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Fleas: Important Information for Householders

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Flea Facts

1. One flea will lay up to 25 eggs per day (approximately 800 in its life);
2. Fleas develop from egg to larvae to pupae to adults in 18-26 days (depending on temperature);
3. Fleas can only lay eggs after taking blood from the host animal they are living on;
4. Approximately 90-95% of the fleas are cat fleas;
5. Flea eggs and pupae are not affected by insecticides.  This last fact is very important to understand after we have treated your home.

Treatment of your pet is essential.  Your vet can advise you but a growth inhibitor (a product that stops the development of the flea egg), is very important.  Though the flea lays up to 25 eggs per day, pet and house management can reduce this.

For example:

1. animal grooming - pets will eat/swallow eggs when they clean themselves;
2. vacuuming and cleaning thoroughly (including furniture);
3. treating your pets - go to your vet for advice;
4. outdoor activities - eggs will drop off when pets are outside - groom them outside;
5. special attention to pet bedding and favourite nesting areas - wash the bedding regularly.

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Why have I got Fleas in my house when there are no pets?

1. In the summer months fleas can survive outside and be carried into the house.
2. Visiting friends who have fleas in their homes - you can transport fertile fleas into the home.
3. Visiting any public building - again you can bring them home.
4. Moving into a new house or flat - you can inherit a flea problem.
5. Fleas in the pupae stage can remain dormant for up to 9 months and then hatch when you walk into an empty property.

By the time the pest controller arrives you have probably had fleas for some weeks, maybe months.

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Preparation for Spraying

Before we spray you should :

1. Thoroughly clean, vacuum or sweep your premises prior to treatment;
2. Close all windows and air vents;
3. Cover or properly store all exposed foodstuffs;
4. Remove all plants from the areas to be treated;
5. Ensure that all pets (cats, dogs, birds, etc) are removed from the areas to be treated and that they do not gain access until the rooms have been ventilated;
6. Remove or cover fish tanks;
7. Cover record players, cassette recorders, video recorders and other similar equipment.  Ensure that these items are not placed on the floor.
8. The premises must be vacated for a minimum of 3 hours.
9. On your return to the premises, windows should be opened to ventilate the treated rooms.

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After the Treatment

We expect that the flea control treatment carried out will be successful and we hope that the following advice will also be of assistance.

The floors of your property will be covered by a layer of insecticide which is odourless and invisible.  It has a very good residual effect which means that it will continue to work for some time if left undisturbed.  Adult fleas will be killed within a few days but the floor should not be vacuumed, swept or washed for at least two weeks after treatment because there will still be eggs which will continue to hatch.

As the eggs hatch and develop you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment.  This is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them.  This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.

If you have a cat or dog at the premises it should also be treated for fleas without delay using a veterinary recommended treatment.  If your require further information on this please consult your vet.

If you find you still have fleas four weeks after this treatment please contact us and we will arrange for a Pest Control Officer to investigate further.

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Causes of Re-infestation

1. Vacuuming before the 10 days is up.
2. Picking up fertile fleas from different locations.
3. Not treating your pets or not following the product's instructions.
4. Poor house management.
5. The insecticide is effective for approximately 6 weeks - depending on house management.

It is for these reasons that we do not guarantee 100% eradication of the flea infestation.  So it is essential you understand the life-cycle.  Remember that fleas will still be developing even after we spray, whether it be your own fleas or the ones that are brought in.  We know that the insecticides work; with your help and ours your flea problem can be controlled.

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Contact Information

For further information on fleas and pest control, please contact Environmental Protection

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This page last updated: 21/02/2005