Fleas are some of the most obnoxious creatures which can infect your house. Usually carried indoors by pets, once fleas have taken up residence it can be a difficult task to get rid of them. If you’re sick of dealing with fleas, taking some time to learn more about them and how to deal with them will be a good use of your time.
How do I identify fleas?
Fleas are small insects that are about ⅛ of an inch long and have a reddish-brown color. Fleas do not have wings, but rely on six powerful legs to jump. Because of their small size and the speed at which they move, fleas are often hard to spot. If you suspect your pet has fleas, it may help you to find them if you wet your pets’ fur and use a flea comb.
How do fleas live?
Fleas rely on blood from warm blooded mammals in order to survive. Fleas bite their victims and feed 10-15 times per day. Hairy animals are the victim of choice for fleas, including cats, dogs, dogs, rabbits, and other household pets. Fleas also live on other pets such as rats and mice. So, if you are having issues with those pests, your problems may be compounded by the additional presence of fleas.
When not attached to a host, fleas will often be found in the blankets or couch cushions of your home. This is because they tend to fall off of their victims where they sleep. Additionally, bed bugs lay eggs on their host, but the eggs will fall wherever the victim spends time, this could be anywhere in your home, including bedding and carpet.
Do fleas spread disease?
Fleas can be a vector for disease transmission. They were once responsible for spreading bubonic plague, which killed millions in Europe during the Middle Ages. That disease is largely nonexistent now, though, and highly unlikely to be spread by fleas. However, other diseases like murine typhus are still spread to humans through fleas. In pets, the flea is known to spread tapeworms and cause severe dermatitis.
How can I keep fleas out of my home?
There are two basic approaches to keeping your home free of fleas. The first is to maintain a clean home by vacuuming regularly and washing bedding. You should also eliminate any rodents which may infest your home. The second approach which should be taken is to call an exterminator, like Bug-A-Way Pest Control, which will treat your home with flea killer in a safe and responsible manner.
If you need assistance in your fight against fleas, at Bug-A-Way Pest Control we’re happy to help. We serve Joplin, Missouri, Pittsburgh, Kansas, and portions of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma in the four-states region. Contact us today for help with all your pest problems.