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 treat the home itself and, where needed, the outbuildings and utility spaces where pets like to rest. Fleas are rarely just on the animal, so we deal with the places where they breed.
Where fleas come from in a country property
Homes in Longcombe sit close to fields, farm buildings and outbuildings, and that means more contact with hedgehogs, foxes, rabbits and farm cats, all of which can carry fleas. Pets pick them up on walks or in the garden and bring them indoors. Once a few adults settle in the house, they lay eggs that drop into carpets and bedding.
The eggs and larvae stay out of sight, feeding on dust and the droppings adult fleas leave behind. Pupae can lie dormant for weeks, which is why a house can seem fine after a clean and then flare up again. Knowing where the animals roam helps us decide which rooms and outside spaces need attention.
Treating the house, the barn and the boot room
In Longcombe we inspect the main living areas first, then look at the spots that rural households tend to overlook: boot rooms, porches, dog beds in utility rooms, tack rooms and the corners of garages. Treatment is targeted at carpets, rugs, upholstery and floor edges, and where an outbuilding is used by pets or farm cats we can advise on whether it needs treating as well.
You can help by vacuuming well beforehand, washing all bedding on a hot cycle and keeping pets out of treated rooms until we say it is safe. Treating the animals with a vet-recommended product at the same time matters just as much. We will plan a follow-up visit to catch any fleas that hatch after the first treatment.
Flea control in Longcombe and the TQ9 area
We come out to Longcombe and the rural lanes around it, and to properties that are a little off the beaten track. We also cover Totnes and Newton Abbot, so help is not far away. Describe what you are seeing when you call, including whether the animals live inside or out, and we will explain what a visit involves and how to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Can farm cats and barn animals cause fleas in the house?
They can. Farm cats and other animals that roam between barns and gardens often carry fleas, and a pet that meets them can bring some home. We look at both the house and the places your animals spend their time.
Do you treat outbuildings as well as the house?
Where an outbuilding is used by pets, farm cats or for storing bedding, we can look at it during the visit and advise whether it needs treatment. We will talk it through with you first so you know what is involved.
I have bites but my dog is on flea treatment. Why?
Pet treatments help, but they do not clear eggs and pupae already in the carpets and sofas. Those can hatch for weeks. Treating the home as well deals with the stage the pet treatment cannot reach.