Fleas and Mites

Flease & Mites

Order : Blattodea

Introduction

Fleas are obnoxious, blood sucking parasites that feed on the blood of warm bodied animals that include dogs, cats and humans. When fleas bite they pierce the skin then inject an anti-coagulant chemical into the bloodstream of the host to prevent the blood from clotting which increases flow.
Flea bites cause irritation, infection and transfer bacteria and other parasites, including Murine Typhus and Tapeworms from victim to victim. Control of these vile creatures is essential as they have the ability to spread these diseases every time they bite. History tells us that back in the Middle Ages Bubonic plague carried by infected Rats was passed on to humans by fleas that had fed on their blood killing millions of people throughout Europe.
Fleas are often carried into a building by dogs and cats, and are commonly deposited in carpeted areas. This is why Infants are at a higher risk from being bitten by fleas, particularly when playing on the floor. Flea bites also cause considerable discomfort and frustration from itching and it is Children and pets that are more susceptible to the diseases that fleas carry.
There are three main species of flea that are a pest to humans:

  • Human flea
  • Cat flea
  • Dog flea

Treatment details, warranty and cost

Our Flea & Mite treatments include a complete spray treatment to all affected areas includes walls skirtings, window sills, all floor spaces and floor coverings, cupboards and furniture such as beds & mattresses.

We use a high quality, low hazard IGR insecticide (insect growth regulator) that is specifically designed to interfere with the development of the Fleas & Mites at the primitive stage of their life cycle. This long lasting targeted treatment stops Fleas & Mites in their tracks preventing the natural metamorphosis of the flea insuring they never reach adulthood and cannot reproduce.

We stop the breeding cycle, and you can help prevent reinfestation with regular vacuuming of your carpeted areas and routine treatment of your dog or cat with appropriate flea control products.

Our Flea (Mites) treatments include a complete internal spray of all affected areas. If you opt for an external treatment, we will thoroughly spray the exterior of the building surface, covering window & doorframes, garage, pathways, all outdoor fixtures and fittings and garden areas.

TYPE OF STRUCTURE COST Internal Treatment Only COST Internal & External Treatment Spray
Average 1-2 bedroom unit/apartment from $240 + gst from $280 + gst
Average 3 bedroom house/townhouse from $280 + gst from $320 + gst
Large 4 + bedroom house from $380 + gst from $460 + gst

*PLEASE NOTE: The price list table above is based on 'SIGHT UNSEEN' and reflects the cost to treat an Average Home, however there may be factors that are unknown to us, that might affect just how much it will cost to remove Flea's from your home. Treatment cost largely depends on the size and the extent of the affected areas as well as the intensity of infestation. The ease of accessibility for inspection and treatment purposes may also be a factor in cost determination. Guarantee periods may be positively or negatively affected depending on the surrounding environmental circumstances, the level of housekeeping procedures and the assessed risk of possible re-infestation.

WARRANTY

Depending on environmental factors, our service carries a 3-6-month warranty from date of service. However we reserve the right not to provided a warranty particularly if the issue is within a multi-residental setting.The ease of accessibility for inspection and treatment purposes may also be a factor in cost determination. Guarantee periods may be positively or negatively affected depending on the surrounding environmental circumstances, the level of housekeeping procedures and the assessed risk of possible re-infestation.

PREPARATION

In order to carry out a treatment efficiently we will require you/tenant to be present on the day of treatment where at this stage you/tenant would have cleared all areas that require spraying/treatment i.e. removal all of kitchen utensils, pots & pans, crockery, food items from benches, tea towels, bathroom towels, toothbrushes, soaps etc.

All toys to be covered or removed and stored away. Also, all pet food bowls and pets to be removed from the premises for a minimum 4 hours. Once our technician has confirmed that all these items have been cleared, you/tenant will be required to leave during the treatment process. We require you/tenant to leave the property unattended for a minimum of 4 hours, this allows our spray treatments to dry and set.

