Pinelands was laid out as South Africa's first garden city, and its tall trees, wide verges and old thatched cottages still define it.
Fleas in Pinelands
Fleas come into Pinelands homes with dogs and cats that roam the green belts and parks, and with squirrels or rats living in the roof. Larvae develop in carpets, rugs, pet beds and the gaps between old floorboards, and the warm months are the peak. Bird mites can also get into homes from nests in thatch or under the eaves, and cause bites even in homes without pets.
We treat the house and pet areas with a product that stops larvae developing, and deal with bird nests in the thatch or roof if they're part of the problem. Pets should be treated by the vet on the same day.
How to tell you have a problem
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: Flea bites cause intense itching and many people and pets develop allergic dermatitis that leads to broken skin and infection. Fleas carry the dog and cat tapeworm, which pets pick up by swallowing infected fleas while grooming. Heavy infestations can cause anaemia in puppies, kittens and older animals. For rental properties and holiday lets, a flea problem left by previous occupants is a common source of complaints.
A note from the field
Vacuuming is not a chore you can skip after a flea treatment. The vibration triggers pupae to hatch and walk across the treated surfaces, which is exactly what you want.
How we handle flea control in Pinelands
A proper flea job hits every life stage, not just the adults. We use an insect growth regulator, which stops eggs and larvae developing into breeding adults, together with a residual insecticide on carpets, floors, under furniture and around pet resting places, both inside and in sheltered outdoor spots. Before we arrive, you vacuum thoroughly, wash pet bedding hot and lift items off the floor so the product reaches where the larvae live. The pets must be treated by your vet on the same day or just before, otherwise new fleas keep arriving. Because pupae are protected in their cocoons, we often book a follow-up treatment a couple of weeks later to catch the late hatchers.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our flea control service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Wash pet bedding on a hot cycle every week or two and vacuum the areas where pets sleep.
- Discourage stray cats from sleeping under the house, on the stoep or in the garage.
- Keep every pet in the house on a vet-recommended flea product all year round, because heated homes keep fleas breeding through winter.
- Deal with rats or mice in the roof promptly, as their fleas can drop into the house.
- Before moving into a rental or newly bought home, ask whether the previous occupants had pets, and consider a treatment before the furniture goes in.
Pricing, honestly
The main factors are the size of the house, how much carpet and soft furnishing there is, and whether outdoor areas need treating as well. A heavy infestation in a multi-pet home will usually need a follow-up visit, which we include in the quote. Preparation on your side makes a big difference to how well a single treatment works, and we give a free quote upfront.
Fleas breed fastest in warm, humid weather, so numbers rise from about October and peak through the hot Cape Town summer. Indoors they keep going all year because houses rarely get cold enough to stop them. We also see a spike in autumn when people return from holidays and the vibration of activity wakes up dormant pupae.
Frequently asked questions
Can fleas live on people?
Cat fleas bite people but do not live on us; they need a furry host to breed. If there is no pet in the house, a rodent problem or a previous occupant's animal is usually the source.
Why do I still see fleas after the treatment?
Pupae in their cocoons are protected and keep hatching for up to two or three weeks, and those new fleas then die on contact with the treated surfaces. Keep vacuuming, and call us if numbers are not dropping after that period.
Is there a guarantee?
Our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee, provided the pets are kept on vet flea treatment as advised.
Should I vacuum after the treatment?
Yes, but wait until the day after. Vacuuming encourages pupae to hatch and removes eggs, and it does not undo the treatment.
Do you treat my dog or cat?
No, pets must be treated by your vet. We treat the house and garden, and both need to happen together for the job to work.
Can birds in my Pinelands thatch cause bites?
Yes, bird mites from nests. Removing nests and netting thatch edges helps.
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