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Or we'll call you...
The Flea (parasite)
Key features
Adult fleas are between 1-3 mm long and brownish in colour. Their bodies are compressed from side to side which enables the flea to move through fur and feather with ease. The hind legs of a flea are relatively large and are used for jumping heights of up to 16 cm. Flea eggs are pearl white in colour, oval shaped and approximately 0.5 mm long. The pupa is about 6 mm long and may be yellow, brown or black. The larva is a typical maggot. It undergoes larval moults, gradually increasing in size and changing colour from white to cream.
Biology
The female flea lay several hundred eggs after each blood meal in the cat's fur, bedding or resting area and in areas where the cat would be found, Flea eggs are small and white. After several weeks the eggs drop off and hatch into tiny hairy worm-like larvae. The larvae are quite often found where the animal sleeps, along baseboards, in carpets and around furniture. Pupa's mature to adulthood within a cocoon woven by the larva to which dust, pet hair, carpet fibres, and other debris adhere. After 5 to 14 days adult fleas emerge from the cocoon. Fleas can live up to 2 months or 1year without eating and cannot survive or lay eggs without blood. People may be bitten by fleas, especially when populations are high, fleas will not live or reproduce on humans.
Significance
Fleas can be carriers of disease or may transmit parasitic worms. Both cat and dog fleas are intermediate hosts of the dog tapeworm which can sometimes be transmitted to man. Generally, in the UK fleas are not responsible for the transmission of disease. However, they are still objectionable due to the bites they inflict. Fleabites are identified as a small dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area. The bite persists for one or two days and maybe intensely irritating.
How they live
The eggs hatch after one week into white thread-like larvae. The larvae thrive in dark, humid places such as carpets and animal bedding.
After two or three weeks when they are fully-grown the larvae spin a cocoon and pupate. The adult usually emerges within seven weeks but can remain as a pupa throughout the winter only emerging when triggered by the movement close by of a suitable host. This explains the occasional mass attacks which take place in homes that have been empty for a long time. The complete life cycle will normally last four weeks but may take longer at low temperatures.
Flea treatment advice
Please follow the instructions outlined below prior to having treatment domestic flea problems:
- Remove all small items from the floor
- Thoroughly vacuum clean the house and throw away the bag. If using a bagless vacuum cleaner clean out the chamber with disinfectant.
- All the carpeted areas of the house will be sprayed.
- The property must then be vacated for at least 4 hours. All pets must be removed too.
- After the treatment do not vacuum for at least 14 days.
Practical advice
- Provide your cat or dog with a flea collar.
- Check your animal for fleas on a regular basis.
- Treat your cat or dog with an approved flea product.
- Brush your cat or dog thoroughly with a flea comb.
- Don't forget to treat your pet's basket/bedding area.
- Maintain a good level of housekeeping.
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Operational Areas and Postcodes
Pest Control East London
E1 Whitechapel, Stepney, Mile End E2 Bethnal Green, Shoreditch,E3 Bow, Bromley-by-Bow, E4 Chingford, Highams Park, E5 Clapton, E6 East Ham, E7 Forest Gate, Upton Park, E8 Hackney, Dalston, E9 Hackney, Homerton, E10 Leyton, E11 Leytonstone, E12 Manor Park, E13 Plaistow, E14 Poplar, Millwall, Isle of Dogs, Docklands, E15 Stratford, West Ham, E16 Canning Town, North Woolwich, Docklands, E17 Walthamstow, E18 South Woodford, IG1 Ilford, IG2 Gants Hill, IG3 SevenKings, IG4 Redbridge, IG5 Clayhall, IG6 Barkingside, IG7 Hainault, IG8 Woodford Green, IG9 Buckhurst Hill, IG10 Loughton, IG11 Barking
Pest Control North London & Pest Control North West London
N1 Islington, Barnsbury, Canonbury, N2 East Finchley, N3 Finchley Central, N4 Finsbury Park, Manor House, N5 Highbury, N6 Highgate, N7 Holloway, N8 Hornsey, Crouch End, N9 Lower Edmonton, N10 Muswell Hill, N11 Friern Barnet, New Southgate, N12 North Finchley, Woodside Park, N13 Palmers Green, N14 Southgate, N15 Seven Sisters, N16 Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill, N17 Tottenham, N18 Upper Edmonton, N19 Archway, Tufnell Park, N20 Whetstone, Totteridge, N21 Winchmore Hill, N22 Wood Green, Alexandra Palace, NW1 Regent's Park, Camden Town, NW2 Cricklewood, Neasden, NW3 Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, NW4 Hendon, Brent Cross, NW5 Kentish Town, NW6 West Hampstead, Kilburn, NW7 Mill Hill, NW8 St John's Wood, NW9 Kinsbury, Colindale, NW10 Willesden, Harlesden, Kensal Green, NW11 Golders Green, Hampstead Gdn Suburb.
