Flea control in Adelaide

​As the weather warms, fleas start to breed. People start to spend more time outside or even away. All ways that fleas can be brought into the home. That’s right, it’s not just your pets that can bring fleas into the home. That’s when Adelaide home owners wonder how they’re going to control these blood sucking fleas. 

The problem with fleas

​Other than the irritation flea bites can cause, there are few diseases that fleas transmit in Adelaide. The most common disease humans get from fleas is tapeworm. Fleas can spread the typhus disease. Typhus is caused when flea bites become infected as a result of flea-faecal contamination. Thankfully, this is uncommon.
Fleas are most notorious for transmitting bubonic plague from wild rodents to humans in some parts of the world. However, this is not known to occur in Australia.
Main flea species in Australia are:

• Cat flea, which is the most common flea in Australia. It attacks dogs, rats, humans and other mammals.
• Dog flea, which is less common than the cat flea, but similar in appearance. This flea attacks a wide variety of mammals.
• Human flea, which is uncommon due to the increase in home hygiene standards. This flea also attacks dogs, pigs, rats and mice.

Adult fleas may remain resting in their cocoon until they sense vibration (caused by movement), pressure, heat, noise or carbon dioxide. The ability to sense vibration explains why flea bites can occur after entering a house that has been unoccupied for some time.
When adult fleas emerge from their cocoons, they are ready for their first blood feed. Adults are quite active, crawling and jumping in hair or fur.
Adult fleas can survive for many months without feeding. Flea saliva contains anticoagulants to keep the blood flowing so they can feed easily.

Controlling fleas

Maintaining a high standard of hygiene is very important in controlling fleas without the use of pesticides.
Controlling fleas in and around your home doesn’t stop with treating pets, it takes an attack on multiple fronts.

Pet flea control

​It is common for fleas to be found in areas where household pets rest. These areas should be controlled first. Pet bedding should be thoroughly vacuumed or preferably steam cleaned.
Check for fleas by parting the fur, particularly around the ears and rump. Look for adult and faeces and treat with a vet recommended control.
Ensuring pets and animals cannot access areas beneath the house can also help to minimise the chance of fleas spreading indoors.

Garden flea control

Outside, loose debris and weeds should be removed and the lawns mowed. This helps expose their environment and is a good integrated pest management tool. Larvae are known to prefer shaded areas.

The next thing is to treat subfloors, sheds, outdoor areas where pets sit or sleep. It’s also preferable to keep pets out from under subfloor areas as they are the preferred flea breeding ground.
In Adelaide, it’s important to also control rodents that carry fleas. Closing of subfloor areas will block off nesting grounds and internal access to rooms or wall cavities of your home. 

Home flea control

After pets, the home is the most common place we attack fleas. Like lice, it's important to thoroughly clean where fleas live to be rid of all fleas at all life stages. That means using a number of methods:

• ​Cleaning and mopping hard floors.
• Vacuum carpets and rugs.
• Cleaning where pets sit or lay.
• Cleaning bedding in hot water.

All hard floors and furnishings should be thoroughly swept and washed. All carpet and furnishings should be vacuumed, paying particular attention along seams and joins. Soft furnishings and beddings should be washed in hot water to kill eggs and larvae.

The final thing is to call Michael at MD Pest Control and book a time for a professional flea pest control treatment.