Fleas thrive as numbers soar in humid conditions

Fleas thrive as numbers soar in humid conditions    Record heat coupled with wet weather has created the “perfect” environment for fleas to thrive, according to Rentokil.  Calls about the unwanted visitors to the pest controllers shot up in July compared to the previous month and with the same period last year.  Flea inquiries jumped by 415% from June to July.  While sightings of the critters tend to rise in the warmer months, this year’s figures are up 70% on last year and 31% higher than the three-year average.  Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments, which allow them to develop from an egg to a fully-grown adult in just 14 days.  July was the hottest month measured on Earth since records began in 1880, with the UK experiencing its hottest day when the mercury hit 38.7C at Cambridge University Botanic Garden.  The temperatures combined with rain could be contributing to the increase in flea numbers, Rentokil experts believe. Pet owners have been urged to be vigilant