Our Technicians are experienced in the detection and control of fleas both indoors and outdoors. We have a wide selection of pesticides including dusts, sprays and insect growth regulators and professional application equipment. Our Technicians will provide you with advice about preventing re-infestation.

Why are they considered to be pests?

Historically, fleas have been very significant vectors of deadly diseases, particularly the plague and typhus. Transmission of disease from rats to humans has been, and still is, of immense importance. Irritation due the injection of saliva is very common and infections of the wound site can subsequently result. Where infestations occur, frequent and multiple bites to ankles and lower legs are common.

​

What can home owners do to control them?

Regular and thorough vacuuming of carpets is very important. Pay particular attention to less disturbed areas such as carpet edges and under beds and furniture. If the presence of fleas is known:

​

• The contents of vacuum cleaners should then be emptied into a bin outside in a sealed air tight garbage bag.

• Keep pets outside and deny them access to sub-floor areas.

• Treat pets and their bedding and eradicate mice and rats from the property.   

Flea Treatments

Fleas are most active in the warmer months from November to March. The treatment process of fleas is 7-14 days long to ensure eradication of all fleas at each stage of the life cycle. When the fleas move around they collect the flea pest control treatment on their legs and when they groom themselves they ingest the microdots of the treatment.

FLEAS

FLEA FACTS

Fleas belong to the order Syphonaptera (pipe-without wing). They are a highly specialised group of insects with biting and sucking mouth parts in the adult stage, used for feeding on blood from their host animal. Fleas are wingless and have laterally compressed bodies to facilitate movement through hair and fur. Evolution has equipped them instead with clawed legs for grappling and powerful hind legs for jumping onto their host. The adult female lays its eggs, usually on its host, after each blood meal but most of the eggs fall off and can be distributed anywhere that the host travels.      

Flea larvae feed on organic material in sub-floor and garden soil but also on human skin scales and any food crumbs that may accumulate in carpets etc. An interesting adaptation is the ability of flea pupa to delay their transition to adulthood for several months if no host animal is available. Vibrations from a large animal can then stimulate their final hatching within minutes of detection.