Fleas are small wingless, bloodsucking insects belonging to the order; Siphonaptera. Adult fleas measure around 1-4 mm long and are brownish in colour with powerful hind legs for jumping from host to host.

Fleas have a thin, laterally flattened body and large hind legs which allow them to jump from host to host. There are some 2000 species of fleas, however, the three main categories commonly found in UK homes and businesses are; cat fleas, dog fleas and human fleas.

Most fleas are brought into a premises by pets or the person these pets fleas have jumped onto. Flea treatment to pets must be carried out by the pet owner as pest control operators do not treat pets.

Flea eggs are laid in the fur, feathers or bedding of the host. Four to eight eggs are laid after each blood meal and a female may produce 800-1000 eggs during her lifetime. Cat bedding can support around 8000 young and 2000 adult fleas.

Fleas are more of a nuisance rather than a destructive pest. Nevertheless, they do bite, leaving red spots or lumps that can become itchy and inflamed if scratched. Some people experience severe irritation after being bitten which may require medical treatment.

The standard treatment for flea infestations is the application of a residual insecticide in powder or liquid spray form. Initially you should contact a professional pest control company to inspect your premises.

Electric flea traps can be placed in suspected locations, insect growth regulators may be used in suspected breeding areas and insecticide powders and sprays used to eradicate the infestation.

Once pets and the infested areas have been treated, floors from skirting board to skirting board are treated with a residual insecticide to ensure the problem cannot start again.