After this time, you may re-enter, and we recommend opening windows and doors to allow ventilation. If areas are still damp, we recommend you turn on heating and/or fans to expedite the drying of our treatment.

  • Due to their remarkably quick breeding habits, it"s important to identify and deal with a Flea & Mite problem before it gets out of control.
  • We offer reliable, cost effective service that complies with all legislative requirements.
  • We guarantee to be in touch with you within 24 hours (Monday to Friday) to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.
  • Dealing specifically with Fleas & Mites on a day to day basis gives us a unique insight into the intricate characteristics of this destructive little pest.
  • All our treatments are 100% completely safe for use around children and pets and are the most environmentally friendly methods around.

Pest Signs... What to look for...

Fleas are extremely small insects and are often difficult to detect, but there are several tell-tale signs that can confirm their presence.

  • Fleas are wingless insects found worldwide and their bodies range from 2-10mm in length depending on the species.
  • They are dark brown in colour, have small heads, six legs and their bodies are flat and oval shaped.
  • They have large powerful hind legs that enable them to jump great distances.
  • One of the easiest indicators of a flea or mite infestation is when pets become irritated and constantly scratch and groom their coats, behind their head, ears and on their rear quarters
  • A closer inspection of your dog or cats coat may reveal fleas or the dark smudgy specs of flea faecal matter that fleas leave behind. Part your pets fur and investigate the areas they are obsessively scratching at.

  • Flea bites usually occur around your ankles and feet and can be identified by a tiny dark puncture point in the middle of a red lumpy bite area. Fleas often bite two or three times in the same area.
  • Their bites are extremely itchy and if scratched, can develop into a nasty secondary infection

  • Look out for flea droppings and eggs on pet bedding, around animal sleeping areas and on carpets or rugs.

 
NOTE: Fleas are very hardy pests and can be extremely difficult to eradicate. Fleas can choose to spend lengthy periods of time (6 – 12 months) in diapause (insect hibernation) only to emerge when the temperature conditions are optimal or when sensing the vibrations of a tasty host walking past enabling it to immediately begin feeding. After feeding on the host, the female flea is ready to mate and lay eggs.

Cat Flea

(Ctenocephalides felis)

Cat Flea

Cat fleas have an overall length of approx. 3mm with flattened bodies and extremely long rear legs. They will only feed on the blood of felines but will bite any host first in order to determine its compatibility. If the host is deemed unsuitable, the flea soon drops off.
These fleas are commonly found nesting where their host sleeps and this is where they most often drop their young to mature.

Dog Flea

(Ctenocephalides canis)

Dog Flea

Dog fleas feed on the blood of both dogs and cats, but they will occasionally bite humans. These fleas are carriers of Dog Tapeworm, a disease which can also affect humans. Dog fleas usually look brownish black in colour until they feed on a host and adopt a reddish–black appearance. The adults are approx. 1 to 4 mm long and they can jump approximately 6 inches moving from host to host.

Bird Flea

(Ceratophyllus gallinae)

Bird Flea

Bird flea populations can increase rapidly in a very short space of time. They infest hen houses, aviaries, batteries and other similar surroundings. The adult fleas are generally brownish in colour, and their bodies range from 1mm – 7mm long. This species of flea are prolific breeders and very common, but Bird fleas can only live for a short time indoors and only in the nests of their hosts.
If the resident bird/host vacates the nest, the adult fleas must wait for a new host to appear and occupy the nest to enable the pupae to hatch, turn into larvae, mate and the breeding cycle continues once again.

Bird Mite

(Dermanyssus gallinae)

Bird Mite

Bird mites are tiny measuring out at about half a millimetre long. They have eight legs and appear as a yellowish green colour until they become engorged with blood which turns them bright red. Adults live for approximately 3 months and in favourable conditions they can evolve from egg to adult in 7 days.
These mites may bite humans but will only feed on the blood of bird"s. They will flourish in warm, moist conditions and they can commonly be found in bird houses and nesting material.

