Oldhamers warned about flea invasion

Date published: 19 November 2019


Population boom of fleas expected to invade homes and workplaces as Brits turn up the heating following snow and cold weather warnings.
 
As Britain braces itself for snow and temperatures as low as -9°C this week, millions of households are set to turn up the heating, inadvertently providing fleas with the ideal conditions needed to multiply.
 
Pets at Home is urging pet owners to regularly check their pets and homes for fleas, as cosy households create the perfect breeding ground for the parasites to thrive.
 
Dr. Karlien Heyrman, Head of Pets for Pets at Home, explained, “If left untreated, long term flea infestations can cause real suffering for pets - including dogs, cats and small furries.

"Repeated bites can be uncomfortable and itchy for an animal, sometimes resulting in hair loss or a secondary skin infection.

"Fleas may also bite humans in the most serious of cases - seeking regular preventative treatment is a sensible precaution for all pet owners.”
 
Where a flea infestation occurs, warm conditions can lead to flea pupae – the cocoons in which fleas encase themselves in – to hatch in the home.

The warmer the home, the faster flea eggs develop into adults.
 
The population of fleas has grown rapidly in recent years due to warm but damp UK summers creating the perfect breeding ground for fleas.

This weather, combined with better quality central heating and insulation around the home, means the risk of an infestation is bigger than ever.
 
Fleas don’t just live on the pets themselves but also on bedding and other soft furnishings around the house.

It is important for pet owners to ensure pet bedding is washed regularly and pets are checked for fleas and mites.
 
Pets at Home has issued this advice to pet owners, Regularly treat all pets in the household with a preventative flea treatment throughout the year, Check pet’s coat for fleas or flea droppings – brown or black spots, Treat homes, workplaces and cars with a household flea spray, Wash pet bedding regularly at 60 degrees, Clean furniture to help destroy fleas at each stage of their life cycle, Vigorously vacuum carpets, floorboards and skirting boards and Throw away the vacuum cleaner dust bag or empty the canister after each clean.


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