Flea infestations are a surprisingly common problem in offices. Even though the office environment contains no animals, employees who have pets at home can bring fleas into the office on their clothes. Once the fleas arrive, they lay eggs in padded chairs and carpets, leading to an infestation that is difficult to beat. These tips can help you tackle office fleas to make the workplace a less scratchy and more productive space.
1. Vacuum Regularly
Regular vacuuming can help to keep flea populations under control. Vacuum cleaners suck up adult fleas, removing them from the office environment.
To get rid of fleas, ask your office cleaners to vacuum not only the carpets but also the padded chairs that people sit on to work. Request that they empty the vacuum cleaner into an outside bin after they finish using it to ensure the fleas do not return.
2. Apply Insecticide
Once your office cleaners have removed the adult fleas, it is time to kill the eggs to prevent a new infestation. You can use an insecticide that is designed to tackle fleas. This substance is harmful to human skin and eyes, so it is best to wait until the office is closed for the weekend to begin the treatment.
Apply the insecticide to all surfaces in the office. It is particularly important to treat the edges of the carpet, where the floor meets the wall, because fleas like to hide their eggs there. Before employees return on Monday morning, open windows to get rid of any harmful fumes released by the insecticide product.
3. Treat the Source of the Fleas
If you do not work out how fleas are getting into your office, the infestation will keep coming back. Ask all your employees to check their pets and homes for fleas. Once you have worked out which employee started the flea problem, support them to eliminate the infestation in their own home. They will need to carry out the same steps that you have taken to remove fleas from the office, as well as washing their bedding and clothes at a high temperature. Consider giving affected employees time off work to give them a chance to solve the problem.
4. Call in the Professionals
Getting rid of fleas can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. It is often worth investing in professional flea removal. A flea control service like Stewarts Pest Control can treat your office to remove fleas and provide advice on getting rid of the problem for good.