Pest Control South London, Pest Control South East London & Pest Control South West London
SE1 Waterloo, Bermondsey, Southwark, Borough, SE2 Abbey Wood, SE3 Blackheath, Westcombe Park, SE4 Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak Park, SE5 Camberwell, SE6 Catford, Hither Green, Bellingham,SE7 Charlton,SE8 Deptford,SE9 Eltham, Mottingham
SE10 Greenwich ,SE11 Lambeth,SE12 Lee, Grove Park ,SE13 Lewisham, Hither Green,SE14 New Cross, New Cross Gate,SE15 Peckham, Nunhead,SE16 Rotherhithe, South Bermonsey , Surrey Docks,SE17 Walworth, Elephant & Castle,SE18 Woolwich, Plumstead
SE19 Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace,SE20 Penge, Anerley,SE21 Dulwich,SE22 East Dulwich,SE23 Forest Hill,SE24 Herne Hill,SE25 South Norwood,SE26 Sydenham,SE27 West Norwood, Tulse Hill,SE28 Thamesmead,SW1 Westminster, Belgravia, Pimlico,SW2 Brixton, Streatham Hill,SW3 Chelsea, Brompton,SW4 Clapham,SW5 Earl's Court,SW6 Fulham, Parson's Green,SW7 South Kensington,SW8 South Lambeth, Nine Elms,SW9 Stockwell, Brixton,SW10 West Brompton, World's End,SW11 Battersea, Clapham Junction,SW12 Balham,SW13 Barnes, Castelnau,SW14 Mortlake, East Sheen,SW15 Putney, Roehampton,SW16 Streatham, Norbury,SW17 Tooting, Mitcham,SW18 Wandsworth, Southfields,SW19 Wimbldon, Colliers Wood, Southfields,SW20 West Wimbledon, Raynes Park,
Pest Control Central London, Pest Control City of London
WC1 Bloomsbury, Gray's Inn,WC2 Covent Garden, Holborn, Strand,EC1 Clerkenwell, Finsbury, Barbican,EC2 Moorgate, Liverpool Street,EC3 Monument, Tower Hill, Aldgate, EC4 Fleet Street, St. Paul's.
Pest Control West London
W2 Padington,W3 Acton,W4 Chiswick,W5 Ealing,W6 Hammersmith W7 Hanwell,W8 Kensington,W9 Maida Vale,W10 North Kensington W11 Notting Hill,W12 Shephards Bush,W13 West Ealing,W14 West Kensington
Pest Control Essex
CM0 Southminster, Burnham-on-Crouch, Bradwell, Tillingham, Asheldham, Dengie,CM1 Chelmsford, Writtle,CM2 Chelmsford,CM3 South Woodham Ferrers, Boreham,CM4 Blackmore, Fryerning, Ingatestone, Stock,CM5 Chipping Ongar, Bobbingworth, Moreton, The Lavers, The Rodings,CM6 Great Dunmow, Felsted,CM7 Braintree,CM8 Witham,CM9 Maldon, Tollesbury, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Tolleshunt Knights,CM10 Bexleyheath,CM11 Billericay (East), Great Burstead,CM12 Billericay (West),CM13 Brentwood, East Horndon, Great Warley, Herongate, Hutton, Ingrave, Little
Warley, West Horndon,CM14 Brentwood,CM15 Brentwood, Doddinghurst, Kelvedon Hatch, Mountnessing, Stondon Massey,CM16 Epping, Theydon Bois,CM17 Harlow,CM18 Harlow,CM19 Harlow, Roydon, Essex,CM20 Harlow,CM21 Sawbridgeworth,CM22 Bishop's Stortford
CM23 Bishop's Stortford,CM24 Stansted Mountfitchet,RM1 Romford,RM2 Gidea Park,RM2 Gidea Park,RM2 Gidea Park,RM3 Harold Wood,RM4 Havering-atte-Bower,RM5 Collier Row,RM5 Collier Row,RM6 Chadwell Heath,RM7 Rush Green,RM8 Becontree Heath,RM10 Dagenham,RM11 Emerson Park,RM12 Hornchurch ,RM13 Rainham,RM14 Upminster,RM15 South Ockendon, Aveley,RM16 Chafford Hundred, Chadwell St. Mary, North Stifford, Orsett,RM17 Grays, Badgers Dene,RM18 Tilbury, East Tilbury, West Tilbury,RM19 Purfleet,RM20 West Thurrock, South Stifford,IG1 Ilford,IG2 Gants Hill,IG3 Seven Kings,IG4 Redbridge,IG5 Clayhall,IG6 Barkingside,IG7 Hainault,IG8 Woodford Green,IG9 Buckhurst Hill,IG10 Loughton,IG11 Barking
