Flea Exterminator Cost in UK: How Much to Fumigate a House – Fantastic Services
Dog and cat fleas are the most common types of fleas in the UK. While it’s mostly pet owners who get infested, fleas can also be carried in from other animals, such as rabbits, squirrels, foxes and rodents. If you live on a property where the previous owner had infested pets, you can also end up infested.
So, if you:
- Have discovered a flea infestation on your property.
- Have tried some DIY methods to no avail.
- Want to hire a professional flea exterminator.
Keep on reading to learn more about flea exterminator costs in the UK.
Is it worth getting an exterminator for fleas?
Fleas develop fast, growing from larvae to pupae to adults in just 18 to 26 days, depending on the temperature. When mature, a single flea can lay around 25 eggs per day, reaching around 800 by the end of its life. When mature, the offspring will spread by jumping on unsuspecting pets, other animals, or even luggage, and from there, onto you and your close ones.
Fleas should be removed as soon as you spot them, otherwise, you will have a serious infestation in no time. Flea saliva can also cause your pets to develop allergies and you or your family to experience swelling. So those are two more reasons why the pests need to go NOW.
Many people underestimate the threat and try DIY means from the internet, such as salt. They say you should grind it until it becomes powder-like and sprinkle it all over your carpet. That’s where fleas hide the most. In 12 hours, you need to vacuum the salt and throw away the vacuum bag. Borax is an alternative to salt and dehydrates the pests, eventually killing them.
Sometimes DIY flea control methods do work, but only on the fleas you actually manage to see. Usually, there are plenty more in hiding, which come back inevitably and in larger numbers. On the other hand, professional heat treatment or fumigation kills off the pests in all their life stages.
How much does flea extermination cost in UK?
Flea treatment costs in the UK can differ. Flea fumigation costs range between £100 and £200 and sometimes more, depending on different factors. You will become familiar with the factors in just a second.
Proper flea treatment usually requires a second and sometimes a third visit, depending on how severe the infestation is. Each subsequent visit also costs extra, whereas inspections may or may not be included in the price.
In our case at Fantastic Services, the inspection costs £45, but with a Fantastic Club membership, you can get it for as little as £15. You can also get flea treatment at lower prices by joining the Fantastic Club.
To learn more about how much our flea extermination costs, check our flea treatment page.
How do professionals get rid of fleas?
Professional flea extermination is not cheap, and for a good reason. It’s not about spraying randomly everywhere but spraying the right amount in the right area. Professionals know how to deflea a house because they’re experienced and fully equipped to handle different infestation levels.
The two most common methods for flea eradication are fumigation (chemical spray) and heat treatment.
- Heat treatment – involves heating the infested room to a temperature over 56ºC. This method is eco-friendly and will kill the entire flea colony regardless if it’s in the carpet fibres, soft furnishings or tiny nooks and crannies in the wall. Their life stage also makes no difference in this case. However, if even a few fleas have remained outside the treated room, they will easily reinfest the place. Heat treatment is used only for the most severe infestations, where you see the pests literally jumping everywhere. This method is also effective for treating severe woodworm infestations in furniture. Learn more about woodworm removal methods and prices.
- Fumigation – involves applying a chemical agent that kills all fleas and remains effective long enough to kill off the hatchings. That means you should hoover thoroughly before treatment and not afterwards. If you do, you will remove the chemical. You need to wait for at least 7 days after the initial treatment before hoovering. During this time you will see more fleas emerging from their hiding places which is perfectly normal. The second treatment will take care of them along with any new hatchings. Fumigation is used for medium-sized infestations with great results.
No pets or children should be present in the room while it’s being treated for fleas, regardless of the method.
Fleas won’t return to your home once removed professionally, however they can be brought back by infested clothing, pets or a neighbour’s apartment. That’s why regular vacuuming and deep cleaning are essential against any potential eggs laid in secret. If any eggs end up on your sofa or in your carpets, you will vacuum them before they have the chance to hatch.
How are flea removal service prices estimated?
A little earlier, you read that flea removal service costs differ for each company due to different factors. Now, it’s time you learned what those factors are:
- How big is the infestation – The more fleas you have, the more chemicals you’ll need to deal with them. It will also require a second and possibly a third visit until the pests are completely removed from your property.
- Flea treatment technique – Heat treatment is more expensive than fumigation and will likely not require a second visit unless the fleas have spread to your neighbours or your pets are not treated. Fumigation requires a second visit, sometimes a third, but is more affordable, especially if the infestation is not that bad.
- The number of rooms in the property – The more rooms you need to be treated, the higher the price becomes. After all, it will require more time, effort and products.
- The area – If the flea exterminator needs to travel beyond the perimeter they cover, they will certainly charge you more for fuel and time. Plus, costs in larger cities like London are always higher. Parking fees are also included in the price unless you have a parking permit to lend to the exterminator.
Whenever you wonder about the prices of a flea removal service, know this: the longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes. So, don’t wait.
What do you do if your house is infested with fleas?
If you see a flee or two, don’t panic. Instead:
- Clean – Vacuum all the carpets and soft furnishings, then throw away the bag. Wash your bedding at the highest possible temperature.
- Take your pets to the vet – The professional will de-flea your furry friends.
- Take steps to remove the fleas – Either research some DIY means or go online and write ”fumigators near me”. Either way, you need to take action as soon as possible. When it comes to fleas, professional methods work best, keep that in mind.
Need a reliable fumigator near you?
Find a professional to take care of your property.
FAQ:
Yes, fleas can live in your bed and will feed on you every time you sleep. Pillows, blankets and bedsheets provide them with plenty of hiding places, while the inside of your mattress is a perfect place for laying eggs.
2 weeks, maybe a little more. It takes around 5 to 10 days for all adult fleas to die from the first fumigation. The second fumigation will finish off any last survivors and newly hatched larvae.
About 48 hours, after which the adults touched by the insecticide will die off, and several days until the ones in hiding reemerge and get in contact with the product.
Only after the first fumigation, but that’s what the second one is for. Fleas can also return either from an infested neighbouring apartment or from your pet carrying them inside after a long day of playing in the grass.
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Image source: Vera Larina / Shutterstock.com
