When people in Walmer phone us about bites, the first job is detective work, not spraying. Fleas, bed bugs, mosquitoes and bird mites all bite, but they live in completely different places and need completely different treatments. Treat the wrong one and you'll still be scratching a month later. So we start by reading the bites and the house.
Reading the bites
- Around the ankles and lower legs, often in the day: almost always fleas. They jump from the carpet, the lawn or the dog's bed.
- In lines or clusters on arms, neck and shoulders, noticed in the morning: a strong sign of bed bugs, which feed on exposed skin while you sleep.
- Scattered, itchy and only at night, with nothing visible in the bed: worth thinking about bird mites, particularly if birds have been nesting in the roof or gutters.
- Random bites on any exposed skin, with a whine in your ear: mosquitoes, and the source is standing water nearby.
People also react very differently. One person in the house can be covered in bites while another sleeps through untouched, which is normal and doesn't rule anything out.
Bites alone are never proof, because people react differently. That's why we look for the insect, its droppings or its eggs before we treat.
Why Walmer homes see all four
Walmer has a mix of things that suit biting pests. Plenty of households keep dogs and cats on large properties, so fleas have hosts and a big lawn to breed in. Older homes with deep eaves and tiled roofs give pigeons, sparrows and mynas places to nest, and when the chicks leave, their mites go looking for a new meal. The suburb sits close to the airport and has a lot of people coming and going, from business travellers to visitors staying with family, and bed bugs travel in luggage. And big gardens with pools, ponds and blocked gutters give mosquitoes the water they need.
What we do for each one
Fleas
We treat the house and the outdoor areas where pets rest, with a product that deals with adults and with the stages still developing in carpets and soil. The pets need treating by your vet at the same time, or the cycle simply starts again. See our flea treatments for Walmer homes for the full process.
Bed bugs
We inspect mattress seams, bed frames, headboards and furniture near the bed, then treat the affected rooms carefully, usually with a follow-up because eggs hatch after the first visit. There's more on that in dealing with bed bugs in Walmer.
Bird mites
The fix is in the roof, not the bedroom. We find and treat the old nest site, and advise on closing the gap the birds used.
Mosquitoes
We help you find the breeding water and treat the shady places where adults rest during the day. In Walmer gardens the usual culprits are blocked gutters under big trees, a sagging pool cover, ponds without fish and plant saucers on the stoep. Tip out what you can every few days.
The local tip: start with the dog's favourite spot
If you suspect fleas, find where your dogs sleep outside, often a shady patch under a tree, a spot beneath the deck or a cool corner of the stoep. That's usually where flea numbers are highest. Rake it, wash the bedding on a hot cycle and include it in the treatment.
Where people go wrong
Setting off a flea bomb or spraying the bed for bed bugs before anyone has confirmed what's biting. Bombs don't reach the gaps where bed bugs hide and can push them into other rooms. If it turns out to be bird mites, nothing you do in the bedroom will help at all. A quick identification saves money and frustration.
What does it cost?
It depends on what's biting, how many rooms are affected and whether outdoor areas need treatment too. Fleas in a home with treated pets is normally a single visit. Bed bugs in several bedrooms usually need a follow-up. Bird mites depend on how easily we can reach the nest in the roof. Mosquitoes are often a matter of advice more than treatment. We'll tell you what you need and quote for it.
For a deeper look at how these pests feed and breed, see the biting insect guide. We also cover the rest of the city through biting insect control in Port Elizabeth, including nearby Mill Park, and our Walmer pest guide covers everything else. Call 087 012 5550, or WhatsApp us a clear photo of the bites or anything you've caught.
Questions we get asked
How can I tell flea bites from bed bug bites?
Flea bites are usually on the ankles and lower legs, while bed bug bites tend to appear in lines or clusters on the arms, neck and shoulders after sleeping.
We don't have pets. Can we still have fleas?
Yes. Fleas can survive in a house after previous owners' pets have left, and can come in on visiting animals or from wildlife in the garden.
Can birds in the roof really cause bites?
Yes. Bird mites live in nests, and once the chicks leave they move into the house looking for food. They're tiny and easy to miss.
Do I need to throw away my mattress?
Usually not. Most mattresses can be treated, and a mattress encasement helps afterwards. We'll tell you if one is beyond saving.
Will treating the house harm my pets?
Not if instructions are followed. Pets stay off treated areas until they're dry, and their own flea treatment should come from your vet.