What are they doing in my home?
Are you getting bitten on your legs or ankles? Unlike bedbugs the flea can be quite visible and are often seen as and when they jump to or from the host. If you have cats or dogs or have just moved into a property that had pets you are at risk from fleas and flea bites. In Thanet we have a large fox population and this can also cause flea problems in the garden and home. Flea larvae feed on the faeces of adult fleas which contain digested blood so thorough cleaning /vacuuming will certainly help manage flea problems until professional help arrives. Flea droppings is best described as ground black pepper and a careful search may indicate there presence.
I am getting bitten, what can I do?
We often find fleas infestations in Thanet when we are dealing with large mice or rat problems. If you do have pets in the home it is recommended that a professional veterinarian-approved flea control product is used on cats and dogs prior to any flea control treatment undertaken. If your dog or cat is scratching themselves repeatedly this may be another indication of a flea problem. The use of growth regulators are the professional choice in managing and eliminating flea problems in Thanet. A full site inspection must be undertaken prior to infestation so that we can identify the source and extent of infestation and have a targeted approach to the infestation. Fleas are primarily ground dwelling, except when on the host, and our treatment will primary resolve around a residual application of the floor and flooring areas which will include the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms and hallway areas. On occasion we will need to treat the garden particularly if there is a significant fox population in the area and we determine that this is the source of the flea problem.
What are fleas exactly?
We have two species of Flea in Thanet that cause problems to homeowners and tenants and they are the Dog Flea (Ctenocephalides canis) and the Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis).Both specie are 3mm long and the cat flea is reddish –brown in appearance and the dog flea is slightly darker reddish black with long tapering legs which of course allows them to jump considerable distances. Movement, heat and vibration alongside carbon dioxide help fleas detect your whereabouts in the property.
Fleas have four life stages and are egg, larva, and pupa and then adult and control in all of the life stages are essential for guaranteed pest control results.
FLEA CONTROL TIPS:
- THOROUGH VACUUMING PRIOR TO TREATMENT (EMPTY THE BAG!)
- FREQUENTLY WASH AND DRY PET BEDDING
- Professional veterinarian-approved flea control product
- SCHEDULED PEST CONTROL TREATMENT WITH 2 VISITS SPACED 2 WEEKS APART
- OTHER PEST SPECIES TO BE IDENTIFIED AND CONTROLLED