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 →If you are getting itchy bites around the ankles, or your cat or dog will not stop scratching, a visit from us is a sensible next step. We will find where the fleas are living, explain what is happening in plain terms and agree the work with you first.
Why older Sidmouth properties can be harder work
Many homes in Sidmouth are older, with timber floors, gaps under skirting boards and thick carpets laid over them. Flea eggs and larvae fall into those cracks and stay out of reach of a normal vacuum. That is one reason a single spray of the pet bedding rarely solves it, and why we look carefully at floors, rugs and the places pets like to lie.
Guest houses and holiday accommodation bring their own risk. A visiting dog or a previous occupant's pet can leave a flea population behind, and it may only show once a new guest is bitten. We can treat bedrooms and shared rooms discreetly, and talk through what to do between lets so the problem does not return.
What we do when we visit in Sidmouth
We start by looking at where the animals sleep, sit and walk, and check for flea dirt, the small black specks that turn reddish when damp. Then we treat carpets, rugs, soft furnishings and floor edges, using professional products applied carefully. You will be told how long to keep pets and children out of treated rooms, and what to move beforehand.
Flea pupae can lie dormant for weeks and hatch when they feel warmth or vibration, so you may see a few fleas after treatment. That is normal and is why we plan a follow-up. Vacuuming thoroughly before and after, and washing bedding hot, makes a real difference to how quickly things settle.
Pets, vets and keeping fleas out in Sidmouth
The pet needs treating as well as the house, and for that we always suggest a product recommended by your vet. We deal with the property, they deal with the animal, and together that covers the whole life cycle. We also cover Sidford and Sidbury nearby, in the EX10 area. Keep up regular treatment for pets, vacuum often and wash pet bedding regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Why am I still seeing fleas in Sidmouth after treating my dog?
Most of the flea population lives in the carpets and furnishings, not on the dog. Treating the pet only removes the adults. Eggs and pupae in the home keep hatching, so the house needs treating too, along with careful vacuuming and hot washing of bedding.
Can you treat a guest house in Sidmouth discreetly?
Yes. We can arrange visits to suit your guests and treat the affected rooms with minimal disruption. We will explain which rooms need to stay empty for a while and give you practical advice on keeping the rooms clear of fleas between bookings.
Do fleas bite people as well as pets?
They do. Flea bites on people are usually small, itchy marks around the ankles and lower legs, often in clusters. Fleas prefer animals, but will bite people when numbers build up in the home, which is often when people first notice the problem.