What to Expect During a Flea Treatment
Fleas can develop in carpets, rugs, pet bedding, floor areas and outdoor environments where animals spend time. Treating the pet alone may not resolve an infestation because immature flea stages can remain within the surrounding environment.
A professional flea treatment involves assessing where flea activity is occurring and treating appropriate internal and external areas of the property. Treatment may include an insecticide together with an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to help manage different stages of the flea life cycle.
Preparation before the service is particularly important. Treating pets, vacuuming, washing bedding and preparing relevant outdoor areas all help support the flea treatment.
This guide explains how to prepare for your flea treatment, what happens before and during the service, what to expect afterwards and practical steps that can help reduce future flea activity.
01
Booking Information
Booking and Treatment Time
Flea treatments generally take approximately one to two hours, although treatment time can vary depending on the size of the property, the areas requiring treatment and the level of flea activity.
Your scheduled booking time is an arrival window. For example, if your arrival window is between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, your technician may arrive at any time during that period. Please allow additional time after the arrival window for the treatment to be completed.
Before Your Appointment
When booking, let Surekill know where flea activity has been noticed and whether pets live at or regularly visit the property. Let us know if fleas have been noticed indoors, outdoors or in particular areas where pets spend time.
Weather Conditions
Flea treatments may include lawns, gardens and other external areas. Wind or unsuitable weather conditions can affect external applications, so Surekill may contact you if conditions could affect the safe or effective completion of the treatment.
Where requested, water lawns and garden beds before your appointment so the ground is moist for treatment.
Licensed and Insured Technicians
Surekill Pest Control is fully insured, and our pest management technicians are appropriately licensed and follow relevant EPA requirements and product label directions when carrying out flea treatments.
Free Service Period
There is no free service period for flea treatments. Fleas have a complex life cycle, and activity may continue after treatment as immature stages already present in the environment develop and emerge.
Payment Options
Payment can be made by EFT/bank transfer, cash, EFTPOS or credit card. Payment is required before treatment commences.
02
How to Prepare for a Flea Treatment
Treat Your Pets
Before the pest treatment, ensure dogs, cats and other pets are treated with an appropriate flea treatment. Speak with your veterinarian about a suitable product for your pet. Treating the property without managing fleas on pets can allow flea activity to continue.
Vacuum Thoroughly
Vacuum carpets, rugs and hard floor surfaces thoroughly before treatment. Pay particular attention to edges, underneath furniture and areas where pets regularly rest or sleep.
After vacuuming, place the vacuum contents into a sealed bag and dispose of it outside the property.
Pay Attention to Pet Resting Areas
Pay particular attention to areas where pets regularly sleep or rest, including carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture and surrounding floor areas. These locations can contain flea eggs and immature flea stages and should be thoroughly vacuumed before treatment.
Wash Bedding
Wash pet bedding and other washable bedding or fabrics associated with flea activity. Allow everything to dry before returning it to the treated areas.
Prepare Outdoor Areas
Cut long grass and remove unnecessary items from lawns and garden areas requiring treatment. Where requested by Surekill, thoroughly water grass and garden beds before the appointment so the ground is moist.
Remove Pets and Pet Items
Remove pets from treatment areas before the technician arrives. Remove pet food, water bowls, toys and other loose pet items from areas requiring treatment.
Keep Areas Accessible
Ensure the technician has clear access to carpets, floors, areas underneath furniture, external areas and the subfloor where applicable.
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Before Treatment
Confirm Flea Activity
Your technician will discuss where flea activity has been noticed and assess the relevant areas of the property. Fleas are commonly noticed around the ankles and lower legs and may become active as people move through an infested area.
Property Access
Ensure your technician has clear access to all areas requiring treatment, including carpets, rugs, areas underneath furniture, lawns, gardens and the subfloor where applicable.
Pets
All pets must be removed from the treatment areas before treatment begins. Pet flea treatment should be carried out by the pet owner or veterinarian using an appropriate product intended for the animal. Surekill Pest Control does not apply flea treatments directly to pets.
