Fleas are blood-sucking insects of warm-blooded mammals. The most common pest fleas in the UK are cat and dog fleas. There are fleas that infest humans, but these are becoming increasingly rare in an age of better sanitation.
 
Identification
They are wingless, flattened laterally and vary in colour from greyish through to a dark mahogany.
 
Cat fleas are the most common, with the female cat flea having to feed on cat blood to be able to lay eggs. They may, however, also feed on human blood and typically will attack the lower portion of the leg, particularly at ankle level.
 
Frequent flea bites around the waist and abdomen are an indication of a human flea infestation.
 
The bites can give rise to the characteristic dark red spots around the area which remain irritated for one or two days.

Treatment.

1. The majority of flea infestations are of cat fleas and control involves the disinfestation of the family cats using proprietary powders, shampoos or collars. The Householder, combined with the disinfestation of the cats bedding and areas of the house likely to be affected, must carry this out.
2. The Pest Control Officer in most cases can achieve control by use of insecticide liquid. This is sprayed mainly on the floor area and instructions are given to the householder to refrain from vacuuming, cleaning, etc. for a period of time so that the insecticide has a residual effect. In this way eggs, larvae and adult fleas are soon eradicated.
3. There is currently a charge for flea treatments

Before the treatment

1. All floors and upholstered furniture should be thoroughly vacuumed to remove animal hair, debris, eggs and pupae. Particular attention should be given to known harbourage areas such as pets sleeping areas. (The vacuum bag must then be disposed of in a plastic bag in an outside waste bin).
2. All bed linen and clothing should be removed from infested areas and washed on the hottest wash possible.
   Toys, loose articles etc should be removed from the floor so that as much of the area can be treated as possible.
   Tiled, concrete, wooden floors etc should be swept and washed or vacuumed.
3. Remove all children, pets and unprotected people during the treatment and ensure that aquariums are removed or covered. (Fish are particularly susceptible to insecticides). Any open food should also be covered or removed.

Following the treatment

1. Adults, children and pets should not be allowed back into the house until the treatment has completely dried. (Normally within a few hours in a well ventilated property).
   Do not vacuum for at least 10-14 days after the treatment. This will give the insecticide time to eliminate all stages of the infestation.
2. Thoroughly clean all food preparation surfaces before use.

Please Note
Flea activity may be observed for several days after the treatment. This is not unusual and may be due to newly hatched fleas that have not yet come into contact with the insecticide.

These insects will eventually die but can be treated with a normal insecticidal spray, (aerosol), which can be purchased from any supermarket, hardware shop or chemist.

There is currently a charge for flea treatments