Are you more of an outdoor or an indoor pet type of person? If you enjoy the shelter of your home and cozying up next to the tv over a long hike in the woods, you probably prefer your furry friends to stay indoors. If nothing revitalizes you more than a walk in the crisp air of fall, then chances are you lean towards letting your pets enjoy nature as much as possible. Maybe you are the type of person that doesn’t like pets at all and prefers human company over that of a furry, slimy, or slick animal companion. Regardless of where you stand, we have some bad news for you today. Fleas want to be in your Modesto home, pets, or no pets. To help you fight back against these dangerous parasitic pests, here is everything you need to know.
How Common Are Fleas?
Although any home can get fleas, some homes are more susceptible to infestation than others. If you do not have any pets and your home’s exterior is properly sealed, the chances of your home having trouble with fleas are relatively low. Owning a pet raises your chances, and letting your pet wander in and out of your home brings them up even more. One thing you should know is that fleas get inside in more ways than just on pets. Rodents often carry them inside when they invade. Fleas hide in used furniture and other items to sneak their way into your home. Some fleas invade homes without help from an item or host.
Signs Of A Flea Infestation
Fleas themselves are difficult to spot with the naked eye. If they are not hiding beneath the fur of an animal, then they are hiding inside a carpet, crack, or crevice. The best way to identify fleas is by the signs they leave around homes and on pets/humans. Our experts recommend keeping your eye out of these signs:
Pets over itching or biting at their fur
Suspicious bites on your skin after sleeping
Tiny, black, insects inside the fur of your pet (if they jump, they are even more likely to be fleas)
Live fleas crawling or hopping on your drapery, furniture, or carpet
Are Fleas Serious?
At first glance, fleas do not seem dangerous. Sure they bite, but what’s the harm in that? Turns out, biting and drawing blood from humans and animals is extremely dangerous. When fleas pierce the skin and draw blood, they open a chance for bacteria, pathogens, and parasites to enter into your bloodstream. If you did not know it, fleas are known for carrying several sickness vectors, including bubonic plague, murine typhus, tularemia, and tungiasis.
Prevention Tips For Fleas
If you hate the idea of dealing with fleas inside your home, we have a few suggestions you have to try. Here is everything our experts say you need to know about flea prevention:
Keep your grass cut short and your landscaping well-maintained
Install a fence around your yard and garden
Trim back tree branches and bushes at least 5 feet from your home’s exterior
Use a caulking gun and some steel or copper wool to fill in gaps, cracks, and openings in your home’s exterior
Make sure your weather-stripping, door sweeps, and window/door screens are in good working condition
Check chimney caps and vent covers to make sure they are not damaged
Vacuum your carpets regularly, and keep your home clean
Make sure your pets have a form of flea and tick prevention. Consult with your veterinarian to find an option that will work best for your furry friend.
For more help preventing fleas, or to have an existing infestation removed from your Modesto home, let the professionals at Insect IQ, Inc help. Our team of expert pest management specialists has everything your home needs to acquire and maintain a pest-free* environment. Reach out to us today at Insect IQ, Inc, to find out more about our top-tier services and to schedule an appointment to have your Modesto home and property treated for fleas.
