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Original poster

I found a flea...help me!

20 replies

Burnmyflatdown · 15/09/2018 14:06

I have recently moved into my flat and yesterday I was sitting on the rug eating my dinner and I felt a sharp pain on my face. Then the same on my arm and I looked and there was a tiny little black thing on me and it jumped! I'm pretty certain it was a flea, but what the hell do I do?

I have two other little red things which could be bites but nothing else, I haven't noticed any bites but maybe they have just hatched? I don't want to fumigate for one flea but at the same time I can't think where else it would have come from other than my rug? And now I'm not going near it in case it has fleas.

We don't have any pets, to make it worse my scalp has been a bit itchy lately and I assumed it was all in my head, now I'm thinking it was fleas! Argh!

I'm thinking what else is there, bed bugs? I found a silverfish in the bathroom, but I don't mind them too much. The house was quite dirty when we moved in and smelt of smoke and now it has fleas?

Our tumble drier is broken and it's a small flat so it's not even easy for me to wash everything because I will struggle to get it dry away from the flea-rug. I had my duvet on the sofa and I also have a teddy bear who sits on the sofa (I know it's a bit weird) but I don't want to have to wash him or the duvet cover etc, the washing machine smells of smoke and I can't tumble dry! This is my worst nightmare, I'm so upset.

Please help me wise mumsnetters, what do I do? Please say they aren't in my hair? Sad

OP posts:
Oldraver · 15/09/2018 14:08

If its fleas as in pet fleas, then you wont have to be washing everything.

You need to get some Indorex and spray. You can also use a steam cleaner but would have to do it every couple of days as they will kill the fleas but also likely 'hatch' any eggs.

Wotrewelookinat · 15/09/2018 14:15

Flea eggs can lay dormant for years so they would have been there from the previous occupant I suspect. Use a decent house spray like Indorex or RIP. Pest control people can also use what the6 call a ‘flea bomb’. Washing things will NOT kill the fleas and eggs.

Original poster
Burnmyflatdown · 15/09/2018 14:17

With the indorex do I just spray it everywhere? I'm heading out so I don't have to be with the fleas so I will get some.

You don't think they will have laid eggs on my teddy or my duvet? I've moved teddy to my chest of drawers so he's out the way. I'm trying to at least keep it to the rug/sofa if they are on the sofa.

OP posts:
Original poster
Burnmyflatdown · 15/09/2018 14:20

I think it'll be from the last people too, they obviously smoked in here and there's a lot of unpaid bills and things so they obviously weren't the best at following rules. It's annoying because I don't know what I'm dealing with, don't know if they had pets etc.

Okay, so no washing. That's at least something. I don't want to call past control until I see slightly more evidence because I only have 2 bites and 1 flea so far, will that be my responsibility or the landlords if we do have to get them in?

OP posts:
Wotrewelookinat · 15/09/2018 14:23

Well, the fleas can jump anywhere, they just bite to feed, then j7mp off to lay the eggs, so the eggs could be anywhere the fleas can get to (sorry, they’re grim). You have to follow the instructions on the spray, but iirc you hoover first, then spray, then hoover again. Including hard floors, skirting board etc. You’re not supposed to spray beds but I do!

Wotrewelookinat · 15/09/2018 14:24

I would tell the landlord. The fleas will be from dogs or cats deviously kept there.

Wotrewelookinat · 15/09/2018 14:24

I meant previously, but deviously works too!

Original poster
Burnmyflatdown · 15/09/2018 14:28

Okay, so we don't actually have a Hoover yet. It's mostly wood floors so we've just been sweeping. But I will get a hoover. And some Indorex.
A bug infestation is my worst nightmare! Rats/mice I'm fine but it's the egg laying and the smallness that really gets to me, the fact I can't see them but they could be everywhere. I just want to cry Sad

If they were from my own cat it would be alright but I don't even get a cute pet to go with this!

OP posts:
carrie74 · 15/09/2018 14:45

We inherited fleas and it was much simpler to have peat control from the council come out and sort it - wasn't too expensive and it was guaranteed work. If you DIY, you can end up spending weeks treating it and a fortune on various potions.

Original poster
Burnmyflatdown · 15/09/2018 15:01

Thanks everyone. I feel a bit better

What I'm thinking is get vacuum cleaner, get indorex, we need a vacuum cleaner anyway. Do that today/tomorrow.

Then once I've done that I'll get in touch with the landlord and sort out pest control. Do you have to be in for pest control? I don't know when we would be able to get them to come apart from a weekend

carrie did you just need one lot from the council? It's £60 here which isn't too bad but I can't afford that multiple times Sad hopefully it should be landlords duty surely? We've only been in a week so very unlikely it'll be us

OP posts:
Upsy1981 · 15/09/2018 17:28

Indorex should sort you out. You might need a couple of cans. You can get it on Amazon.

carrie74 · 15/09/2018 17:44

Yes one lot from the council. Like you say though, I think this is landlord's duty.

Aprilshowersnowastorm · 15/09/2018 17:48

Op fill some shallow dishes with hot Fairy water. Place all over your home. Fleas love a hot bubble bath!!
Will confirm if you have guests and please take pics and tell your ll. Getting rid is a costly business and he should be paying!!

AnythingButMagnolia · 15/09/2018 20:58

Get a room / floor spray from a vet. Spray carpets & upholstery. Then vacuum - thus will get the eggs. Then spray again. My gran had a flea infestation years ago from rescue cats. It is grim but the super strength vet stuff will do the trick.

Nannyplumshairstyle · 15/09/2018 21:37

We had to get the flea exterminator guy to come round (£150 for the whole house) they were all gone within three weeks but it was hell.

Rebecca36 · 15/09/2018 23:29

Fleas are great at biting around feet and ankles. Don't scratch!..Vacuum thoroughly and buy a flea killing spray. They'll soon disappear.

(If they don't you could create a flea circus. I understand they were very popular at one time.)

Original poster
Burnmyflatdown · 16/09/2018 11:56

Thanks everyone! I got in touch with the landlord and they're sending pest control in tomorrow to assess the situation. I'm not doing anything till then so that they can see the extent of what's going on. I did buy a vacuum cleaner though Grin I'm going to do the flea bath thing in case pest control say there aren't any (there definitely are)

OP posts:
peonysandhotcrossbuns · 16/09/2018 13:50

Don't use the vacuum cleaner because the eggs will be in there for ever and ever! Let pest control deal with it or you'll keep re-infesting your house!

Oldraver · 16/09/2018 14:45

A flea collar in the vacuum dustbag is supposed to work not done it myself

Rebecca36 · 16/09/2018 19:00

DO use the vacuum cleaner, that is advised. Just take the bag out and throw it away immediately. The recommendations are that you put the insecticide down first and then vacuum daily. They'll soon be gone.

I'm not sure the local council pest control unit come out for fleas. Private companies do of course but, honestly, they are not difficult to get rid of and it won't take long.

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