Are Fleas Living in My Carpet? Signs to Check in an Ely Home

Fleas living in your carpet will usually give themselves away through bites around the ankles, dark jumping specks and black grit in the pile. The harder question, particularly in an older Ely house with a mix of carpet, rugs and bare boards, is whether it really is fleas. Bites on their own prove very little, so look for the physical evidence as well.

Evidence That Points to Fleas

• Live insects that jump. Few household pests spring from the carpet to your leg. If you can see it jump, fleas are the prime suspect.
• Flea dirt that smears red. Dab black specks with a damp tissue; a reddish stain means dried blood.
• Bites low down. Ankles, shins and sometimes the backs of the knees.
• A pet that scratches. Although some households with fleas have no animal at all.

Evidence That Points Elsewhere

Bites that appear mostly on the upper body, arms and face, or that seem to arrive overnight in bed, deserve a different question. Other biting insects exist, and some can be found in mattresses and furniture rather than flooring. If you have bites but cannot find a single insect or any dirt after a careful search, do not assume fleas and spend money on the wrong treatment. A pest inspection and survey at £120 fixed cost names the pest and the extent first.

Victorian Terraces and Floor Gaps

Many properties in Ely are older terraces where carpets run over original boards. Gaps between boards and under skirting give flea larvae places to shelter away from the light, which is where they like to be. When we assess a room we look at the edges and the cracks as well as the visible pile. If the carpet has been lifted in the past, check underneath at the corners.

No Pet, Still Fleas

People are often surprised that fleas can establish without a dog or cat. A previous occupant's animal, a visitor's pet or wildlife nesting in the roof space can all be behind it. When fleas appear in a home with no animals, the source is as important as the carpet, because treating the floor while a nesting animal carries on above it only deals with the symptom.

If It Is Fleas

Vacuum before we arrive and put the contents in a sealed bag outside. Keep walking through the rooms afterwards, but do not vacuum or wash the carpet for at least two weeks, as that lifts the treatment out. Our flea control in Ely starts at £220 for the first room, £60 for each extra room, with the price agreed first; see the cost guide for the detail. A free return visit is included if the problem is still there after 14 days.

In Ely, the older terraces close to the cathedral and the river often have carpet laid over very old boards, and some have been through many occupants. If you have just bought or rented one, it is quite reasonable to suspect the floor of having a history.

Call 01223 902388 or send a WhatsApp message with what you have found, and we will say honestly whether it sounds like fleas.