant in carpets for weeks and hatch when someone moves in. We would inspect the flat, treat the floors and soft furnishings, and advise you on vacuuming. Tell your landlord too, as the problem was there before you.
Do I need to treat my cat or dog as well?
Yes. We treat the property, but a pet that is still carrying fleas will keep restocking the home. Ask your vet for a suitable product. We will explain how the two parts of the job fit together when we visit.
How soon will the fleas stop after treatment?
You may still see some fleas for a short while, because pupae keep hatching. That is normal, and it is why we arrange a follow-up. Regular vacuuming helps, and we will tell you what to expect for your home.