How to Get Rid of Fleas
by Daniel Lamb | July 24, 2020 | Blog
Fleas In Your Home
Fleas are parasitic insects that most commonly are a problem for your pets. However, these blood-sucking creatures can bite humans and become a problem in your home. Flea bites cause itching and swelling around the bite site and typically are found around ankles and on the lower portion of the legs.
Fleas commonly come in on pets, but can also hitch a ride on anyone who has been petting or handling any animal that has fleas. Infestations have also been known to occur if a wild animal like a raccoon decides to inhabit your crawl space or attic.
Fleas flourish in environments with warm temperatures and high humidity, however they don’t like direct sunlight. Adult female fleas can lay between 20 and 30 eggs per day, so a not-so-bad flea problem can become a full-blown infestation quickly. Read on to find out how to get rid of fleas in your home.
Signs Of A Flea Infestation
Flea infestations are marked by signs of the fleas themselves as well as markings that can be detected if you know what to look for. Fleas in your carpet will look like tiny black or dark specks that disappear quickly. You might find fleas anywhere your pets sleep and spend a lot of time. Fleas leave behind visible signs of an infestation in the form of dried blood and feces. You might see these on any pet bedding, on lighter colored rugs and anywhere your pet sleeps. They might look like black pepper flecks. Because flea larvae feed on this waste, it is important to get rid of it by thoroughly vacuuming the area as well as the rest of your house.
Figure Out How Fleas Are Getting Inside
The first step to getting rid of fleas in your house is to figure out how they got there in the first place. If your pets are carrying fleas in from outside, it doesn’t matter how well you treat your home, your problem will never be totally under control until your pets’ flea problems are under control. Consult your veterinarian for the best and safest pet flea control treatments for your area as each region has different species of flea that requires different treatments.
Clean And Vacuum
Since fleas don’t actually live on your pet, but rather in the areas around your pet, cleaning your home and putting away any clutter that fleas can hide in is another important first step. Vacuum carpets thoroughly, clean inside closets and under beds and any other furniture. Wash any pet bedding with hot, soapy water to kill fleas as well as their eggs and larvae. Continue to wash pet bedding every week until the infestation is eradicated. If you have a particularly large flea infestation, destroy and get rid of any pet bedding.
Thoroughly vacuum your home. Make sure to vacuum all carpeted floors, as well as hardwood and linoleum, paying special attention to corners, baseboards and door jambs where fleas tend to burrow. Vacuum any upholstered furniture as well. Empty your vacuum bag outside the home and seal it tightly. You might want to steam clean your vacuum as well.
Call A Pest Care Professional
Your best bet when trying to eradicate any flea infestation is to call a knowledgable pest care professional who will be able to tell definitively if you have a flea problem or if it is something else as well as where your flea problem originates. Don’t hesitate to call Pest Control Experts for a free quote for a home inspection. Let us take care of your flea problem so you and your pets can be happy and pest-free!
