Fleas

• Vacuum regularly.
  
• Wash pet bedding weekly, ideally at above 50°C.
  
• Other wildlife such as possums, wild cats, foxes, rabbits and rodents also carry fleas - when your pets are outside they can easily pick up these fleas and bring them back, so check them regularly using flea combs.
  
• Larvae feed on organic matter in carpets, bedding & furnishings. You need to try and remove any potential food supply to prevent fleas.
  
• When moving into a new home inspect carpets and flooring carefully for signs of eggs or ‘flea dirt’. If the previous owners had pets the flea larvae might be waiting for you.

There are several things you can do to get rid of fleas if you catch the problem early enough. Here’s our to-do list for a flea-free home:

• Before you do anything else vacuum carpets, furnishings, cracks in the floorboards and upholstered furniture. This will not only get rid of adult fleas, but also their eggs and larvae. The larvae feed on adult flea faeces and other organic matter, which collects in things like carpets and rugs. Removing this source of food is an important step.
  
• Empty your vacuum cleaner very carefully away from the house because the fleas will still be alive.
  
• Groom your pets regularly with a flea comb and wash their beds every week (ideally at 50°c or above).
  
• If your pet is scratching or biting its fur you should talk to your vet. They can recommend the best flea sprays or powders to use to treat your pet.