A report issued today has stated that Kildare is Ireland's fifth most flea infested county.
The report is based on the number of callouts that pest control experts Rentokil have received in the past three months, with the company reporting that they have received a 77% surge in residential flea inquiries for May, June and July 2018, compared to the same period last year.
Kildare was the fifth most affected county, accounting for 8% of Rentokil’s callouts during that period related to flea infestations. Dublin homeowners were the most affected, with 39% of requests for assistance in dealing with flea infestations from the capital.
The wingless bloodsuckers thrive in humid conditions and Ireland’s warm and dry summer has provided ideal breeding conditions for pesky fleas. Fleas typically live outdoors but attach to pets or people. In particular those who have come into contact with wildlife such as foxes, rabbits, rodents or deer, and fleas are then carried into homes by the host.
The most common indication of a flea issue is a bite or skin irritation.
The top five counties experiencing flea infestations:
| Dublin | 39% |
| Cork | 18% |
| Wexford | 13% |
| Wicklow | 10% |
| Kildare | 8% |
*Other Counties: 12%
Dr. Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager of Rentokil said; “The favourable weather conditions this summer have provided fleas with the ideal conditions to thrive and breed. It’s incredibly difficult to identify the presence of fleas in the home. If the infestation came from a pet, it’s important to treat not only the animal but also the house in order to fully address the problem and prevent reoccurrence. ”
“Fleas found on the host typically only represent just 5% of the total flea population nearby. The other 95% will be in bedding, carpets and furniture. Compounding the problem, they can lay dormant and undetected for months or even a year before hatching and attaching to a host. Preventative measures can be taken to minimise the risk of a flea infestation.
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