Fleas - pre-treatment preparation for householders

  1. Have all household animals de-loused before treatment, taking advice from your vet about the best products to use for your pets.
  1. Vacuum the premises, paying attention to floors and upholstered furniture.
    • The purpose of this is to remove animal hair, organic debris and eggs, larvae, pupae and adult fleas.
    • An added benefit of vacuuming is that the vibrations can trigger adults to emerge from their dormant pupal stage.
  1. You should also vacuum:
    • under furniture
    • chairs
    • sofa cushions
    • cracks and crevices in floors and along walls (wall-floor junctions)
  1. Take care to dispose of the contents of the vacuum cleaner securely and into an outside waste bin to minimise the risk of transferring fleas throughout the property.
  1. Ensure access to the floor
    • The whole floor area needs to be treated, so make sure to remove any items that would cause an obstruction.
  1. Move furniture away from walls to allow access to skirting boards.
  1. Uncarpeted floors should be swept and washed/vacuumed.
  1. Dispose of or wash pet bedding
    • Washing should be in hot, soapy water. Drying should be done in a tumble dryer on hot until completely dry.
  1. Fleas on clothes and bedding can be killed by putting the items in the tumble dryer for at least 20 minutes on a high setting.