Pest Control Hertfordshire & Pest Control Middlesex
EN1 Enfield,EN2 Enfield Town,EN3 Ponders End,EN4 Cockfosters,EN5 Barnet,EN6 Potters Bar, South Mimms, Cuffley, Northaw,EN7 Cheshunt,EN8 Waltham Cross,EN9 Waltham Abbey,EN10 Broxbourne, EN11 Hoddesdon,HA0 Wembley,HA9 Wembley,HA1 Harrow,HA1 Harrow,HA2 Harrow,HA3 Kenton,Wealdstone,HA4 Ruislip,HA5 Pinner,HA6 Northwood,HA7 Stanmore,HA8 Edgware, AL1 St Albans,AL2 St Albans, Bricket Wood, Colney Street, Frogmore, London Colney, Napsbury, Park
Street, Potters Crouch,AL3 St Albans, Childwickbury, Flamstead, Gorhambury, Markyate, Porters Wood,
Redbourne, Sandridge,AL4 St Albans, Colney Heath, London Colney, Marshalswick, Oaklands, Sandridge,
Smallford, Tyttenhanger, Wheathampstead,AL5 Harpenden,AL6 Welwyn, Ayot St Peter, Ayot St Lawrence, Digswell, Rabley Heath, Tewin,AL7 Welwyn Garden City,AL8 Welwyn Garden City, Lemsford,AL9 Hatfield, Brookmans Park, Essendon, North Mymms, AL10 Hatfield,WD3 Batchworth Heath, Chandlers Cross, Chenies, Chorleywood, Croxley Green,
Heronsgate, Loudwater, Maple Cross, Mill End, Rickmansworth, Sarratt, West Hyde,WD4 Bucks Hill, Chipperfield, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley,WD5 Bedmond, Abbots Langley,WD6 Borehamwood, Elstree, Well End,WD7 Shenley, Radlett,WD17 Watford, Cassiobury, Nascot Wood, WD18 West Watford,WD19 Oxhey, South Oxhey,WD23 Bushey, Bushey Heath,WD24 North Watford,WD25 Garston, Aldenham, Leavesden, Letchmore Heath,UB1 Southall,UB2 Norwood Green,UB3 Hayes,UB4 Yeading,UB5 Northolt,UB6 Greenford,UB7 West Drayton,UB8 Uxbridge,UB9 Harefield,UB10 Hillingdon.
Pest Control Richmond, Pest Control Surrey & Pest Control Kingston upon Thames
SM1 Sutton,SM2 Belmont,SM3 Cheam,SM4 Morden,SM5 Carshalton,SM6 Wallington,TN14 Cudham,TN14 Cudham,TN16 Biggin Hill,TW1 Twickenham,TW2 Whitton,TW3 Hounslow,TW4 Hounslow West,TW5 Heston,TW6 Heathrow,TW7 Isleworth,TW8 Brentford,TW8 Brentford,TW9 Richmond,TW10 Ham,TW11 Teddington,TW12 Hampton,TW13 Feltham,TW14 Hatton,TW15 Ashford,TW16 Sunbury-on-Thames,TW17 Shepperton,TW18 Staines, Egham Hythe,TW19 Stanwell, Wraysbury,TW20 Egham, Englefield Green,KT1 Kingston,KT2 Norbiton,KT2 Norbiton,KT3 New Malden,KT4 Worcester ParkKT5 Berrylands,KT6 Surbiton,KT9 Chessington,CR0 Croydon,CR9 Croydon,CR2 South Croydon,CR4 Mitcham,CR5 Coulsdon,CR7 Thornton Heath,CR8 Purley.
Pest Control Kent
BR1 Bromley,BR2 Bromley, Keston,BR3 Beckenham,BR4 West Wickham,BR5 St Mary Cray,BR6 Orpington,BR7 Chislehurst,DA1 Crayford,DA5 Bexley,DA6 Bexleyheath,DA7 Bexleyheath,DA8 Erith,DA14 Sidcup,DA15 Sidcup,DA16 Welling,DA17 Belvedere.
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Pest Control North London , Pest Control East London, Pest Control West London, Pest Control South London , Pest Control Kent, Pest Control Surrey, Pest Control Hertfordshire , Pest Control Essex, Pest Control Middlesex