Pest Control for Fleas
Fleas are resilient and can carry and pass on disease to animals and humans.
See flea life cycle (above).
It is important that you have an understanding of flea treatments and what to expect so please take the time to read this information.
Note that fleas can not only make you very itchy they can also spread a variety of diseases including viral and bacterial diseases to humans and their companion pets. (Source - Wiki)
The life cycle of the flea is similar to that of a moth – egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon) and finally the adult flea emerges.
A newly emerged adult flea is unfed, small, black and aggressive – some people mistakenly refer to these as ground or sand fleas.
After they have had a blood meal, fleas lighten in colour and become larger.
Recently a Sanctuary Pest Control technician visited a property that was infested with fleas.
We thought the resulting flea bites on his leg were worth a picture!
Sometimes flea treatments appear to be ineffective as these small black fleas are still seen after the treatment.
This is because the pupae are quite resistant to chemicals. Fleas continue to emerge from the pupae because insecticides cannot penetrate the flea pupal case.
There is a residual treatment on the floor and the newly emerged fleas will come into contact with this treatment and die. This cycle may take up to two weeks.
In summer, a flea may be ready to hatch from the pupa about 7-14 days after it is formed, however they can remain dormant for up to 18 months. Hatching of the flea from the pupa is triggered by nearby movement, predominantly during warm, moist weather conditions. This is why, after a home has been vacant for some time and new occupants move in, there is suddenly flea activity.
Flea bombs from the supermarket are seldom successful as most do not have a larvaecide and the mist goes into the air and when it falls there is not much chance of it penetrating the flooring materials.
Please phone us or email us to make a booking for a flea treatment or for any other information you need in regard to pest control in or around your home or business.
