A flea infestation is “difficult to spot until an infestation has fully taken hold”, warned pest expert Dr Jonathan Kirby. According to research conducted by NOPE! around 26% of Britons aren’t confident in identifying fleas, and 30% have no idea how to get rid of them.
While these pests like to hitchhike on cats and dogs into your home, they can also take a ride on clothes or soft furnishings. “Having fleas doesn’t mean that your home is dirty,” Dr Kirby assured. They are, however, a nuisance to eradicate as they have four distinct life stages.
Their life cycle goes from eggs to larva, pupa, then adult flea that are likely to jump onto your feet.
An easy way to spot them is to walk around the house with white socks, as the blood-sucking pests will be looking for a meal.
Noticing them elsewhere, however, can be tricky as they can hide in carpets, around furniture and skirting boards. Dr Kirby advises to keep a look out for “dark brown, red or black spots”.
“Make sure you also pay attention to your animals, looking out for persistent itching and swollen patches, and flea dirt on their fur,” he added.
Dr Kirby warned: “A flea infestation could mean that your home has thousands of fleas at all stages of the flea lifecycle. For this reason, it can take up to four months to completely eradicate them.”
Thankfully, these pests are not impossible to get rid of, just tricky.
How to get rid of fleas
Vacuum daily, wash bedding and soft furnishing on a hot 60C wash, and treat with flea spray. Dr Kirby specifically recommends “cypermethrin-based flea sprays like NOPE! CP, which kill on contact.
“Chrysanthemum-based flea powders like NOPE! Flea Killer Powder can be safely used on and around pet bedding.
“And aerosol smoke bombs, like NOPE! Insect Killer smoke bombs provide superior coverage to reach fleas hidden from sight.”
Pay “special attention to floors, skirting boards and cracks to reach eggs and larvae”, Dr Kirby added. “You can also steam clean carpets for extra protection.”
Any pets in the home have to be treated with suitable flea treatment recommended by a vet.
