As the saying goes, there's no pleasure without pain.
And while cranking up the heating in your home might make you feel nice and cosy, it could also attract some very unwanted visitors.
According to new research turning up the heat can increase the likelihood of flea outbreaks - and 62 percent of Brits with a cat or dog are unaware of this.
This is because the warmer conditions are ideal for flea pupae (the cocoons in which fleas encase themselves in) to hatch.
A study of 2,000 British pet owners revealed that 57 percent heat their homes between 21C and 26C during the winter months, which vet Zoe Costigan from pet wellbeing firm itchpet.com says is the "perfect" breeding ground for the pesky insects.
She said: "Fleas are often considered a summer problem for our pets, but the reality is that they are very much a year-round problem in our homes, with eggs hatching once the central heating is turned on.
"Better quality central heating and insulation around the home has improved the conditions for fleas to thrive.
"Fleas can complete their life cycle in less than three weeks at 29C, so as long as the temperature doesn't top 30C, the warmer the house, the faster they will reproduce."
The majority of fleas in the home can be found in pets bedding, carpets and bedding/soft furnishings.
Charlotte Harper, co-founder of pet wellbeing firm, Itchpet.com said "With forecasters predicting one of the coldest winters on record, the heat is definitely on to contain pesky parasites. Already, we've spotted notable week on week sales increases for flea treatments in London, Norwich and Newcastle.
"Our study revealed that people in these regions prefer their homes slightly warmer than other parts of the UK, which could be a factor.
"Fleas are a nightmare for our pets. They’re not only a discomfort, but can cause inflammation and severe pain as well as acting as a carrier for other parasites such as tapeworm. It is so much easier to prevent an infestation than treat one."
How to spot a flea outbreak according to vet Zoe Costigan
- Excessive Scratching - Have you noticed your cat or dog scratching more than usual? This is typically a strong sign that your pet is hosting some unwanted parasites. Also look out for constant licking and biting too.
- Fleas are normally reddy-brown and about 2mm long. In cats, fleas most commonly live around the head and neck. Check here as well as on its back and belly. Fleas on dogs on the other hand tend to target their lower back, chest, belly and legs.
- Look out for black specs on your pet’s skin - these fine droppings are ‘flea dirt’ or flea faeces.
- Fleas prefer to live on your pet, but they can also take up residence on you. If the population grows, fleas can branch out and begin living in carpets, rugs, bedding and upholstered furniture.
- If you suspect an infestation, try walking on your carpet wearing white socks. Look at your soles afterwards. If you see tiny black bugs, those are likely fleas.
Fleabites on people are pretty distinctive. Most commonly found around the legs or ankle, they look like small red bumps in clusters of three or four. You may also notice a red “halo” around the bite centre.
