How did I get fleas and flea infestation in my home?
Fleas are small and while they cannot fly, they certainly can jump! They are only 2.5 mm in size, brownish/red in color, and smooth enough to finesse their way through dog and cat fur.
The infestation in your home usually comes from your pet. When your pet is outside or exposed to other pets when boarding or at a dog park, the fleas attach to them. Once attached, they burrow into the fur to begin feeding almost immediately. Should the fleas jump off your pet and onto carpet or furniture, they will soon begin to look for other food sources such as other pets or people.
Flea cat’s parasite close-up macro.
How do I know if I have fleas?
Your pet is the best barometer. If you see them scratching, notice patches of irritated skin and possibly hair loss, examine them or bring them to the veterinarian.
In your home and on your pet, the fleas are laying upwards of 45-60 eggs per day. As your pet moves through your home, the eggs fall off and embed in the carpet and upholstery. If your pet jumps onto the furniture or your bed, the fleas will infest that area as well.
Soon, you may notice small red dots on yourself that may be itchy. You may notice on some surfaces little black flecks or flea waste resembling dirt flecks which is actually flea fecal matter.
Do fleas carry disease?
Yes, they do, and flea infestation should be taken seriously. Fleas can carry and transmit several potential illnesses including typhus and plague. Fleas can transmit cat scratch disease among cats who in turn may spread the disease to humans if an open wound is present on the person.
Your pet can get tapeworms from ingesting infested fleas during self-grooming. You should seek professional health care to ensure your pet is flea free and safe from any transmitted diseases from the fleas.
Flea control products are readily available from your veterinarian.
How do I remove fleas from carpet, bedding, and upholstery?
The vacuum is your best friend, as well as some hot water and a washing machine. The first step is to remove the pet from the home and have him/her treated by a professional groomer and/or veterinarian. This insures their safely and health.
Your next call is to a professional pest control service such as Accurate Pest Control. Our technicians are skilled and trained in identifying flea infestation, educating you and your family on the removal of the fleas, and finally treating the area for flea removal.
A follow up visit can be scheduled to inspect for any signs of returning fleas.
Please do not hesitate to call us if you are unsure about a flea infestation. Bringing a treated pert back into the infested home will continue the cycle of infestations.
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