Clearing fleas means dealing with the pet, the home and the life cycle together. Miss one of those and the problem tends to come back within a few weeks.
Treat every dog and cat in the home at the same time, using a product recommended by your vet. Vets can advise on spot-on treatments, tablets and collars and on products suitable for the age and weight of the animal. Never use dog products on cats, as some can be dangerous. Treating the pet stops adult fleas from feeding, but it does not remove the stages hiding in the home.
Take care with sprays near water. Fish tanks, bird cages and small animals such as rabbits and hamsters are sensitive to many products, so cover or move them as the label advises. Ask your vet if you are unsure what is suitable for the animals in your home, and keep the room well ventilated while the treatment dries.
Vibration from vacuuming encourages pupae to hatch, which sounds unhelpful, but it brings the adults out where treatment can reach them.
Flea sprays for carpets and soft furnishings usually contain an insecticide plus an insect growth regulator that stops eggs and larvae developing. Follow the label exactly, keep pets and people out of the room while it dries, and treat skirting boards and under furniture. Professionals use products that are not available to the public and can treat the whole property in one go. Foggers rarely penetrate carpets and furniture well enough to be dependable.
Because pupae can sit dormant and hatch later, fleas may still appear for two or three weeks after a treatment. That does not necessarily mean it failed. Keep vacuuming and keep pets treated for the full period. If new fleas are still emerging after that, there may be an untreated area, a wildlife source or a pet that has been missed.
Cats can pick up fleas from sheds, porches and garden spots where other animals shelter. Birds nesting in eaves, rodents or foxes under decking can also be a source. If you have recently cleared a nest or mice, fleas left behind may look for a new host in the house. A technician can check these areas during a survey.
Be systematic. Work room by room, starting with the ones where pets rest, then stairs, landings and bedrooms. Move furniture so you can reach the edges, because larvae avoid light and collect along skirting and under sofas. Repeating the process after a couple of weeks catches newly hatched fleas before they breed.
If the problem continues, call 0113 347 0014 or message us on WhatsApp for a free quote.
Vacuuming removes many eggs, larvae and some pupae, and it is a big help. But adult fleas on pets and hidden stages in fabrics are likely to survive, so combine it with pet treatment and a suitable product for the home.
Usually because pupae were still in the carpet and hatched later, a pet was not treated, or an outside source such as a shed or wild animal was missed. A follow-up visit or a repeat treatment can deal with those.
It depends on the product. Most require people and pets to stay out for a set period until sprays are dry. Your technician will explain the instructions and any preparation, such as lifting pet bowls and clearing floors.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. There are no call-out charges and surveys are free for homes and businesses.
