Alexandra Shulman, the former editor of British Vogue, said her London home was overtaken by fleas while she and her family were away on holiday, leaving her son covered in bites and costing the family hundreds of pounds to treat.
Shulman said the first sign of a problem was a text from her son, Sam, who had temporarily moved back into the family house while they were in Greece and described the place as "a nightmare." She initially thought he was being overdramatic until he sent a photograph of his leg showing numerous red marks, which made clear the house had been infested while they were away.
Shulman traced the infestation to the death of the family cat, Coco, who died on the second day of the family’s 11‑day break, and said she had noticed small black spots where the cat had been sleeping but ignored them at the time. She wrote that the oversight proved costly: nearly every room in the house, with the exception of the couple’s bedroom, was affected and Sam discovered fleas jumping onto his legs when he walked around wearing white socks to make them easier to spot. Sam told his mother, "this is not my first rodeo," when he used the socks to check for the pests.
Initial attempts to control the infestation included over‑the‑counter flea spray and repeated vacuuming, Shulman said, but as the bites increased the family sought professional help. She said she called several pest‑control companies and ultimately spent several hundred pounds on treatments; she also said the house remains contaminated with toxins from the eradication efforts.
Shulman characterized the situation as a heartbreaking mistake that stemmed from the timing of Coco’s death and the unnoticed signs left behind. Her account highlights how quickly a domestic pest problem can escalate and the expense that can follow when professional intervention is required.
The episode was recounted by Shulman as a personal anecdote, and she described both the emotional impact of losing a pet while on holiday and the practical fallout when an infestation went unchecked. The case illustrates the challenges homeowners can face when dealing with household pests and the difficult trade‑offs they sometimes confront between immediate remedies and the use of strong chemical treatments.
Shulman’s report comes as a reminder to pet owners and those who care for animals that signs of pests can be subtle and early action may prevent wider spread. She emphasized the toll the incident took on the family’s comfort and finances and said she regretted not attending to the small warning signs sooner.
No additional details about the specific pest treatments used or the long‑term plans for decontamination were provided in Shulman’s account.