What Are Fleas?
Fleas are a kind of parasite, and they consume the blood of various mammals. One misconception about fleas is that they only infest homes that have pets, but this is not the case.
Almost any home or business can end up with a flea problem, and these parasites can pose health risks for people as well as pets. While fleas may be a more common and obvious issue for pets, they can also create problems for people with their bites leading to secondary infections. They can also trigger allergies and asthma attacks.
Another question many people have about fleas is how to identify them. Most fleas that get into homes are cat fleas, and they are very small at only around 1/12 of an inch in length. Their bodies are thin from side to side to allow them to move easily through fur and hair. They have six legs and a pair of antennae. Their rear legs are much larger and provide them with the strength to jump long distances.
How Do Flea Infestations Start?
Homes with pets are more likely to have flea infestations as fleas often live in their fur. Unlike some other parasitic pests such as ticks, fleas don’t live on human hosts. However, they can still bite people. Their bite marks usually appear in groups of three or four marks, and they are red and itchy with a ring around the center.
Dogs and cats can carry fleas inside, and they often get them from other pets. However, rodents and wildlife can also bring fleas into a property. Mice and rats are common carriers of fleas, and they are also frequent home invaders. Then, there are wildlife species such as raccoons and squirrels that can also bring fleas with them.
Once on your property, fleas can live on furniture and even in carpets. This is particularly problematic as they are hard to notice given their small size, so they can be living in your home for an extended period before they are noticed.
Effective Flea Prevention Tips
While fleas are challenging to remove, there are steps you can take ahead of time to prevent them. These include:
- Working with your vet if you do have pets to ensure your pets are protected year-round from fleas and ticks
- Keeping rodents away from your property by getting lids for trash cans and maintaining clean kitchen spaces
- Deterring wildlife by storing pet food indoors and removing bird feeders
- Cleaning up yard debris such as leaf piles and grass clippings
- Regularly vacuuming, sweeping floors, and washing pet bedding
Get Help With Flea Prevention & Removal
Whether you have pets in your home or not, it’s a good idea to take the time to protect against fleas. The best way to keep your home flea-free is with assistance from BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control Co. We offer ongoing flea prevention and control, so all you need to do is give us a call to get started to learn more about how our residential pest control professionals can help.