Most people assume fleas are strictly a pet problem, but that is only half the story. Fleas live in carpets too, and their eggs can lie dormant in a home for months with no animal anywhere in sight. A single flea can lay around 2,000 eggs in its lifetime, so a small problem turns into a serious infestation faster than you might think. The sooner you act, the easier it is to deal with.
How fleas end up in your home
You do not need a pet to pick up fleas. A friend who owns a dog or cat can carry fleas or eggs in on their clothing, even if the animal never sets foot through your door. A plumber or electrician who has just been to a flea-ridden house can do the same without ever knowing. In other words, you might already have fleas at home without realising it, which means you could carry them to your new place without realising it either.
The new home can be the source just as easily. If the previous occupants had pets, or picked up fleas the same way anyone else might, there may already be a population living in the carpets. People often take some fleas with them when they move out and leave others behind.
Spotting fleas before the move
The clearest sign of fleas indoors is flea bites on your body. If you have been bitten but have not been out of the house, the fleas are almost certainly inside with you. It is worth knowing what a flea bite looks like so you can recognise one early, and our other blog posts cover this in more detail.
Cleaning the new place and your belongings
Before you move in, give the carpets in your new home a thorough vacuum. Clean any furniture you are bringing with you properly, and deep clean any rugs making the journey from your old home. Vacuuming and washing lift away fleas and eggs that would otherwise settle in alongside you.
If you have pets, bathe them before the move so you are not carrying their fleas across with you, and keep up with regular flea treatments afterwards. Anything the bath misses can then be dealt with by the treatment.
Moving into a home where there were pets, or struggling with fleas where you live now? Call our team to book a professional flea treatment. We will make sure the problem is fully cleared so you can settle into your new home flea-free. We are open every day except Christmas Day, from early until late.