Fleas

A service is provided by Environmental Health for the eradication of fleas at domestic properties at a subsidised rate (see fees and charges).

The most common fleas to infest homes are the cat and dog flea. Fleas are usually brought into homes by pets. The adult flea will leave the animal and get under the edge of carpets, into the seams of furniture, into pets bedding or anywhere quiet and warm. Here the female will lay her eggs which will hatch after a few days. The female feeds the larvae on semi-digested blood.

After a week the larvae pupate and will turn into adult fleas. The fleas will not emerge as an adult until it knows it can get a feed on blood. It is able to sense the vibration of an animal or human passing by. Fleas can hatch in huge numbers when people enter a house that has been empty for sometime. In either summer or in centrally heated houses it takes a week to ten days to go from an egg to an adult.

A Pest Control Officer will visit your property to treat a flea infestation. He will spray your homes with an insecticide to kill the fleas. The insecticide has to be mixed with water so there is no risk from fire. You may notice a faint mark when the spray has dried out. The insecticide is very safe for humans and pets provided that you following the instruction provided by the pest control officer.

If in the event that you have cause to contact the Council to treat a problem with fleas, a treatment can be arranged over the phone and every effort will be made to visit your property the next working day.

If you require further information or would like to book a treatment you can contact us by post, phone or email.