Cat flea: the field card
Your pet brings it in, but the carpet is where it lives.
Card 06
Ctenocephalides felis
In short
The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is also the most common flea on dogs: 1 to 3 mm, reddish-brown, flattened sideways and able to jump remarkably high. Its eggs drop off the animal and develop in rugs, floorboards and pet beds. You need to treat the pet with your vet and, at the same time, the whole home.
Only adult fleas live on the animal. Eggs roll onto the floor, larvae hide away from light in fibres and gaps, then wrap themselves in a cocoon. Inside it, a flea can wait for weeks or even a few months until vibration or warmth signals a host.
That explains the 'surprise' infestations after a holiday or when moving into a flat left empty: dozens of fleas hatch at once when people start walking around the rooms again.
Tell-tale signs of fleas
- 1Clusters of very itchy bites around the ankles and legs.
- 2Tiny insects jumping onto light-coloured socks when you walk on the carpet.
- 3Intense scratching by your pet, especially at the base of the tail.
- 4Little black specks in the fur or pet bed that leave a red smear on damp paper.
Risk index
DeratiseurPRO rating, from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
- Health
- 3/5
- Damage
- 1/5
- Spread
- 4/5
The risks
- Bites and itching in people.
- Flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats.
- Transmission of a tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) to pets that swallow a flea.
- Rapid spread through the whole home if the environment is not treated.
How we treat it
- 01
Detect
We locate the pet's resting spots and the worst-hit rooms and advise on coordinating with the vet's treatment.
- 02
Neutralise
Floors, textiles and sleeping areas treated with an insecticide combined with a growth regulator that stops larvae developing.
- 03
Lock
Vacuuming protocol (bag disposed of outdoors), 60 °C wash for textiles, sealing floorboard gaps where needed.
- 04
Monitor
Check after the remaining cocoons hatch, second visit if required, photo report and written guarantee.
Prevention checklist
Simple habits that lower the risk of the intruder coming back.
- Treat every pet in the household regularly, on veterinary advice.
- Vacuum sleeping areas, rugs and sofas often.
- Wash the pet's bed and blankets at a high temperature.
- Before moving back into an empty home, vacuum everywhere and watch for bites.
Frequently asked questions
I've treated my cat, so why do I still have fleas?
Because most of the population (eggs, larvae and cocoons) lives in your home. New fleas keep hatching for several weeks until the environment is treated.
Can fleas live on people?
Cat fleas bite people but don't settle on them for long. They need an animal to breed.
Do I need to leave home after treatment?
Yes, for a few hours, with your pets, while the floors dry. We give you the exact time and ventilation instructions for the product used.
Got fleas at home?
Price shown before you book, 2-hour time slot, same-day photo report and written guarantee.