‘Vampire’ fleas are invading the UK with the worst plague for many years due to milder weather and plenty of rain along with an increase in pet ownership.
With Halloween around the corner, Brits are being told to get ready for the blood-thirsty fleas that are breeding rapidly.
Fleas are finding perfect conditions for spreading in carpeted homes where the central heating is kept on all day long.
These dubbed “super fleas” are breeding fast and are difficult to kill as they are resistant to many treatments.
Experts are saying that the situation has been made worse by plenty of new pet owners who have bought animals during the pandemic.
Chris Socratous, a pet care expert at Bob Martin told The Sun that people need to take steps to prevent them getting into homes in the first place.
He said: "We've seen some really unusual weather patterns across the UK in recent months.
"When you combine this with thousands of potentially first-time or inexperienced owners who welcomed a pet into their home during the various lockdowns, we could be facing one of the worst flea and tick seasons for years."
The advice is to be well informed about what treatments are available for fleas and be aware of the dangers including Lyme disease that is a potentially life threatening infection.
Fleas primarily, though, cause plenty of itching and chemists around the country have reportedly seen a rise in sales of creams for bites.
Pet owners are also being urged to apply anti-louse treatments correctly as and when necessary.
The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has warned an infestation can rapidly spiral out of control as the creepy-crawlies reproduce.
Female fleas can lay anywhere up to 1,500 eggs during their lifespan, which means a few fleas can quickly create a large population of the biting parasites, reported LeicestershireLive.
Dee Ward-Thompson of the BPCA said: “Female fleas take a ‘blood meal’ from an infested animal, then lay their eggs, which drop onto the floor and surrounding furniture before developing into larvae.
“It is crucial to tackle a flea infestation without hesitation as they can quickly get out of control.”
BPCA is urging people to be aware of the six signs of fleas, which are:
- Pets constantly scratching, licking or biting themselves
- Fleas or flea droppings visible in the coat of your pet
- Black specks that fall from your pet as you comb them which then turn red if you put them on paper and add water
- Members of the household getting bitten around the ankles
- Bites on arms after you have been holding your pet
- Spotting small insects on soft furnishings that jump