Pigeon Ticks

(Argas reflexus)

Pigeon Ticks

Pigeon ticks are approximately 4.5mm long. They are mainly nocturnal feeding mostly on pigeons but will attack other bird species and humans as well. An engorged female can increase her body mass by up to three times when fully fed and they are commonly found in pigeon nests or in nearby roosting areas.

Scabies Mite

(Sarcoptes scabiei)

Scabies Mite

Scabies mites are miniscule insects measuring only one tenth of a millimetre to 1.5 mm long once reaching maturity. Their tiny dimensions allow the young mites to bore into the upper layer of the host"s skin without much difficulty at all. This mite performs a complete metamorphosis starting at egg, through to larva, nymph and then on to adult, surviving in total for around 4 - 6 weeks.
Scabies mites are usually transferred from host to host by physical contact.

More Information

  • Fleas that feed on the blood of animals do not feed on the blood of humans. They will bite us but disconnect as soon as they realise our blood is not compatible.
  • Fleas respond to vibration and will only start jumping when they sense a possible host is in range.
  • Fleas can stay in diapause (hibernation) for up to two years then hatch when conditions are right or when they sense a suitable host is near
  • After feeding, a female flea is capable of laying between 25 and 40 eggs a
  • Flea eggs are minute measuring approximately half a millimetre long. They are oval shaped, white in colour and are difficult to spot when lying in carpets, pet bedding and in pet fur
  • Fleas can only jump around 150 – 200 mm this is why most flea bites on humans usually occur well below the knee
  • Fleas breed quickly and have a lifecycle that can vary from between two weeks to about eight months and under optimum conditions, a handful of females can multiply to a population of over a quarter million in under a month
  • There are four stages in the life cycle of a flea (known as a complete metamorphosis) – egg, larva, pupa and adult. This cycle usually takes anywhere from two weeks to eight months or can be delayed for up to 12 months if harsh environmental conditions are present.
  • Flea eggs are commonly found in cracks and crevices, along skirting boards, in and under rugs and bedding and in furniture.
  • Once the egg develops in to an adult, it must consume a blood meal before it is capable of reproducing
  • Fleas are also transported on other animals such as rabbits, possums, foxes, rodents and many forms of livestock

First aid information:

You should consult a pharmacist or Veterinarian for advice and treatment if either you or your pets develop an itchy rash or eczema. Infested animals should be treated immediately! Your vet will recommend the best flea sprays, gels and powders to use on your pet.

Prevention tips

  • Here"s a list of things you can do to assist us in controlling a flea explosion in your home:

    • Vacuum regularly.
    • Wash your pets bedding weekly in hot water (ideally at 50°c or above).
    • pets can easily pick up these fleas from outside and bring them back in, so check them regularly using a flea come.
    • Try to remove any potential food supply that flea larvae may live on (larvae feed on adult flea faeces and other organic matter).
    • Carefully inspect carpets and flooring for signs of flea droppings or flea eggs.
    • When you vacuum up any larvae or eggs, thoroughly empty the cleaner well away from the house as the fleas will try to hitch-hike straight back in.

Seek professional help immediately!

Contact Us for a detailed flea inspection and treatment. Our technicians are highly skilled and experienced professionals who are Department of health certified. We are fully licensed and fully insured and our technicians are the best in the industry.

Commercial Information

Usually associated with domestic situations, flea populations can occur anywhere and at any time. Any staff member who owns a pet can simply and unknowingly transport these pests with them to the workplace, turning our offices, café"s or any other organization into a flea breeding ground. If you or any of your staff are suffering from mysterious bites or unexplainable rashes or itchiness on their arms and legs, then there"s a chance you might have fleas on your premises and you will need to act fast.

If any staff member presents with tiny bite marks on their skin which feature a circular red area with a dark red spot in the centre, or report constant itching then it"s probable that you have the beginnings of a flea infestation.

We can provide fast and effective treatments for all types of flea infestations before they have time to get out of control and negatively affect your business. Our highly skilled technicians can offer professional helpful advice to your staff in relation to personal protective issues and practical hygiene tips for their pets designed to prevent the problem from reoccurring.

