Flea treatment in Zaandam: recognising the problem
Fleas are tiny, dark-brown insects that can jump remarkably far. You often only notice them once there are lots, for instance on white socks or in a pet's light-coloured coat. Other signs:
- a pet that scratches, licks or nibbles its fur a lot, especially near the tail and on the neck;
- small, itchy bites on people, usually around the ankles and lower legs;
- black grains in the coat or bedding: flea dirt, which turns reddish-brown on a damp white tissue;
- a sudden burst of bites after returning from holiday or shortly after moving house.
That last one is typical. Flea pupae can lie dormant for a long time and hatch as soon as they sense vibration and warmth in the house again.
Why treating the pet alone is not enough
The adult fleas on your cat or dog are only a small part of the problem. Their eggs drop out of the coat into rugs, gaps between floorboards, the sofa and the pet bed. These hatch into larvae, which hide in dark places before spinning a protective cocoon. Each batch of pupae produces a new wave of fleas, ready to feed straight away.
That is why fleas so often return when only a spot-on treatment goes on the animal's neck. And pets are not the only source: a bird's nest under the roof tiles, hedgehogs in the garden or mice in the crawl space can bring fleas in too.
How we tackle fleas
Our flea treatment runs on two tracks: your vet treats the pet with a suitable product, and we treat the home. As with any other pest control in Zaandam, it starts with an inspection. We look at where the animal sleeps and lies, which floors and rugs you have, and whether another source is involved, such as a bird's nest or rodents.
We then treat floors, rugs, gaps, furniture and the pet's favourite spots with a professional product that also targets the larvae. You get clear instructions on which rooms to keep out of for a while and for how long. If problems persist, we schedule a second visit.
After the treatment: keeping your home flea-free
Do not be alarmed if you still see the odd flea for a while. Pupae are protected from the product and will continue to hatch; the young fleas then come into contact with the treated surfaces. Vacuuming helps enormously, because the vibration encourages pupae to hatch sooner and you remove eggs and larvae at the same time.
- Vacuum daily for the first few weeks, including under the sofa, along skirting boards and in the car.
- Empty the vacuum cleaner outside into a sealed bag after each session.
- Do not mop treated floors for the time being, so the product keeps working.
- Keep your pet's treatment going in consultation with the vet.
Preventing fleas
A flea-free home starts with your pet. Ask your vet about year-round protection for your cat or dog rather than just in summer: in a centrally heated home, fleas carry on breeding through the winter. Run a flea comb through the coat now and then, especially after your pet has stayed with friends or at a boarding kennel or cattery.
If you bring in a second-hand rug or sofa, vacuum it thoroughly. Moving into a home where pets lived before? Have the floors treated before the furniture goes in. Spotted tiny blood or black marks on the mattress? Then something else may be going on; read more about bed bug treatment.
