URBAN MYTH: Flea Infestations are from Pets

If you think that you’ll never have a flea problem in your home because you don’t have pets, think again. It’s a common misconception that flea infestations are from pets. While fleas like to hitch a ride into your home in animal fur, they can also come in on infested items of furniture or clothing.

I Don’t Have Pets, So How did I Get a Flea Infestation?

There are several ways you can get a flea infestation in your home when you don’t have pets.

• You can bring them into your home on infested items such as second-hand furniture;

• If you’ve visited a friend or family member whose pet has fleas, you can bring them home with you;

• Wild animals like foxes can bring them into your home or garden;

• Fleas can thrive in birds’ nests and they can find their way into your home.

I Think I Have a Flea Infestation, What Now?

If you suspect you have a flea infestation in your home, you need to act fast. Fleas breed fast. An adult female can lay as many as 1000 eggs during her lifetime and these eggs can hatch in as little as two days, depending on the conditions.

If you have pets, we’d usually say look out for signs of them scratching more often. But if you don’t, look out for bites on your own body. Though fleas do prefer animal hosts, they’ll feed on human hosts if there is no alternative. The issue with checking for bites is identifying whether or not they actually came from a flea. Bites from pests like bed bugs can look quite similar so this is where an experienced professional pest control company comes in. They’ll able to identify the pest that’s causing the issue and advise you on the best course of action to rid your home of them.

Flea Infestation in Your Home? Here’s What You Can Do

As well as hiring professional pest control, you can do your bit to prevent and control fleas at all stages of their lifecycle. This is key because if you kill the adult fleas you can see but you don’t get rid of the eggs, the cycle of infestation will just keep on going.

• Vacuum thoroughly and regularly to eradicate adult fleas, larvae, and eggs. Get into all the nooks and crannies like the areas under furniture that you don’t often move. Empty your vacuum afterwards into a rubbish bag then secure it and put it in the bin outside.

• Think about steam cleaning your carpets because the heat can kill fleas in all stages of their life cycle.

• Wash bedding, furniture covers, and rugs on the hottest possible wash.

Need Help With a Flea Infestation?

If you don’t have pets, but you have a flea infestation, you might feel really unlucky. But fleas don’t just travel into homes on pets, so it pays to be vigilant. If you’ve seen signs of infestation, call Contego for a fast, effective, and responsive treatment.

Ready to claim your home back from those unwanted invaders?

Call Contego.