Did you know that there are more than one species of flea? When you think about these nasty pests, it’s easy to assume that they are all the same, but there are actually around 2,500 different species found throughout the world. However, the fleas that usually invade area homes are cat fleas.
Another misconception about these pests is that they only are a problem for animals. Fleas can also become an issue for people. Even households without pets can have flea infestations. However, while fleas do bite both humans and animals, they don’t hitch rides on human hosts.
Fleas are small, gross, and difficult to remove, and they can also spread pathogens to both people and pets. So, we've provided this guide to help you learn everything you need to know about fleas in Frisco including how to identify and prevent them.
What Do Fleas Look Like?
Fleas are tiny pests that can be difficult to see with the naked eye. However, it’s still useful to know how to identify fleas. They are a reddish-brown color and only get to be about 3 mm long. They aren’t able to fly, and when seen up close or under a microscope, they have longer front legs than back legs
Fleas often just appear as small red or brown dots on animal fur, but they are also often found in carpets even if you don’t own any pets.
How Do Flea Infestations Start?
While fleas can bite you, they don’t latch onto human hosts as ticks can. Instead, they will live on animal hosts. If you have pets, they can bring fleas inside of your home, but wild animals around your property can also lead to flea infestations. Flea infestations can be passed from animal to animal. When not living on a host, fleas outdoors are found in shady areas especially close to long grass and bushes where they wait for an animal to brush past them.
The other main way that fleas get inside is if you bring them in on second-hand furniture and even carpets and rugs. So, it’s a good idea to check any second-hand upholstered items for signs of fleas.
How Can You Prevent Fleas?
Flea infestations can be frustrating to deal with, and they can make life miserable for any pets you might have. Plus, these infestations are difficult to notice and to remove completely. The other concern with fleas is that they can transmit diseases. They are even notorious for spreading the bubonic plague, but they are more likely to spread other diseases including cat scratch fever.
Because of these risks, knowing how to prevent flea infestations is vital, so we’ve put together a list of some of the best preventive measures.
- If you do have pets, work together with your vet to protect your beloved furry companions using items such as flea collars and medications.
- Keep wildlife out of your yard by installing fences and removing bird feeders and outdoor pet food.
- Make your property less appealing to rodents and other pests that carry fleas by regularly cleaning kitchen spaces and cleaning up spills and crumbs immediately.
- Vacuum and declutter regularly.
- Always inspect second-hand items for signs of fleas. Look out for flea dirt.
- Keep your lawn mowed regularly and trim back shrubs and long grasses.
What’s The Best Way To Remove Flea Problems?
If you’re looking to prevent and control flea infestations around your Frisco home, the best way to do so is with assistance from the professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite. You can keep your home and family safe from these disease-filled pests by working in connection with us and your veterinarian.
Find out more about our residential pest control plans, and even get a free estimate, by calling us today.