Pest control for fleas

​If only it was just pets that brought fleas into the home. With people going away on holidays, for walks in the country or visits to the beach fleas are likely to hitch a ride and come home. It’s not just pets that carry fleas. So once you find them in your house, how do you control fleas so they are no longer a pest?

Will fleas go away on their own?

Flea pupae are protected in a cocoon during their development into adults and they can survive around in this state for quite some time without a host. The fleas only come out when they think that a new host has arrived by detecting movement, warmth and carbon dioxide.

While it’s most likely that the fleas in your home can’t use humans as hosts; if you do have a human flea in your home the lifecycle will complete and fleas will breed, potentially resulting in an infestation in your home.
​
If the fleas do not see humans as hosts, they can’t take a blood meal from people and will eventually die off (as they need a blood meal to produce eggs). That said, it’s possible that your family might get repeatedly bitten until then.

How do I rid my house of fleas?

Here’s how to start eliminating fleas from your home:

1. Use a powerful vacuum on any floors, upholstery, and mattresses. Cracks and other tight spaces are usually good hiding places for fleas, their eggs, larvae, or cocoons. If you can, use a vacuum with a bag you can dispose of without coming into contact with its contents.
2. Use a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. The combination of high heat and soap is the enemy of fleas in all stages of life.
3. Wash all bedding, including your pet’s, in hot water. Dry it at the highest heat setting. If the infestation is severe, consider buying new bedding.
4. Use chemical treatments. Aerosol sprays are recommended over the foggers, as you can direct the spray under beds or other places that the 
   

foggers may be unable to reach. Choose an insecticide that kills adult fleas and an insect growth regulator, that kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae. People and pets shouldn’t come into contact with the spray until it has dried. Be sure to wear gloves when you apply the spray, and only spray when everyone is out of the house.

5. Call a professional. If all else fails or the infestation is too large or ongoing then you should contact a licensed pest controller to use commercial-grade pesticides. 

When should I call pest control for fleas?

​If you have completed the first four steps above and still have fleas in your home, it’s time to call a professional. A single female flea can produce 40-50 eggs per day for up to 50 days.  Fleas can multiply quickly and hide well and you need to cut the cycle before it gets further out of control. 

Is pest control worth it for fleas?

​While you know you have fleas in the home when they bite, what you don’t know is how many eggs or larvae are around and therefore the potential number of adults coming.
 
Most of the time simply using over-the-counter products for controlling fleas will not resolve the root causes of the infestation. Professional pest control treatments will treat all stages of the flea lifecycle, stopping it in its tracks. 

What's the average price for pest control for fleas?

There are a number of things that come into effect when pricing pest control treatments:

• Size of the property
• Type of property
• Size of the infestation
• Number of treatments needed
• Type of pest being treated

 
The best way to get a price for flea control is to contact us or book in.

Being part of the Jim’s group, we have access to Jim’s Pay Plan powered by OpenPay. This system gives you the ability to pay for your pest control service while you’re getting the benefits.

Michael can set up an account for you, on the spot, and depending on the value of the pest control service, you can have between four and 12 months to pay for your treatment.