Wellingtons Go-To Flea Controllers
Fleas are a real nuisance, especially when they decide to make your home their own. Many of our clients often mistake fleas for bed bugs, which can make things even more frustrating.
The good news is you can trust Total Pest Control to get them under control quickly and effectively. For pricing, [click here] or simply fill out our online form, and one of our team will be in touch.
Our Proccess For Flea Control
Inspection
Get in Touch – Simply fill out our online form or give us a call. One of our technicians will contact you to discuss your options and provide a quote our prices are here. For commercial properties, please contact us directly. We’ll then book a treatment time that works best for you.
Site Arrival – On arrival, we’ll greet you and ask you to explain the situation in detail. Show us where you’ve seen the fleas, how many, their colour, and any other observations that may help us.
Inspection – We carry out a full inspection of your property, including:
- All rooms
- Subfloor and ceiling spaces
- Exterior areas
- Food storage and waste management zones
- Pets
Treatment
Treatment – After the inspection, our technician will choose the most effective treatment method for your property (see options below). Before starting, we’ll explain the process and all health and safety details again to ensure you feel comfortable
Our Flea Treatments:
Inside Spray – Targeted insecticide treatment applied indoors.
Monitoring Stations – Used to track flea activity and treatment progress.
Steam Carpet Clean – Hot steam cleaning to kill fleas and eggs in carpets.
HEPA Vacuuming – High-power vacuuming to remove fleas, larvae, and eggs.
Decluttering – Removing clutter to reduce flea hiding spots.
Scrub Removal – Cleaning and scrubbing areas where fleas may live.
Recommendations – Helpful advice for preventing future infestations.
Maintenance
Maintenance - After treatments insuring you follow all reccomendations from our team will keep the proprety pest free. Here are some things we may recommend
Pet Flea Treatment – Sometimes it’s as simple as de-fleaing your cat or dog, either at home or with help from your vet.
Monitoring – Every week or two, check around your home for any signs of fleas. Catching them early makes control much easier.
Regular Cleaning – Keeping carpets and floors clean and free of debris helps reduce flea hiding spots.
Decluttering – The less clutter, the fewer places fleas have to live and breed.
Insect Guards – Adding screens or seals to windows, doors, and other entry points can stop fleas and other pests from getting in.
Things to Know About Fleas
Common Species
- The most frequent fleas are the cat flea and dog flea in Wellington.
- Bird fleas can also show up, especially if birds nest in roofs, eaves, or attics.
Favourable Conditions
- Wellington homes, especially older ones, often have carpets, wooden floorboards, and insulation that create warm, humid micro-climates which fleas like.
- The cooler seasonal temperatures don’t always kill fleas in every life stage. Pupae can remain dormant until they sense warmth, vibrations, or carbon dioxide to emerge.
Life Cycle & Re-infestation Risk
- Fleas go through egg → larva → pupa → adult. Eggs laid on pets often fall off into carpets, bedding or cracks. Larvae feed on organic matter, pupae can stay hidden and resistant to many treatments.
- Because pupae are resistant and may lie dormant for weeks to months, treatment often needs patience and follow-ups to be fully effective.
Mistaken Identity
- Many people in Wellington confuse fleas with other biting insects like bed bugs or mites. Flea bites tend to target lower legs, ankles, sometimes torso and wrists, but the telltale signs are “flea dirt” (tiny black speckles in pet bedding or carpets), pets scratching, and small red itchy spots.
Challenges in Wellington
- Wild or feral animals (birds, possums, etc.) and neighbourhood pets can contribute to re-infestation. Even if you treat your home, fleas may keep being brought in from these sources.
- Homes that are left vacant (holiday homes, rentals) often allow fleas to build up unnoticed, especially if pets had been there before.
Health / Safety Risks
- Fleas are more than just itchy bites. They can cause allergic reactions, secondary skin infections, and they can carry parasites like tapeworms.
- Bites may heal slowly in sensitive individuals, children, or those with compromised skin.
Effective Control Strategies
- Treating pets and the environment is essential. Pets alone won’t clear things. Pet bedding, carpet edges, couches, and under furniture are prime areas.
- Use products that kill multiple stages of the flea life cycle (adult, larval, egg, and pupae) and ideally insect growth regulators (IGRs) to prevent immature fleas from developing.
- Regular vacuuming, washing bedding, treating outdoor resting spots for pets, keeping lawns trimmed, and sealing gaps around doors and windows all help reduce flea activity.
When to Call a Professional
- If fleas are widespread throughout carpets and furniture, or you keep getting new fleas after multiple efforts, it's time to bring in professional pest control.
- Professionals have access to more potent treatments, better tools for monitoring, and can ensure correct application for long-term control.