Flea treatment in Utrecht: what you need to know
The flea we come across most often in homes is the cat flea, which is just as happy on dogs. Adult fleas live on the animal, but their eggs drop off into the rug, the pet bed, the sofa and the gaps between floorboards. There they develop into larvae and then into pupae inside a protective cocoon.
Those pupae can wait a long time for vibration or warmth nearby. That is why you may suddenly get lots of bites after a holiday or when moving into a home that has stood empty for a while. Treat only the pet, and the fleas will often come back.
How to recognise a flea problem
- small itchy bites, often in clusters around the ankles and lower legs
- a pet that scratches, licks or develops bald patches
- black specks in the fur or bedding that turn reddish-brown on damp kitchen paper: flea dirt
- tiny jumping dots on a light floor or on white socks
You can get fleas without a pet too, for example from birds nesting under the roof tiles or in a nest box on the wall. If something bites at night in bed, in a line, it may be bed bugs instead; our page on bed bug treatment explains how to tell them apart.
How our flea treatment works
During the inspection we look at where your pet sleeps and lies, what flooring you have and whether there are other sources, such as an old bird's nest. We then treat the home with a professional product, paying extra attention to pet beds, rugs, the sofa and gaps along the skirting. Products like this are intended for certified pest controllers and also reach the larvae deep in the floor.
It is important that your pet gets a flea treatment from the vet at around the same time. Otherwise the animal keeps bringing new fleas in. You can read how we handle other pests on our page on pest control in Utrecht.
Your part before and after treatment
Your own efforts make all the difference. Before the treatment, clear the floors so we can reach everywhere, and vacuum thoroughly, including under furniture and in the seams of the sofa. Then put the vacuum bag straight into an outside bin, or empty the canister into a sealed rubbish bag.
Afterwards, keep vacuuming daily for a while. It sounds odd, but the vibration makes the remaining pupae hatch, after which the new fleas come into contact with the product. Wash the dog bed and loose rugs at a high temperature, and do not mop treated floors straight away, as that removes the product.
Preventing new fleas
The best prevention is a pet that is protected all year round with a product from the vet. Fleas are not just a summer problem: in a heated home their life cycle carries on through the winter. Run a flea comb through your cat's or dog's coat now and then, especially after a stay elsewhere or contact with other animals.
Clean out nest boxes after the breeding season. If there is a nest under the eaves, first have the species identified: nests of house sparrows and swifts, for example, are protected all year round and may not be removed or blocked. If you are moving into a home where animals lived before, ask whether there have been fleas recently and vacuum all the floors well before you move your furniture in.
