Flea Control and Pets: Preparing Your Home

Ask any pest controller what makes a flea treatment work, and pets come up straight away. Animals carry fleas in, drop eggs around the house, and put themselves back in the firing line the moment the treatment is finished.

A bit of preparation makes the visit smoother and the result more likely to hold. Think of the job as three parts: the animals, the rooms and the days afterwards.

Sort out the animals first

Speak to your vet about a flea product suited to each animal. Do not use dog products on cats, and do not guess the dose for a small or elderly pet. Treat all cats and dogs in the household together, and have it done before or at the same time as the home treatment.

Small animals need thought too. Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and reptiles can be sensitive, and fish tanks should be covered with the air supply turned off, if the technician advises it. Ask when you book what needs moving and where.

Where the pets should be on the day

Plan to have pets out of the property or in an untreated, closed-off area during the work, and keep them away until the technician says the rooms are ready. A friend, family member or a boarding place can all help for a few hours.

Cats can be difficult to catch on the day, so arrange their carrier and a quiet space beforehand. Dogs may need a walk plan that takes them out for the whole visit.

If you cannot move an animal, say so when you book. The technician can often work around a room, but it is much better to agree this beforehand than to find a nervous cat under the bed on the day.

• Arrange a safe place for pets for the duration
• Secure small animals and cover tanks as advised
• Take food and water bowls out of treated rooms
• Keep pets out until you are told it is safe

Preparing the rooms

Clear floors so the technician can reach edges, under furniture and beneath beds. Pick up toys, shoes and clutter, and empty low cupboards and wardrobe floors if asked.

Wash pet bedding, throws and bed linen hot and bag it up clean until after the treatment. Vacuum thoroughly beforehand and empty the cleaner into an outside bin, though you will be told whether to hold off cleaning afterwards.

Remove or cover food, utensils and anything children put in their mouths. Dishes, baby items and similar belongings should be out of the way.

Think about the places your pet loves most, such as the armchair by the window, the landing carpet or the cupboard under the stairs. Those are often the busiest flea spots, so make sure the technician knows about them.

The days after treatment

Follow the technician's instructions on when to re-enter rooms and when to vacuum. In general, you should keep going with the pets' vet-recommended treatment and keep washing bedding on a hot cycle.

You may still see a few fleas for a while as pupae emerge, which is expected and not a sign of failure. If there are plenty still active well afterwards, tell the technician.

Keep up the routine of hot washes for pet bedding and regular, careful vacuuming, and carry on treating your animals on the schedule your vet recommends. That ongoing protection is what stops the next arrival from restarting the problem.

Essex Pest Solutions can walk you through the preparation when you book. Results always depend on the property and on the pets being treated as well.

Frequently asked questions