Found a flea

[tmh88]

Just found a flea on my arm! I have no pets and a really clean and tidy house?! Where the hell could it of come from and could there be more?! I feel so itchy now anyone had fleas/a flea before?! Should I get a flea spray to be on the safe side?

Fleas can come in on clothes etc. They need an animal host to complete their breeding cycle so this little guy won't get far without any pets.

If you'd feel better - Indorex spray is very good and can be bought online. Spray your carpets and soft furnishings and it will give you protection from flease for several months.

@missbattenburg bought some! It’s coming tomorrow! Didn’t realise they could come in without pets!

I wouldn't burn your house down for just 1 but if you see anymore then you have an infestation. Once you actually see them it's pretty bad. We had this when we rescued our cat and got a special spray from the vets to spray around the house, we also boil washed all blankets, cushion covers, bedding etc.

Second indorex - it’s bloody brilliant

@blackcat86 I haven’t seen anymore today! Was just the one on my arm so hoping that’s it! But I will spray all carpets and couches etc and boil wash all bedding I haven’t ever seen one before! It was my first time seeing one!

@Fruityb I have ordered some to come tomorrow! I’m working from home so should be able to do a good spray round! Is it a strong chemical smell?

I wouldn't worry if you don't have pets. You may have brought in one or two on your clothes but they can't survive on humans/without a host so won't be successfully breeding and will just die out.

It's good you've only seen 1. Be vigilant for the next 3 months as they can survive in the corners of rooms, in the hoover etc and then hatch later.

@blackcat86 well it’s come at a good time really as I’m getting all carpets cleaned Friday! So hopefully if there is more that should get them!!

Before you spray it's recommended you hoover everywhere first, turn your heating on and put damp towels on the radiator. This will encourage any eggs to hatch.

It smells peppery is the only thing I remember last time I used it! I spray the middle of rooms every six months and treat my cat after we had an infestation about ten years ago. It was awful!! But they are beatable.

@bettyboo40 will definitely do that! Can’t believe I have never seen one before at my age I have everything crossed it’s just the 1 that’s come in on someone’s clothes as I have no pets! @Fruityb hopefully we have just the one that I saw this morning I’m dreading finding more!!

By the way the one I found is still in a tissue in the house to show DP tonight! I’m too scared to open it again because they can bloody jump can’t they!

eggs can live in carpets for up to 2 years without hatching so if you haven't been there long and the previous occupiers had pets then that's where they are coming from.

make sure you vacuum often, especially around edges & under radiators, vibration from vacuuming & heat encourages them to hatch.

Oh my goodness! 2 years!!! Yes the people who owned the house before us had a dog! We have new carpets everywhere but the hallway though! @vesperia