Flea treatment in Rotterdam: making sure it is fleas
A flea is tiny, dark brown and jumps a surprising distance, yet you rarely see one walking about. Most household fleas are cat fleas, which happily bite dogs and people too. The adults live on the animal, but the eggs, larvae and pupae live in your home: in the carpet, between floorboards and in the pet bed. Typical signs are:
- clusters of red, itchy bumps, mainly on the ankles and lower legs
- a pet scratching, licking or nibbling its coat more than usual
- black specks in the coat or bedding that turn red on damp kitchen paper
- fleas jumping up from a rug or sofa as you walk past
Where the fleas come from
It nearly always starts with a pet: a cat roaming the gardens or a dog playing with other dogs. But you can get fleas without an animal of your own, for instance if the previous occupant had a cat, or if there is a hedgehog in the garden or a bird's nest under the roof tiles.
Flea pupae can lie in their cocoons for a long time until vibration or warmth makes them hatch. That is why fleas often strike shortly after people move into a home that has stood empty for a while. The longer you wait, the more eggs end up in the house. As with any pest, our pest control in Rotterdam looks at the source first and the treatment second.
Our flea treatment: home and pet together
During the inspection we confirm that it really is fleas and which rooms are affected. Your pet's sleeping spots, the sofa, rugs and wooden floors with gaps get extra attention. We then treat those areas with a professional product, aimed at the places where larvae and pupae shelter.
Have your pet treated by the vet in the same period. Without that combination the fleas come back: a treated house with an untreated cat, or the other way round, buys only a short respite. For a few weeks after treatment you may still see the odd flea. These are pupae hatching later, and they die soon afterwards.
Vacuuming, washing and what to avoid
Vacuuming is your most important tool, before and after treatment. It removes eggs and larvae, and the vibration coaxes adult fleas out of their cocoons so the product can reach them.
- Vacuum floors, gaps, skirting boards, the sofa and the car daily if your dog travels in it.
- Empty the vacuum cleaner outdoors into a sealed bag after every session.
- Wash your pet's bed, cushions and blankets on a hot cycle.
- Do not mop the floor straight after treatment, so the product can do its job.
Bites but no pet, and mostly at night in bed? Then consider bed bugs as well. Our bed bug treatment page explains how to recognise them.
