A few flea facts
Fleas are sneaky little critters. They only start sucking blood when they’re adults, and they are perfectly equipped for piercing skin and sucking blood from their host, which is usually your pet, and if you're unlucky - also you.
-
Lifespan: A flea can live anywhere from 14 days to a year.
-
Egg-laying: A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs in a single day – that’s 1,500 eggs over her lifetime!
-
Super jumpers: Some flea species can leap more than a hundred times their own body length.
-
Home invaders: It’s estimated that 95% of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae live in the environment (such as your garden, lush carpet or your comfy, squishy sofa), not on your pet.
Treat your pet
If you've spotted little black specks in your pets fur, treat them quickly - whether it’s a spot-on treatment, a flea collar, or oral medication, make sure you’re using a product that’s vet-recommended for your pet. How to spot fleas
Clean, clean, clean
Once your pet’s sorted, it’s time to give your home a thorough once-over. Fleas love to hide in carpets, rugs, and pet bedding, so focus on these hotspots.
Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum!
-
Pay special attention to areas where your pet likes to hang out. After vacuuming, empty the contents into bag, seal it so nothing can escape and put it into your general waste bin.
-
Repeat this every day for at least a week.
Wash, wash, wash!
Wash all your pet’s bedding, your bedding (if they like to share), and any soft furnishings they might have had contact with. Use hot water, as fleas can’t handle the heat.Steam clean
If you have one, it's time to break out the steam cleaner. The high temperatures will help eliminate any fleas and their eggs hiding in your carpets.
Prevention is definitely better than cure
It's hard work getting rid of fleas, so you’ll want to keep them from coming back:
-
Make sure your pet stays on their flea treatment year-round, especially during the warmer months when fleas are most active.
-
Keep up with regular vacuuming and washing of pet bedding.
-
Keep your garden tidy, and consider planting flea-repelling plants such as lavender and rosemary. Not only do they smell great, but they can also help keep those pesky fleas at bay.
-
Call in the pest control pros (if you need to).
Flea-free and fabulous!
Getting rid of fleas might take a bit of effort, but with the right approach, your home will be flea-free in no time.
