Flea the scene: Keep your home flea-free

Nobody likes to feel like an unwelcome visitor in their own home. But that’s exactly how a flea infestation can make you feel. All it takes is for one or two of them to hitch a lift inside on you or a pet and they can quickly multiply.

Because of the rate at which they breed, a few fleas can soon multiply to thousands – and when this happens, they’re notoriously difficult to get rid of. You’ll find that you’re bitten regularly, and the constant itching will drive you crazy.

Don’t let flea infestations get to this stage. The longer you leave the problem, the harder it is to tackle. Prompt flea pest control solutions will allow you to take back control of your home.

Importance of Professional Flea Pest Control

You might have seen mention of various DIY flea pest control methods. Some swear by salting their carpets and soft furnishings, some wash their flea-covered pets with washing-up liquid to drown any fleas in their fur.

Some believe that sprinkling carpets with baking soda will dry up flea eggs and kill them, while others use lemon or rosemary sprays as fleas can be deterred by the smell.

While these DIY methods might work to some extent, they’re simply not effective enough. Cover your carpet in scents that fleas don’t like and they’ll simply move elsewhere – like curtains, bedding or clothing. Wash your pet and you’ll kill the fleas and eggs on their fur, but not those in your home.

If fleas have infested your home, you’ll need the whole property to be treated to guarantee that they’re completely eliminated. That treatment can take many different forms.

Methods Used in Flea Extermination

There are two main types of professional flea treatment services that are used.

The first is chemical treatment. Here, the affected areas in your home are fogged or sprayed with a chemical solution that kills all of the active fleas. While it doesn’t kill eggs, the solution stays on the surface so that when the remaining eggs hatch, the fleas are killed.

The second is non-chemical treatment. This generally involves heat: the affected area is heated to over 50°C for a period of time. This heat kills both the fleas and their eggs.

At Pest Stop Boys, our focus is on using methods that are safe, humane and non-toxic to humans and pets alike. We don’t use heat treatment: the specialised heaters required are expensive and need you to remove all furniture and perishables before proceeding: it’s a large undertaking.

Instead, we take a chemical approach. Our chemical flea treatment services generally work in just one visit – although a follow-up visit may be needed for particularly serious infestations. We’ll tailor the treatment to the exact needs of you and your property and we’ll ask you to leave the property while we’re carrying out the treatment. Once complete, we’ll let you know when it’s safe to re-enter and will give you information on next steps – as well as tips for preventing flea infestations in the future.

Preventive Measures for Flea Infestations

There are certain steps you can take to reduce the need for flea pest control services in the future.

If you have pets, inspect and groom them regularly to check for fleas – and wash their bedding, blankets, towels and soft toys in hot water. You should also ensure that you apply vet-recommended flea treatments on a regular basis.

Keeping your home tidy and hygienic will also help – including vacuuming your carpets and upholstery regularly. Remember, a single flea brought into your home can quickly multiply, and these tips will reduce the likelihood of that happening.

It’s also important to know the early signs of a flea infestation. You may see fleas themselves – tiny reddish-brown coloured insects – jumping around your living space or on the fur of your pets. You may find red, itchy bite marks on the skin of either human or animal residents of your home. You might spot flea dirt – tiny dark specks – on your furniture, bedding, pet bedding or carpets.

These can all be signs that fleas are starting to infest your home – and that it’s time to call in the professionals.

That’s where we come in.

Benefits of Hiring Pest Stop Boys

Flea infestations can be upsetting, worrying and embarrassing. At Pest Stop Boys, we’ve seen it all – there’s no judgment here. Our friendly, reliable, experienced and discreet team (we use unmarked vans so nobody needs to know who’s visiting you) have dealt with countless flea infestations over the years – you can be reassured that you’re in safe hands.

While our flea treatment services do involve chemicals, safety is at the forefront of everything we do. Our approach is always mindful of both human and animal residents in the properties we treat, giving you complete peace of mind.

Our Checkatrade reviews praise our professionalism, customer service, efficiency and effectiveness. We want you to reclaim your home from fleas, and that’s why we’ll also give you tips on preventing further infestations down the line. With professional flea pest control you know that you’re resolving the issue first time: no need to worry about any lingering fleas or their eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flea Control

What are the common signs of a flea infestation? 

The most common signs of a flea infestation include pets scratching or biting their fur excessively; visible flea dirt (which presents as small black specks) on pets or in their bedding; red and itchy bites on your skin (particularly around the ankles); and fleas jumping on your carpets, furniture or curtains.

How do fleas enter my home? 

Fleas can enter your home on the fur of pets that go outside and bring them in. They can also come in on the fur of rodents or other wildlife entering your home, or on secondhand furniture or carpets that are already infested.

How long does it take to get rid of fleas? 

The answer depends on how severe the infestation is. Generally, it will take a few days to see a significant reduction in flea activity, and several weeks to completely eliminate all fleas and their life stages. It is also important to undertake ongoing preventative measures so they don’t return.

How often should I have my home treated for fleas? 

This depends on your specific situation. However, we generally recommend that an initial treatment is followed up after a few weeks, and, in some cases, that regular preventative treatments are carried out annually.

Conclusion

We know how distressing it can be to have a home that’s infested with fleas. We’re sure that you’ll want to resolve the issue ASAP – and that’s why professional flea treatment services are so important. Relying on DIY methods may not get rid of the problem completely, prolonging the distress. Choose professional flea pest control and they’ll be out of your hair (and your pets’!) in no time.

Contact us to find out more about our flea control services.