Flea treatment in Almere: how to be sure
A flea is small, dark brown and jumps surprisingly far. Usually it is the cat flea, which is just as happy to bite a dog or a person. These signs point to fleas in the house:
- itchy bites around the ankles and lower legs, often several close together
- a pet scratching or licking more than usual
- black grains in the fur or pet bed that turn reddish brown on a damp tissue
- specks jumping on a light floor or white socks
- more bites just after you have been away from home for a while
That last sign is typical: pupae wait in cracks and rugs for vibration and warmth, then hatch in large numbers as soon as someone comes home.
Why treating your pet alone is not enough
The adult fleas on your cat or dog are only a small part of the problem. A female lays her eggs in the coat, and they drop off: into the basket, onto the sofa, into the carpet and into the joints of a laminate floor. Larvae develop there, hiding in dark spots and feeding on dust and flea droppings.
After the larval stage they spin a cocoon. A pupa is well protected and can wait a long time for a host. That is why you may still see new fleas for weeks after spot-on drops from the vet. Only when the home is treated too do you really break the cycle.
How we deal with fleas in your home
During the inspection we look at where your pet sleeps and lies, which floors and furniture you have and where larvae could be hiding. We then tailor the treatment to your home, treating floors, cracks along skirting boards, rugs and upholstered furniture with a professional product that also targets the young stages; only certified pest controllers may use it.
It works best when your vet treats your pet around the same time. Afterwards we tell you how long to keep out of the rooms and when you can mop again. That way, the treatment of your home complements the treatment of your animal. For other pests, too, you can rely on our pest control in Almere.
Dos and don'ts
Vacuuming is your most important weapon, before and after the treatment. Vacuum floors, rugs, sofas, the car and especially the places where your pet lies, then empty the vacuum straight into the wheelie bin outside. Wash blankets and cushions from the pet bed at 60 degrees.
Less effective: relying on a flea collar alone, or using a flea bomb from an online shop that does not reach under furniture or into cracks. Do not stop vacuuming as soon as things seem better either, because the last pupae hatch later. No pets, and bites mainly on the arms and shoulders after a night's sleep? Then it may be another insect; see bed bug treatment.
Preventing a repeat
Once the infestation is over, keep your pet protected all year round on your vet's advice, not just in summer. Fleas thrive in a heated house in winter too. Wash the pet bed regularly and vacuum your animal's favourite spots more often than the rest of the house.
Have a visiting dog or a new kitten checked first. And if you have just moved into a home where the previous occupants kept a dog or cat, watch out for bites in the first few weeks: old pupae in the floor can wake up as soon as there is life in the house again.
