 Whether you own pets or not, there’s always a chance of an indoor pest problem in your home at any time of year. You might think that fleas are only an issue during the warmest months of the year, but especially in the South these parasites are a year-round problem. If you suspect you have a flea problem at home, you shouldn’t wait around and hope the situation resolves itself — you need to take quick action. Here’s a brief guide to exterminating fleas so you can get rid of these troublesome pests for good.
Detect the Presence of Fleas Are you wondering if you have a flea problem at home? The first thing you should do is jump into detective mode. There are some obvious signs to look for, especially if you have pets. If your dog or cat is scratching like crazy and you hear them whining or groaning, they likely have fleas. You may even see fleas on your short fiber carpets or hardwood floors. If you spot a single insect, there are likely many more, so you need to spring into action to prevent a full-blown infestation from occurring in your home. Don’t hesitate to call an exterminator immediately. Check Your Pets Before Exterminating Fleas If you have fleas on your pets, that means the bugs are inside your home, whether it’s the pests themselves or their eggs or larva. Grab a flea comb, a cup of soapy water and dry paper towels to physically check your pets for fleas. It’s best to use slow, gentle strokes to see if any bugs are getting caught in the comb’s teeth. As you encounter fleas on your pets, drown them in the soapy water and keep combing. You should also invest in a veterinarian-approved flea and tick shampoo. It’s best to keep shampooing pets every week until you’ve eliminated every trace of the parasites from both your pets and your entire house. Clean Your House If you’ve found fleas on your pet or on yourself, they are probably inside your home, too. A deep cleaning can help. Take time to dust wood furniture and thoroughly wipe down all other surfaces. Wash all bedding, throws, curtains and other fabrics. One of the best things you can do to remove fleas and flea eggs from your home is to run the vacuum over your floors, whether hardwood or carpet. Vacuum your floors several times and make sure to use the wand extension to get into cracks and corners where insects could be hiding. Be thorough and vacuum all sliding door tracks and windowsills. Call an Expert at Exterminating FleasIf you detect fleas, whether in your home, on pets or even on your own body, you need to call an exterminator right away. The presence of one flea signals the presence of many more, so extermination is the only option for preventing a full-blown infestation. When it comes to exterminating fleas, Bug Ninja is the name to call. If you want to get rid of pests in a hurry and make sure they don’t come back, contact us today.
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Whether you are a pet owner or simply someone who spotted a miniscule insect in the home, you may be looking for more information about fleas. In this quick guide, you can learn about flea control, flea-related health issues and many other facts. Remember, if you fear you have a flea infestation, the fastest way to take care of your problem is to hire a Baton Rouge pest control specialist  Flea on a person's skin 1. They Look Like Bed Bugs Fleas and bed bugs have a similar appearance. Both are reddish brown and nocturnal, but there are ways to tell the pests apart. Fleas tend to have a short, oval shape as opposed to the longer seed shape of bed bugs. Fleas usually cap out at 3 mm while bed bugs can be as long as 5 mm. Both insects are also nocturnal, but fleas tend to hang around pets. 2. They Can Lead to Health Issues Both pets and humans may suffer from health issues due to fleas. Not everyone will have the same problems, but the health issues could include:
Fleas can lead to an uncomfortable feeling for many, but sometimes the issue can be even worse. Because these pests can be detrimental to health, you typically want to call in a Baton Rouge pest control team as soon as you spot the little bugs.  Dog with fleas 3. They Can Be Easily Transported
Just as the fleas transport certain parasites and bacteria, they can also be transported. If you have indoor-only pets, you may think that they are immune to flea infestation. However, no matter what stage a flea is at, it can be transported on shoes, pant legs, bags and other items. You could even carry a flea in without realizing it and introduce it to your beloved house pets. One reason fleas have such an easy time getting transported from one place to the next is because of their amazing jumping skills. These tiny insects can make jumps more than 150 times their body length. This allows them to launch themselves on passing animals and humans for a quick meal, egg-laying spot and ride. 4. They Can Mature at Different Speeds The typical life cycle of a flea includes four different stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. In ideal situations, a flea can transition through these four stages in as little as 21 days. However, in tougher environments, fleas can bide their time in certain stages. Eggs, for example, may not hatch until in a space ideal for a larva to thrive. Because of these differing mature speeds, getting rid of the insects without the help of a knowledgeable pest control expert may be challenging. 5. They Can Survive in Hostile Conditions Even if you remove a flea's food source, these pests may still be able to survive for amazing lengths of time. As a pupa, fleas can go up to a year without eating. Once they reach their adult stage, they can go one or two weeks between meals. If food is scarce, fleas are not afraid to feed off of you rather than your pets. You and your Baton Rouge pest control team have to do more than eliminate food to get rid of fleas. 6. Infestations Can Happen Quickly It does not take long for a single flea to turn in to hundreds. One female can lay anywhere from 20 to 50 eggs each day. Some of those eggs will grow into more females who help speed up the infestation. One day you may have an unnoticeable problem, and the next day you may see fleas jumping from your carpet as you walk past. It is never to late to get some help from a Baton Rouge pest control company. 7. You Have To Treat Your Whole Home When trying to get rid of fleas, you cannot simply treat your pet. Eggs, larva and pupa could thrive in almost any warm, moist environment. A pest control expert may be able to help you clean up your house, clothes and car. As you treat your house, try the following:
If you simply treat your pets, the infestation can keep spreading as eggs, larva and pupae mature and start looking for food. 8. Their Bites Resemble Mosquito Bites If you've been bitten by a flea, you may notice a cluster of mosquito-like bites. The bites usually become swollen within an hour after the initial puncture. The itch usually happens almost immediately after the bite. The red dots will have a darker red center from the puncture left by the insect's mouth. In some cases, the red bump will become an open sore a day or two after the initial bite. Fleas can be a major problem in your home. Getting help from a Baton Rouge pest control company that specializes in flea control may help you eliminate the bugs quickly. |
AuthorI really enjoy researching and writing about pests. The more we know about bugs, the easier it becomes to control them. 
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