Fleas, please?

[Jaques]

Hey guys,

There is something in my house. I think it's fleas, but cannot be sure really. Have had a few bites at first (which were in a row so I suspected bedbugs after reading up on this stuff), but now just smaller occasional stings but no bites which leaves marks, just that itchy, dirty feeling.

I did try the cheap stuff, and then Staykill, which I sprayed once a week for 2 months (vacuuming, throwing the bag, spraying etc). This seemed to cool them off for a while, but now they're back with a vengence.

As I have only sort of spotted 'things' jumping/flying in the corner of my eye, but never really seen a flea, I am now getting a bit paranoid, thinking that it might be my imagination. Although, there is definetely(?) something crawling/jumping on me when I lay in bed and also under my clothes sometimes.

I have no pets (ex girlfriend had a cat though), but did have a padded second hand armchair for a while (stoopid me!) so there are reasons to suspect fleas, but it's just that I can't see any of them on me or around me. Capturing these ghosts seem impossible.

If it's fleas what should I do? Does anyone know about temperatures, do minus degrees kill both fleas and their eggs and larvae? Does dry clean kill anything at all? Does anyone know what it could be it it's not fleas?

Would appreciate any help and opinions as this is driving me mad.

Thanks

[lady_p_gold]

If it is fleas, and you cannot seem to sort it out, then most local Councils operate a service whereby they come and treat your home for a fairly modest fee.

[liquoricemad]

Don't know whether it's the same thing, but my son had a pigeon's nest above his window, and when the babies left the nest, the pigeon mites all came in through the window, to bite him on his ankles as soon as he walked through the door. He lives in a basement flat. He had the mites identified, but they are very difficult to get rid of. He tried all the insecticide stuff. Apparently the mites can't live off humans but they still bite.

[woofgang]

I really don't think that it's fleas. Sounds like its time to either take your bitemarks to the doc or get public health involved

[silly moo]

If it were fleas a 'flea bomb' would work.
I have cats and dogs and I used a coupkle once.

[Tabby]

One suggestion,

I use a Ultrasonic Pest Repeller. It seems to works well with fleas (I have a cat).

Many places sell them, but her is one I found for you: http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LH00492&N=411

[Jaques]

Hi,

Thanks to you all for your responses.

Liquoricemad, how did your brother got rid of them in the end? WHat insecticide did he use? And where did he got them identified?

Thanks again,

J

[liquoricemad]

I'll email my son now and ask him - watch this space...

[liquoricemad]

Sorry for the delay, Jaques.  My son says he could see the insects crawling around, so it looks like they're not the same as the ones you're having problems with. They weren't "formally" identified, he found out what they were from a search on the internet.

Hope you've managed to eradicate your little beasts by now.

[Jaques]

Liqouricemaid, thanks for that. Do you know what Insecticide he used by any chance? Honestly, I'm at a loss trying to figure out what this is. The mites seemed like a strong contender, but I cannot find anything about them jumping. I think it's fleas. They do weaken by the Staykill, but never dissapear. I think I have not coordinated my efforts enough. All at once, seemes to be the answer from what I read.

Thanks and be well,

J

[nicolawhite]

Hi Jaques

It sounds like you have fleas.  I am having trouble getting rid of mine, it is completely awful and can't see light at the end of the tunnel. I am getting bit on the bottom of my legs all the time.  I have bought something called "Staykill" from the Vets and it seems to have reduced the problem but I know that it is going to need to be done again because I have spotted a couple since (which is better than the 30 odd I was seeing before in one go). I would suggest giving that a go

[Jaques]

Dear Nicolawhite,


I have also tried Staykill, and it did work to some extent, but not fully. If you have fleas, I believe the key is to wage a war on all fronts at the same time. Coordination of efforts is the only thing that works, people seem to say. Every room at once.

How do they actually look? I haven't really been able to spot any, but when i feel them in bed, it's like they sort of jump really quickly over me. Bites only occur very rarely, but the feeling of that they are there is almost constant.

Good luck!

J

[liquoricemad]

Hi Jaques,

Not certain what insecticide it was. If it's fleas you'd have to spray everywhere, then spray again in a few days, because the spray doesn't kill the eggs, which hatch out days later and start the whole cycle off again. I remember earlier in the year our dogs got fleas off a hedgehog in the garden and for weeks on end we kept finding fleas in their hair. We used the stuff that you apply to the back of their necks, we bought enough for 3 applications each, about a month apart (this is long-lasting stuff!) and still saw the occasional flea. We sprayed the whole house a few times but they were really really difficult to completely eradicate.  Now we're careful when the dogs go into the garden at night, if they're longer than a minute or two we're calling them in, worried that they might be trying to get a hedgehog!

Just keep at it, Jaques, you've got to win in the end! 

[bed-bugs man]

Hi,

If the bites have a red dot int he centre they are most likely fleas. In which case threat any animals int he house (include adjoining properties if possible) and then either try a home treatment or call a pest controller in.

The best sources of pest control are either the local council or the British Pest Control Association (www.bpca.org.uk) . Fleas have a nasty habit of remaining dormant in properties for very long periods.

If you dont think its fleas and want to rule out bed bugs please check the following information site:

www.bed-bugs.co.uk

There is a check list and gallery that you can work through to identify them.

If its not fleas or bed bugs I suggest you call a pest controller in to do an investigation. It is always best to try and catch a sample to show them. The best way to do this is with celeotape rather than asking someone to identify a splat mark.

A residual insecticide treatment will kill most crawling / hoping creatures but needs to be applied by a licensed professional for it to be rapid and fully effective.

Hope that helps,

David