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More than five million homes in the UK are at risk of flea infestation due to dirty homes, new research reveals.
A new study has revealed that millions of British homes are at risk of a flea infestation because over a third of pet owners have never treated their home for fleas and other common pests.
Worryingly, almost a quarter of pet owners don't regularly clean their home despite as many as eight in ten describing themselves as house proud.
The research of 2,000 dog and cat owners found, even when their animals have suffered from an outbreak of fleas, a quarter of respondents took no steps at all to rid their homes of a possible infestation.
The study was commissioned by Bob Martin, the UK's leading brand name for pet healthcare who teamed up with Aggie Mackenzie to identify the most likely breeding grounds for infestations with under the sofa, in between cushions and at the corners of carpets top hotspots.
And despite fleas, ticks and worms being a health risk to humans, around half of respondents said their cats and dogs typically sleep in their bedroom with them, while 15 per cent of owners said their pets will sleep in their child’s bedroom.
Aggie MacKenzie, TV’s cleaning expert, said: "These figures are pretty shocking and the people of Britain should be ashamed of themselves!
"It's no good your home just looking tidy, you have to get stuck in and give it a proper clean, particularly if you have pets.
"Your favourite animal can carry all sorts of germs and grime in from outdoors, as well as fleas and ticks.
"That’s why regular cleaning and flea treatment is of the utmost importance for a hygienic and healthy home environment for both you and your pets."
Over a third of people said they have had fleas in their homes, but over a quarter have no idea whether their house or pets have ever had fleas or not.
Fleas thrive in warmer weather and while the research revealed that two thirds of those polled believe they would know what do if there was a flea infestation, less than half (42%) treated their home for fleas when their pet had them.
In fact, 95 per cent of fleas do not live on animals, but in wood floor crevices, carpets and soft furnishings in the home and they can remain living in the cracks for up to two years.
The kitchen, living room and main bedroom are where British pets spend most of their time revealed the Bob Martin research, but on average pet owners only wash the kitchen floor every two weeks and change bedding every other week.
Almost half of respondents wash their pet's bedding once a month or less, a quarter (27%) will never wash or change their sofa covers, and one in five (22%) admit they never change their rugs or mats – all breeding grounds for fleas and larvae.
Top flea hotspots:
Fleas prefer dark areas where dirt and debris gather
Under the sofa
In between sofa cushions
Floor board crevices
Skirting boards
The edges/corners of carpet
Curtains
Rugs
Pet’s bedding
In the last 12 months, one in five pet owners have had fleas showed the research, leaving them feeling annoyed (52%), itchy (40%), and embarrassed (34%).
Perhaps most concerning, over a quarter said they have never used a home flea treatment to tackle fleas, six in 10 people will only treat their pets if their animal appears to be scratching more often than normal and one in four only treat when they notice flea bites on themselves or their family.
Almost half of those surveyed are not aware of the risk to themselves as well as their pet with tapeworm, plague bacteria and typhus potentially carried by fleas.
Georgina Martin, CEO of Bob Martin said: "With the warmer weather approaching, it’s key that pet owners are aware of the importance of a clean home.
"Whilst all pets experience fleas at some point in their lives, prevention is the best approach and if your pet does have fleas, you should always treat your home at the same time as your pet.
"If you don’t tackle this immediately, it may become a bigger problem, causing a lot of irritation for both the pet and the owner.
"As leaders in this category, we have a duty to provide the correct products and information to help minimise the chance of infestation in the home and on pets, which is why we have enlisted the help of the Queen of Clean – Aggie MacKenzie – to spread this message."
The Bob Martin Clear range offers a full range of treatments including flea collars, combs, tablets and spot-ons for the pet as well as a full range, including sprays, powders and foggers, designed for the home.
Top Flea Facts
The majority of pet owners surveyed did not know:
Fleas can lay eggs anywhere in the home
Fleas like temperatures over 20 degrees
Fleas do suggest a dirty home as fleas feed on dirt and debris
Fleas like the cracks in between wooden floors, skirting boards and under furniture where dirt and debris gathers
Fleas can live in pets’ bedding
Cat fleas are more common than dog fleas, but dogs can have cat fleas
Fleas can carry diseases
Young animals are at risk of anaemia from a flea infestation
Pet owners become less responsive to flea bites so may not realise their house is infested
For more information, go to: www.bobmartinclear.com
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