UK households have been warned about the arrival of one type of pest in September, which can be difficult to get rid of. However, one sure way to do that is by steam cleaning any carpets you have in your house. Many Brits have a fear of insects, but even if they don’t, these creatures are just a general annoyance in your home. And sometimes, they can actually pose a threat to your health and the wellbeing of any pets you might have in your household.
But experts have shared advice as to what you can do when you get an infestation in your home, and which ones to be aware of in the month of September. According to Pest UK, fleas are a common problem in September. “With fleas, the population usually peaks in the autumn, but there are other factors that make flea calls more common around this time of year,” they warn. Travel is a factor at play, as Brits travelling abroad may bring fleas home on their clothes without even realising when returning from their holidays.
They add: “Also in the warmer weather cats will spend more time outside in the sun. The warmth speeds up the metabolism of the fleas making them more hungry, with the cat not in the house the fleas will then feed on people.”
Luckily, experts have shared the numerous ways you can try to get rid of fleas from your home. One of them, as advised by home care specialists Angi, is to steam clean your carpets.
This is an effective way to kill fleas that are in your home, as carpets are a likely place for them to be. Adult fleas, as well as their eggs and larvae, will be killed when steam cleaning due to the high temperatures.
You should make sure that the steam is 35C or higher to make sure it is as effective as possible. Before you break out the steamer, it’s important to vacuum first. This could get rid of a lot of the fleas before you have to steam, adding to the effectiveness of your efforts.
The bugs are sensitive to high heat, making steam cleaning a good choice. However, you should check the manufacturer’s label on your carpets to make sure that they are suitable for steam cleaning.
If you suspect fleas might be present in your home, you should also wash all linens, treat pets, and try commercial traps.