Pest controllers should prepare for multiple call outs to fleas in the coming months, following a delayed flea season and increased number of pets in homes following the lockdown surge.
Richard Moseley, product manager at Bayer explains that due to milder temperatures this autumn, the flea season will be extended, meaning both fleas and their eggs which have been brought into the home by pets will survive much longer than usual.
“When central heating is turned on this autumn, it will trigger the eggs that are lying dormant around the house to hatch,” he explains.
“This year, fleas may also be a bigger problem following the boom in puppy sales during the first nationwide lockdown,” he adds.
It’s estimated that 3.2 million UK households acquired a pet during the course of the pandemic.
“This means some pet owners will be inexperienced in tackling fleas, meaning there’s a chance infestations could get out of hand,” he explains.
“Often flea infestations are just bad luck, but they’re a nuisance to tackle and can cause significant irritation for both humans and pets.”
“Due to these factors, pest controllers need to be well prepared to deal with call outs to fleas this autumn,” he says.
Mr Moseley explains that applying spot treatments to pets is always the first step to preventing fleas, but if an environment infestation does occur, it should be tackled swiftly through pest control.
“My advice would first be to get homeowners struggling with fleas to vacuum their whole house, this will assist the treatment that the pest controller applies and help remove fleas or eggs from any cracks, crevices and furniture.
“Pest controllers can then come in and lay down a long lasting residual insecticide, such as K-Othrine® Partix™, in areas that are infested or at a higher risk of infestation,” he explains.
As an advanced insecticide, K-Othrine® Partix™ can be applied to a vast range of surfaces including wood and concrete floors and effectively targets insects due to the advanced Partix™ formulation.
“Fleas are always a burden to deal with and can creep up on homeowners when they least expect it, causing a significant amount of distress.
“Being prepared to tackle these sorts of issues and offer advice to homeowners who are struggling is crucial and will also give pest controllers the upper hand when combating an infestation,” he concludes.
