- Risk level
- Medium
- Peak season
- Spring & summer, and after pets move out
- Where you’ll find them
- Carpets, rugs, pet bedding, sub-floors, lawns
- DIY?
- Partial — eggs and pupae survive
Overview
Most fleas in a home aren’t on the pet at all — they’re eggs, larvae and pupae in carpets and bedding. When a property is vacant, pupae wait for vibration and warmth, which is why new tenants often get bitten the moment they move in. Many Victorian leases require a flea treatment at the end of a tenancy when pets have been kept.
How to identify fleas
Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
The most common flea on both cats and dogs in Australia. Dark brown, 1–3 mm and can jump over 100 times its body length.
Dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis)
Less common; very similar in appearance and habits.
Signs you have a problem
- Pets scratching, biting or licking constantly
- Small itchy bites around ankles and lower legs
- Tiny dark specks (flea dirt) in pet bedding that turn red on wet paper
- Fleas jumping on socks when walking across carpet
Why it matters
- Itchy bites and allergic dermatitis for people and pets
- Fleas can transmit tapeworm to pets
- Lost bond or delayed end-of-lease inspections
How we treat fleas
- 1
Pre-treatment vacuum
Vacuum floors, rugs and furniture thoroughly before we arrive — vibration triggers pupae to hatch so the treatment reaches them.
- 2
Adulticide + growth regulator
Carpets, floors, sub-floor and yard hot-spots are treated with an adulticide plus an insect growth regulator (IGR) that stops eggs and larvae developing.
- 3
Pet treatment
Treat pets with a vet-recommended flea product on the same day for lasting results.
- 4
Receipt for your agent
For end-of-lease jobs, you receive a tax invoice/receipt to show your property manager.
Prevention tips you can do today
- Keep pets on a regular vet-recommended flea treatment all year
- Wash pet bedding weekly in hot water
- Vacuum often and empty the vacuum outside
- Keep lawns mown and limit pets’ access to sub-floors