Beat the fleas!
With the Great British summertime in full swing, many of us will be enjoying picnics, walks and barbecues as well as spending more time with our pets outdoors. However, unknown to many, the British summertime also signals the start of the flea season, which increasingly goes underestimated by Britain's pet owners.
Fleas thrive in humidity and in temperatures between 24˚C-30˚C, making this summertime and our homes an optimum breeding ground for the parasites. New research from Bob Martin reveals that pet owners could be doing more to stay vigilant, and protect their homes and pets from fleas this summer:
• 95% of fleas are found in the home, yet over two thirds (79%) of pet owners overlook the problem
• Britain's pet owners estimate that 26% of fleas reside in their home – a perception at odds with the stark reality that 95% of fleas are found in home environments
• 41% of pet owners fail to treat for fleas until they notice reddened skin, bald patches and bites on themselves or their family
• Over a quarter (26%) have never used a home flea treatment
Fleas are brought into the home by your pet, which can lead to flea eggs transferring from your pet's fur onto carpets and crevices within the home. A single female flea can lay up to fifty eggs per day, resulting in an infestation quickly building up in the home; a problem hidden in plain sight for many households.
The Bob Martin Clear research reveals that a third of pet owners do not treat their homes for fleas, after knowing that their pet has been infected, and that nearly half (41%) of pet owners are leaving it too late when it comes to fleas, only taking action when they notice flea bites on themselves or others, or spot reddened skin and bald patches on their pet.1
Top tips for surviving the flea season
Zoe, a vet from Bob Martin, shares her top tips for tackling the flea season:
• Treat your home, not just your pet. The fleas that you see on your pet are only 5% of the problem – the rest of the flea lifecycle will be taking place in your home. Make sure you use a household flea treatment in conjunction with a spot-on treatment for your pet.
• Vacuum carpets and soft furnishings before and after applying a home treatment; this will encourage deeper penetration of home flea treatments and cause adult fleas to emerge – don't forget to treat under the furniture too
• Remember, central heating systems in Autumn create a perfect environment to for dormant eggs to hatch, so it's important to treat your home and pet all year round, not just during the summer
• Wash pet bedding, plush toys and rugs regularly to eliminate flea eggs
• Use the right flea product for your pet – use animal specific products for your cats and dogs, and small animal products for pets such as rabbits, ferrets and hamsters
• Don't overlook other health problems – if your pet has recently had fleas then consider also treating it for worms, as tapeworm is spread by the flea parasite. Ensure you apply products onto the skin not the fur
Managing and protecting your home this summer doesn't have to be a chore – try the new, Bob Martin Clear range of prevention and pesticide-free treatment products for animals and home. www.bobmartinclear.co.uk
Fleas thrive in humidity and in temperatures between 24˚C-30˚C, making this summertime and our homes an optimum breeding ground for the parasites. New research from Bob Martin reveals that pet owners could be doing more to stay vigilant, and protect their homes and pets from fleas this summer:
• 95% of fleas are found in the home, yet over two thirds (79%) of pet owners overlook the problem
• Britain's pet owners estimate that 26% of fleas reside in their home – a perception at odds with the stark reality that 95% of fleas are found in home environments
• 41% of pet owners fail to treat for fleas until they notice reddened skin, bald patches and bites on themselves or their family
• Over a quarter (26%) have never used a home flea treatment
Fleas are brought into the home by your pet, which can lead to flea eggs transferring from your pet's fur onto carpets and crevices within the home. A single female flea can lay up to fifty eggs per day, resulting in an infestation quickly building up in the home; a problem hidden in plain sight for many households.
The Bob Martin Clear research reveals that a third of pet owners do not treat their homes for fleas, after knowing that their pet has been infected, and that nearly half (41%) of pet owners are leaving it too late when it comes to fleas, only taking action when they notice flea bites on themselves or others, or spot reddened skin and bald patches on their pet.1
Top tips for surviving the flea season
Zoe, a vet from Bob Martin, shares her top tips for tackling the flea season:
• Treat your home, not just your pet. The fleas that you see on your pet are only 5% of the problem – the rest of the flea lifecycle will be taking place in your home. Make sure you use a household flea treatment in conjunction with a spot-on treatment for your pet.
• Vacuum carpets and soft furnishings before and after applying a home treatment; this will encourage deeper penetration of home flea treatments and cause adult fleas to emerge – don't forget to treat under the furniture too
• Remember, central heating systems in Autumn create a perfect environment to for dormant eggs to hatch, so it's important to treat your home and pet all year round, not just during the summer
• Wash pet bedding, plush toys and rugs regularly to eliminate flea eggs
• Use the right flea product for your pet – use animal specific products for your cats and dogs, and small animal products for pets such as rabbits, ferrets and hamsters
• Don't overlook other health problems – if your pet has recently had fleas then consider also treating it for worms, as tapeworm is spread by the flea parasite. Ensure you apply products onto the skin not the fur
Managing and protecting your home this summer doesn't have to be a chore – try the new, Bob Martin Clear range of prevention and pesticide-free treatment products for animals and home. www.bobmartinclear.co.uk