Understanding Flea Infestations: Causes, Signs and Treatment

Flea infestations affect a significant number of London homes with pets each year. What makes fleas particularly difficult to control is their complex life cycle — only around 5% of a flea infestation is in the form of adult fleas on the host. The remaining 95% consists of eggs, larvae and pupae in carpets, furniture and floorboards.

The Flea Life Cycle Understanding the flea life cycle is key to understanding why DIY treatments so often fail.

- Eggs — laid on the host and drop into the environment. They hatch in 2–14 days depending on temperature. - Larvae — feed on organic matter in carpet fibres. Avoid light, burrowing deep into carpet pile. - Pupae — highly resistant to insecticides and can remain dormant for up to a year, waiting for vibration, warmth and carbon dioxide as a signal that a host is nearby. - Adults — jump onto a passing host, feed, mate and lay eggs within 24 hours.

Common Sources of Infestation The most common cause is an untreated or undertreated family pet. Even if your pet has been treated with a flea preventative, these do not kill environmental eggs, larvae and pupae. Moving into a property previously occupied by a pet owner is another common cause — dormant pupae can activate months later.

Signs of a Flea Infestation - Your pet scratching, grooming excessively or showing signs of irritation - Small red bites on ankles and lower legs, particularly after sitting on the floor - Tiny dark specks on pet bedding or carpets (flea dirt — digested blood) - Visible fleas jumping on light-coloured surfaces - The "white sock test" — wearing white socks and walking across the carpet; fleas will be visible jumping onto the sock

Why DIY Products Fall Short Consumer flea sprays do not contain insect growth regulators at adequate concentrations to break the life cycle. They kill adult fleas on contact but do not address the majority of the infestation in the environment. Vacuuming alone stimulates pupae to hatch but does not remove them.

Professional Treatment Professional flea treatment should address multiple life stages and be tailored to the property after inspection. Contact us on the contact page.