Once fleas find a way into your home or business, it’s undoubtedly an unwanted situation. What many may assume as a reaction to an allergy, might be a flea infestation. Your pets are not the only attractive target for fleas. Learn how to keep your family, guests, and pets safe from this invasive pest.

How Do Fleas Enter Your Home

Fleas attach themselves to your pets when they venture outside, and humans can be a carrier because of their proximity to them. You may notice a dark speck on your carpet, bedsheets, or upholstery that disappears when anyone approaches it. That is likely a flea.

Fleas are reddish-brown and 1/8″ of an inch long, wingless insects with laterally compressed bodies. They have stout spines on the lower cheek border with piercing-sucking protrusions to draw blood as meals from their hosts.

These pests are challenging to see with the naked eye, but they have flattened bodies and long claws on their legs, allowing them to travel easily between hair shafts. The flea also has spines on its mouth, legs, and back to help prevent it from being groomed off.

Signs of a Flea Infestation

If you have a flea infestation in your home the problem can quickly become serious. Fleas are more than just pests; they can cause health problems for both humans and pets. If you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to consult with a veterinarian or pest control professional.

You may notice small bites on your body. Fleas will bite humans as they are attracted to carbon dioxide all warm-blooded mammals breathe out. The bites may take a week or longer to heal. You may also notice small red spots on your body that are very itchy and can turn into welts if scratched.

Your pets are likely to show signs of fleas first. If you notice your pet scratching excessively or seem to be biting at their skin a lot, check for fleas. You may also see flea dirt, which looks like small black specks on your pet’s fur. This is actually the dried blood of animals that the fleas have fed on.

Fleas attach themselves to our pets as they run, play, and roll about on the grass outside. Once they find their way indoors, they cling to wherever your pet ventures, including carpets and rugs, cushioned upholstered furniture, their sleeping area, and even your bedding. You may see small bugs hopping on your drapes or carpet. They are very small, but fleas can jump up to 8 inches vertically, allowing them to quickly move from one surface to another. Therefore, if one pet is infected, fleas can quickly move to other pets and surfaces.

What To Do After You Confirm You Have Fleas

In a short time, fleas can take over your home or business, which you can knowingly spread to another location. Take your dog or cat to the vet for treatment if you spot the signs of fleas on your pets, including excessive scratching, licking, loss of hair, scabby or abnormal red patches, or what looks like infected areas. Over-the-counter treatment can only do so much, and it’s not practical if you misdiagnose the issue.

If you have fleas in your residential or commercial property, vacuuming can help to reduce the problem. Look for your pet’s favorite places to lay or spend time. Vacuuming is essential for lowering flea populations indoors, but it will not solve the problem entirely.

You won’t be able to get rid of all the fleas in your home with store-bought sprays and foggers once they’ve infested areas like carpeting. A licensed pest control professional treats areas in your home and within your outdoor living space. Lawn treatment is one of the best ways to keep fleas and ticks away from your home. A lawn treatment helps eliminate fleas and ticks before they enter your home. Doing so reduces the likelihood of your home being a reinfestation.

Discover Thorough Oahu Fleas Control From Sandwich Isle

The best defense against flea infestations is professional pest control. For over 50 years, Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions has utilized a state-of-the-art training center to thoroughly train our team resulting in exceptional service to customers throughout the area.
There are plenty of over-the-counter remedies for fleas, but they won’t stop the problem. Once you realize you may have a flea issue, the infestation has started. Turning to a professional pest control company is your best defense. Don’t let fleas overtake your residential or commercial property. Reach out to Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions control today for an appointment.