If you own pets, you’ve probably dealt with fleas. These pests aren’t just a problem for cats and dogs; fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, usually a warm-blooded animal, which can include humans, meaning you are also susceptible to flea bites.
There are over 2,500 species of flea in the world. Of these, the one you are most likely to encounter in your home is the cat flea. Cat fleas prefer dogs, cats, or humans as a host, but can also be found on other outdoor mammals.
Fleas aren’t just a nuisance. They can be dangerous. Flea bites leave small red bumps that can lead to excessive scratching, hair loss, and transmit diseases including the bubonic plague.
How An Infestation Begins
Though fleas are small, they are easy to spot in their adult stage. Seeing fleas in your home or on your pets is the number one sign of a flea infestation. You may also notice your pet scratching more or biting at their skin or find small red bumps on your skin.
Flea infestations begin when fleas make it into your home on a host. In most cases, this host is a family pet who picked up fleas while they were outside. Pets usually pick up these fleas when they are in natural areas like forests or tall grass. Fleas can also be transferred to your pets from nuisance wildlife in your backyard. Animals like raccoons, skunks, and opossums carry fleas, and if they make their way into your yard, the fleas come with them. This leaves you and your pets at risk to pick up fleas anytime you go outside.
An infestation can spread quickly. Fleas live for about 100 days, and in that time, they can produce up to 2,000 offspring. Once they make it inside, they hide in areas where they can be hard to see, making it difficult to eliminate a flea problem.
Tips To Stay Flea-Free
The best way to avoid a flea problem in your Modesto home is to prevent it from occurring. Here are some tips for keeping your home and yard flea-free:
Keep your lawn groomed. This will keep any rodents or other animals that may spread fleas away.
Keep your pets leashed outside to keep them away from areas where fleas may live.
Bathe and groom your pets regularly.
Use a vet recommended flea treatment on your animals.
Clean and vacuum your home regularly.
Wash your bed sheets and your pet’s bedding frequently.
Following these tips can help keep you and your pets free from fleas.
Call The Professionals
If you see signs of a flea infestation around your home, call us immediately. Our trained exterminators will use our proven three-step treatment plan to eliminate fleas. We’ll inspect for signs of fleas around your home and property, and based on the results of the inspection, we’ll develop a treatment plan specifically designed for your home. We will also work with you to take steps to ensure that fleas don’t become a problem again in the future.
Aside from direct treatment of an infestation, we can help an infestation from ever starting. Our residential and commercial pest control plans are designed to prevent fleas and other pests from making their way into your home or business. We can also provide rodent exclusion and removal services to keep away the nuisance wildlife that spreads fleas to your property.
Whatever your flea control needs, we have the tools and experience to handle it. Whether you are dealing with an active infestation or want to put a plan in place to make sure your home remains pest-free*, call us today.
