Fleas are able to transmit disease through their biting and sucking habit. Fleas are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood from animals including humans in their adult form. There are over 70 species of fleas in Australia but the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) and the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis) are the two that cause the most trouble for pets and their owners. Because fleas prefer warm, humid situations they typically become a serious pest in the summer months. Control Methods Control Methods require an understanding of flea biology which is quite complex: Vacuuming and steam cleaning carpets as well as regularly washing bedding used by animals can reduce numbers to controllable levels. Empty the vacuum cleaner bags each time and dispose of the contents as fleas can thrive in the sealed bag. If this is not possible, you may prefer to suck up a small quantity of low toxic flea powder. Steam cleaning (if the infestation is severe) can trigger remaining eggs to hatch because of the heat and humidity produced, so follow up with a vacuuming program for several days. For successful flea control the home, pets and often the yard may need to be treated. Professional treatment is recommended.

Mites are linked to the increasing prevalence of asthma. In recent years mites, particularly those that reside primarily in house dust, have been linked to the increasing prevalence of asthma in both adults and children. When accumulations of dust, mites and mite faecal pellets become airborne through activities such as vacuuming or dusting, we inevitably inhale these particles eliciting allergic reactions from susceptible individuals. Control Methods Contrary to popular belief vacuuming has little effect on mite populations as only a low percentage is removed and this percentage may even be less than the rate of population growth. Preventative Measures Physically encasing bedding and pillows is recommended to reduce the occurrence of mites in the home. In addition, washing utensils, equipment or bedding or other items is also effective, particularly with hot water. Mites can also be removed from bedding and clothing through dry cleaning, or from carpets through steam cleaning. Professional Treatments Professional treatments available to remove stubborn or widespread mite infestations include treating carpets with liquid nitrogen, among other chemical agents. This method kills most mites in a few minutes by freezing them at minus 30 degrees Celsius!

Silverfish can cause significant damage to foodstuffs, paper products and clothing. Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) cause damage in homes by eating foods and other materials that are high in protein, sugar or starch. This includes cereals, moist flour, any paper on which there is glue or paste (including wall paper!), bookbindings and starch in clothing and rayon fabrics. Silverfish usually live and develop close to their food source in damp, cool places, though they have the ability to live without food for several months. Large numbers can sometimes be found in new buildings in which the walls are still damp. This pest is one of the most difficult to totally eliminate. The more food available, the more silverfish thrive so professional treatment is advised.

“Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” Bed bug infestations DO still occur. In the past, the presence of bed bugs was thought to be related to poor housekeeping; however, this is not necessarily the case. Bedbugs are nocturnal insects, feeding at night on blood (particularly human) and hiding in dark places during the day in cracks and crevices like the folds of mattresses and upholstery of chairs. They have a characteristic odor described as a musty, sweet odor, other signs of infestation include black spots that have been left on surfaces where the insects have been and sometimes blood stains on sheets and mattresses. Bites can be painless and undetectable in some people, but others may be quite sensitive to bites. Itching and welt formation occurs when a person has an allergic reaction. These bugs mainly bite people if the infestation is very high or their primary hosts die. Some bug species are closely associated with bats, bird nests and chicken houses. Bedbugs are difficult to eradicate and a series of thorough professional control treatments is advised.

For the professional treatment of fleas, mites, silverfish and bedbugs contact Scientific Pest Management.

Photographs courtesy of Philip Haddington – long recognised as one of Australia’s foremost pest control experts.

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