Fish Ponds, Fish Tanks and Bird Cages
Cover fish tanks, fish ponds and bird cages appropriately before treatment where they could be exposed to the application.
Water Tank Location
Tell your technician if the property has a rainwater tank and where it is located so appropriate precautions can be taken during external treatment.
Air Conditioning
Turn off air-conditioning and ventilation systems before treatment where requested by your technician.
Chemical Sensitivities
Tell Surekill before treatment if anyone at the property has a known chemical sensitivity. People with chemical sensitivities should remain away from treated areas for 24 hours, or until the treatment has completely dried and the area has been adequately ventilated, whichever is longer.
Final Check
Before treatment begins, your technician will confirm the areas requiring treatment and make sure they can be safely accessed.
04
Flea Treatment Process
Assessing the Flea Problem
Your technician will assess the areas where flea activity has been reported or identified. This helps determine the extent of the treatment required and the areas that need particular attention.
Internal Treatment
Where required, an appropriate insecticide treatment may be applied to carpets, rugs, floor areas, edges, underneath furniture and other suitable locations where flea stages may be present.
External Treatment
Relevant outdoor areas may also require treatment, particularly lawns, garden areas and locations where pets regularly spend time. Flea larvae can develop outdoors when environmental conditions are suitable.
Insect Growth Regulator
Treatment may include an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) as part of the flea management program. This helps disrupt the development of immature flea stages and assists with breaking the flea life cycle.
Subfloor Treatment
Where there is an accessible subfloor and flea activity or suitable conditions are present, treatment may also be applied to appropriate subfloor areas.
Treatment According to the Property
Not every property requires exactly the same treatment. Your technician will select the appropriate products, application methods and treatment areas according to the flea activity and conditions found at the property.
05
After Your Flea Treatment
Re-Entry After Treatment
Keep people and pets away from treated areas while treatment is being carried out and until the products have completely dried. Follow any additional re-entry instructions provided by your technician.
Allow Treated Areas to Dry
Avoid contact with treated surfaces while they are wet. Drying times can vary depending on the areas treated and environmental conditions.
Flea Activity After Treatment
You may continue to notice fleas after treatment. Flea pupae can remain protected within their cocoons for extended periods and may emerge as adult fleas when stimulated by movement and vibration.
Walking Through Treated Areas
Once treated areas are dry and safe to re-enter, normal movement through the property can help stimulate adult fleas to emerge from their pupal stage. The emerging fleas can then come into contact with the treatment.
Continue Your Pet's Flea Management
Continue the flea-control program recommended for your pets by your veterinarian. Treating the property and managing fleas on pets are both important parts of reducing reinfestation.
Monitor Flea Activity
Continue to monitor the property after treatment. Because different stages of the flea life cycle may already be present when the property is treated, flea activity does not necessarily disappear immediately.
06
How to Help Keep Fleas Away
Maintain Flea Protection for Pets
Continue an appropriate flea-control program for dogs, cats and other pets as recommended by your veterinarian. Pets can pick up fleas away from the property and introduce them back into the home.
Vacuum Regularly
Regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, floor edges and underneath furniture. Give particular attention to areas where pets regularly sleep or rest. Regular cleaning helps make the environment less suitable for flea development.
Keep Pet Bedding Clean
Wash pet bedding regularly and keep pet sleeping and resting areas clean.
Maintain Outdoor Areas
Keep lawns maintained and reduce areas where animals can shelter around the property. Flea larvae can develop outdoors, particularly where warm, humid and sheltered conditions are present.
Reduce Access for Other Animals
Where practical, prevent rodents and other animals from accessing subfloors and sheltered areas around the property. Animals entering these areas can contribute to flea activity.
Watch for Early Signs
Monitor pets and the areas where they spend time for signs of renewed flea activity. Identifying activity early can help prevent a larger infestation from developing.