If not treated swiftly, flea populations can escalate rapidly out of control affecting your business, your staff and customers, ultimately resulting in loss of revenue.

We have an unbeaten, proven track record in commercial Flea and Mite control. We provide our customers with the peace of mind that comes with dependable year-round guaranteed protection backed by up by a no-questions asked, results based service. If you require an immediate response to a current pest problem or perhaps you"re simply reassessing an existing strategy. Call us, we"re here to help you.

"A One size fits all" approach does not apply in pest control…

Based on a comprehensive assessment of your premises and factoring in its unique environmental conditions, we can develop a customised protection plan that suits your individual requirements. Prevention of any pest problem is the ideal and achievable goal. Our technicians can implement immediate, targeted control programs, in key harbourage areas, and advise you on proactive physical exclusion techniques. We also provide guidance and monitoring strategies that focus on non-chemical environmental control methods that enable us to achieve these goals.

The identification of pest "hot spots" through regular detailed monitoring is an integral part of any proactive eradication strategy.

Simply call 03 8840 9572 to speak with us directly or fill in the Contact Us form and we"ll respond to your enquiry in a timely fashion.

The treatment plan begins with a thorough inspection of the property establishing the particular species of Fleas and Mites causing the problem and the location of their breeding and harbourage areas. Our highly trained pest management technicians can then prepare a Flea and Mite treatment plan that will eradicate the current infestation as well as providing recommendations and practical measures for the long term control of this annoying pest insect.

Stringent health and safety regulations apply to the control and management of pest"s in business and commercial situations. Maintaining that control relies on regular monitoring, targeted strategies and effective communication between all stakeholders across the entire pest control process.

Nothing impacts on your reputation quite like an un-controlled pest infestation. No matter what industry you"re in we have a pest control solution for you. The exposure of your customers and staff to unhealthy and potentially dangerous pest situations can seriously compromise your business – and ultimately impact your bottom line. You"re hard earned and well-deserved reputation is everything and complacency can result in an outbreak that will tarnish the reputation of even the most trusted establishment.

Pests problems result in the following problems:

  • Production interruptions and costly delays  
  • The spread of illness and disease
  • Contamination and loss of stock
  • Breach of health regulations
  • Destruction of materials and inventory
  • Damage to amenities
  • Decreased employee productivity and increased absenteeism
  •  Negative customer experience

The treatment of Fleas and Mites is an integrated effort that involves habitat and source eradication coupled with the use of chemical control products as needed. This may include the application of insecticides to the vegetation sites that adult Fleas and Mites use for harbourage and breeding purposes or introducing insect growth regulators to help prevent development.

Flea and Mite population control is dependent upon the availability of breeding habitats and the particular target species, as well as many other factors. Should you experience Fleas and Mites in your working environment, contact us to discuss the options.

Supermarket insect repellents can be effective at temporarily keeping a small amount of Fleas and Mites at bay however studies have found that Fleas and Mites can ignore repellents over time as a result of repeated exposure. Supermarket repellents also begin to lose their effectiveness soon after being applied, which requires them to be constantly reapplied in order to maintain even the slightest level of protection. The only practical and effective way to control Flea and Mite populations is with the targeted application of quality commercial pesticides used in conjunction with an effective environmental control program. And this is what we provide!

  • We hold public liability insurance of $20 million and professional indemnity insurance of $500,000 for your piece of mind. An insurance certificate is available on request.
  • Possum catchers are fully compliant with all the necessary statutory and mandatory requirements relating to the Wildlife Act 1975 and all our staff are fully trained in all aspects of the Occupational health and safety act's systems and controls.
  • We are licenced Type 1 Commercial Wildlife Controllers and have nationally recognised qualifications in Cert III Asset Maintenance as well as full accreditation in all pest management systems Cert IV General pest & Termite Management.
We also hold the following Industry Accreditations: EWP Operator licence – (Yellow Card - scissor and boom lift), Victorian Construction Induction - White Card, Working at Heights licenced, current accreditation Working with Children.