Eh?
Homeowners in Ireland have been advised to be on the lookout for possible flea infestations following a dramatic hike in residential flea inquiries in the last three months.
The warning was issued by Rentokil, who say that there’s been a 77% increase in calls about flea infestations in May, June and July 2018, compared to the same period last year.
Homeowners in Dublin were most affected, creating 39% of the requests for assistance in dealing with flea infestations, which makes sense when you consider the population of the capital.
The top five counties experiencing flea infestations:
- Dublin: 39%
- Cork: 18%
- Wexford: 13%
- Wicklow: 10%
- Kildare: 8%
- *Other Counties: 12%
Fleas thrive in humid conditions and Ireland’s summer has provided perfect breeding conditions for the insects.
They usually live outdoors but attach themselves to animals and humans, and as external parasites of mammals and birds, they live by consuming the blood of their hosts.
Fleas will bite and can cause irritation or even an allergic reaction. They’ve also been known to transmit tapeworm and, in very rare cases, even transmit serious diseases.
Rentokil’s tips for preventing a flea infestation in the home:
- Regularly wash and check pets for fleas with a flea comb to catch a potential problem early and prevent fleas from becoming established in carpets and bedding
- Wash pet bedding weekly, ideally at temperatures above 50 degrees to kill any dormant fleas and eggs
- Vacuum floors and furniture regularly – ensuring to cover hard to reach places as fleas like to hide in cracks in floorboards and crevices
- Shake out or beat rugs and pet bedding outdoors so fleas and eggs fall off
- Consider placing pet beds in areas without carpets such as on wooden floors (but ONLY if these are well sealed – if there are gaps between the boards this may actually make the pest much harder to treat)
- If 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.
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