Welcome to the ultimate guide to flea control in Kittitas County. You may think that fleas only affect pets, but that’s just not the case.
Yes, fleas represent a serious problem for pets, particularly pets with other health problems, but fleas will head for humans if they’re not getting what they need elsewhere.
There’s a lot to talk about fleas, so we’ve done our best to compile information on the key points of flea behavior, flea prevention, and, of course, flea control. Read the entire article to improve your flea control IQ, and bookmark this page for future reference. Prosite is standing by to keep your home flea-free.
Ready to start? Here are the flea fundamentals.
Understanding The Habits Of Fleas: Key To Effective Control
Knowing your enemy is the key to victory; fortunately, fleas are not complicated creatures. Basically, these are small insects that consume blood from humans and animals to survive. They are also comfortable living among the thick fur of animals, which offers them shelter and protection.
How long can fleas live without a host? Not long, as you might expect. Fleas that aren’t feeding regularly from a host will only live for a couple of weeks at most, while fleas with consistent access to hosts can live for several months.
Also, fleas can jump incredibly high, relative to their height at least; this makes it much easier for them to find new hosts, especially animal hosts. Without a host, they’re more likely to hide in carpeting or on other surfaces that give them some sort of protection.
The Hidden Dangers Of Fleas: Understanding The Hazards
We also want to stress the health risks of having fleas in your home. First, do fleas bite humans? The general answer is yes, but it depends.
Certain fleas can’t actually drink human blood. They specifically need animal blood to survive—also, fleas like to feed on a single host for multiple feeding sessions. Once again, animal fur is much more dense than our body hair, so fleas are more comfortable feeding on animals.
Even so, fleas will try to feed on humans if they don’t have another viable source of food, and yes, fleas can indeed be dangerous. The average flea bite won’t cause any additional problems. It will most likely itch for a bit, then go away.
But fleas can also carry pathogens and spread them when they bite a host. According to the CDC, fleas are capable of spreading a handful of diseases, including plague, flea-borne typhus, and cat scratch disease.
While many other pests can spread diseases, fleas can be especially problematic in this respect because they’re so small and difficult to track. The best way to avoid the health risks of a current flea infestation is to hire professionals (more on that later), and the best way to avoid a future infestation is to engage in active flea prevention measures.
Flea Prevention Goes Beyond Just Your Pets: Tips And Tricks
Flea prevention is the foundation of successful flea control. Prevention consists of simple steps that will reduce the chances of allowing fleas to enter your home. While these tips do involve limiting your pet’s exposure to fleas, these are also tips for keeping your home safe from fleas:
- Reduce the amount of time your pet spends outdoors.
- Give your pet baths on a regular basis.
- Use a comb or brush to check for fleas on your pet.
- Regularly sweep floors and vacuum rugs and carpets.
- Wash linens often, including for pet beds and carriers.
It’s rare for fleas to enter homes without being attached to a host, so focusing on keeping them out is the ideal way to avoid flea infestations. However, if you notice fleas on your pets or in your home, quickly acting can mitigate the problem.
Professional Flea Control: A Smart And Effective Solution
The best way to get rid of fleas is to partner with a pest control provider in your area. Keep in mind that not all pest control companies offer services for every type of pest. Just ask whether the company provides flea control or check their website to be sure.
While fleas are a challenging pest problem for the layperson, they’re no issue for the professionals, who can use specialized equipment and tried-and-true strategies to resolve your flea problem efficiently.
For flea control near you, get in touch with Prosite by phone or through our website today.