HOW TO PREVENT FLEAS

It can be difficult to control a flea infestation when these little blood suckers establish themselves in your home. It doesn’t help that these insects can lay up to 50 eggs per day, are tiny and can jump to an incredible height or long distance for their size. The best way to prevent fleas is to not get them in the first place. Fortunately, there are several precautions you can take to minimise the chance of an invasion. If you are currently in the midst of dealing with fleas or if you just want to find out ways to prevent them for future reference, here’s how to keep fleas out of your house.

How to treat fleas in the home

Protect your pets

If you have any pets who like to roam around outside, the area that they frequent the most to shelter from the sun is in fact the place where there is likely to be a flea infestation. Pets are the most common carrier for fleas and can bring the pest indoors. Make sure your pet is well-groomed and washed regularly; trimming their hair or fur will improve the effectiveness of washing as well as reduce the opportunity for fleas to hide from light, which they hate. Ask your vet for advice on treating your pet for fleas. Pet bedding should be washed weekly with hot water and outdoor kennels should be regularly treated with surface sprays, after the bedding has been removed.

A rigorous cleaning routine

Reduce the chances of a flea infestation by keeping your home clean. Fleas love to live away from light in the deepest recesses of carpets, rugs and even inside the fabric of soft furnishings, so make sure you thoroughly vacuum these hotspots. These pests also make themselves comfortable in cracks between wood floor panels and in poorly lit corners so make sure that you never neglect these hard-to-reach places. Vacuum bags should be discarded immediately after use as they could potentially contain fleas and their eggs; in fact, it is a good idea to squirt a little surface spray into the vacuum bag before disposal. If you have had a recent outbreak, prevent fleas from returning by vacuuming often. Wash your bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets and any linen on a hot setting to catch any fleas or larvae that may be hiding in the sheets.

Prevention with Mortein

If you are looking for round-the-clock protection from fleas, use the Mortein NaturGard Multi-Insect Automatic Spray, which releases regular bursts of mist to continuously keep your home protected from fleas and other insects. The automatic system also allows you to adjust the setting to match the insect activity in your home and provides the appropriate level of treatment for continuous protection against insects. Whether you just want to take extra precautions, or you have previously had an infestation and want to stop them from appearing again, the automatic spray allows you to “set and forget” for all day peace of mind.

How to keep fleas out of the house when moving into a new property

Before you move into your new home, you want to be sure that there is no existing flea infestation that could turn your dream home into a nightmare. First, thoroughly clean your carpets and floors, then Place Mortein PowerGard Flea & Crawling Insect Control Bombs in your rooms a day or two before you are due to move in. The two active ingredients will work together to eliminate the adult fleas, and then protect your home from re-infestation for up to nine months by disrupting the flea life cycle.

Interesting fact: Vibrations, movement and breathing will prompt adult fleas to emerge from their hiding place, ready to pounce onto their host. Read our article to learn more about fleas, including what they look like.