Fleas

What do fleas look like?

Fleas are tiny pests that are about the size of a pinhead. They have flat bodies that are reddish-brown. Fleas have a pair of antennae and six legs. Their legs are extremely powerful, which allows them to jump many times their body length. On average, fleas can jump about eight inches with one hop.

Adult fleas have tiny bristles on their bodies and legs that allow them to move easily through fur, hair, and feathers. This is important because they are parasites, so they spend a lot of time on warm-blooded hosts.

What do fleas eat?

Fleas are parasites that feed on blood. They require the blood of warm-blooded animals to survive and will feed on various creatures, including dogs, cats, birds, mice, raccoons, and skunks. Unfortunately, they also feed on humans.

Where do fleas live?

Because they are parasites, fleas live on or near hosts that can provide them with food. In the wild, fleas can be found on various warm-blooded animals. If these animals come onto your property and the fleas hop off their host, these parasitic pests will soon begin looking for a new host.

Fleas may get onto your pets or kids as they walk around your yard. They will then be brought inside on your child’s clothing or your pet’s fur. Once indoors, fleas can be found in various locations, including beds, pet beds, carpets, and upholstered furniture.

Are fleas dangerous?

Fleas are a danger to both humans and pets. They bite their hosts to get the blood they need to survive, which leaves the host covered in itchy, red bumps. Flea bites look similar to mosquito bites, but they are usually smaller and found in groups. Flea bites are most often found on extremities, like the ankles, or in the warm folds of skin, such as the underarms.

If they were just a nuisance, fleas wouldn’t be too much of a problem for The Woodlands’ homeowners, but they can spread diseases through their bites, which makes them dangerous. Although rare, fleas have been known to spread murine typhus and bubonic plague through their bites. They can also spread tapeworms to pets and small children.

Some people are sensitive to the detritus fleas leave behind and can have allergic reactions to them. If pets have an allergic reaction to fleas, they can also get dermatitis. A severe flea infestation can also cause anemia.

Do I need to be worried if I find one flea in my house?

Unfortunately, if you find one flea in your house, there are more you haven’t seen yet. Fleas breed rapidly; their small size allows them to go unnoticed until an infestation is sizable.

Once they begin to reproduce in your house, you don’t only have to be concerned about the adult fleas but also the eggs, larvae, and pupa. Eggs are often laid deep in carpet fibers that a vacuum can’t get. Furthermore, in the span of its life, which is approximately 100 days, a female flea can lay up to 2000 eggs. It is easy for a flea infestation to grow out of control quickly.

How can I get rid of fleas?

For assistance eliminating fleas on your property, contact Marathon Pest Control at the first sign of a problem. Serving The Woodlands and surrounding areas, our pest control team has the experience and expertise to exterminate fleas and other pests that try to take over.

How can I prevent fleas?

You do not want a flea infestation in your house. Even if you don’t have pets, fleas can get into your home by riding in on a person or an item or by coming inside on their own from your yard. How can you prevent fleas in your house and yard? Most flea prevention recommendations involve keeping wildlife out of your yard. Try these flea prevention tips:

• If you have pets, ensure they stay up-to-date with their flea treatments.
• Keep your grass trimmed.
• Remove debris from your property, such as leaf litter and fallen branches.
• Cut back foliage around the perimeter of your house.
• Store garbage bins away from your house.
• Remove all outdoor food sources, such as pet food and bird seed.
• Eliminate areas of standing water and ensure your property has good drainage to reduce moisture.
• Clean bedding and pet bedding regularly on a hot water cycle.
• Vacuum frequently.

If you see any signs of a flea infestation, you won’t be able to get it under control with just the tips above. Those prevention methods do not remove flea eggs, so even if you eliminate the adult fleas in your house, the problem will return. Instead, you need professional flea control from Marathon Pest Control. We will take care of your flea problem.