Fleas
What are fleas?
Fleas are parasitic pests that feed on the blood of both mammals and birds. They live primarily outdoors in the grass and fields or woods, hiding in yard debris, dirt, grass, weeds, and bushes, waiting for wildlife to pass by so they can latch onto them. Here are some basic flea identifiers to get you started:
- About 1/8 of an inch long
- Biting mouthparts used to pierce the skin of their hosts
- A dark reddish-brown color
- Powerful jumping legs that allow them to travel from place to place
- Three pairs of legs
The scary thing is that fleas can be attached to their hosts for very long periods before being detected. If you’re wondering how these tiny parasites even got inside your San Mateo property, to begin with, read on.
Are fleas dangerous?
Fleas are dangerous pests. As parasites, these pests can transmit diseases to their hosts. Fleas can spread plague, typhus, heartworm, and cat-scratch fever, and ticks can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and many more.
A flea bite can also lead to secondary infection due to excessive scratching.
Why do I have a flea problem?
There are many different ways fleas find their way to our properties. While pet owners are probably the most susceptible to experiencing a flea infestation, there are many other ways these parasites get onto your property. That means pet owners aren’t the only ones at risk. Fleas prefer hosts with hair and fur, so it makes sense why they’re often brought onto your property by different nuisance pests like wildlife, rodents, and birds. Once indoors, fleas find harborage in bedding, furniture, cushions, dog beds, carpets, upholstery, curtains, and small cracks in the floor.
Where will I find fleas?
Although fleas live on their host, adults and eggs can fall off. Outside, they can survive for some time in damp and shaded areas such as leaf litter and tall grass. Unfortunately, they can also stay in your home, living between floorboards, in carpets, and other similar places.
How do I get rid of fleas?
Whether you are dealing with fleas, ticks, or both, we can help you at Pacific Pest Management. We offer several different services to help keep these pests away, including our general residential services and commercial pest services.
You can learn everything you need to know about all our pest control programs by contacting our trained and knowledgeable team at Pacific Pest Management.
How can I prevent fleas in the future?
The best thing you can do to protect yourself from a flea infestation is to be proactive in your prevention efforts. Here are some flea control steps to keep in mind:
- Apply veterinarian-prescribed flea products to your pets.
- Clear away yard debris and keep lawn and vegetation well-trimmed.
- Clear clutter and vacuum carpets, floors, furniture, and crevices where fleas can easily hide.
- Frequently vacuum, paying close attention to spaces where pets hang out.
- Hose down your yard and other places frequented by pets.
- If you have pets, treat them with a flea bath or flea spray.
- Inspect visiting pets before bringing them into your home.
- Maintain a clean home in general, as proper sanitation is key when it comes to flea prevention.
- Periodically, use a flea comb on your pets.
- Place flea traps on the floor to monitor flea activity within your home.
- Steam clean the carpet, curtains, and upholstered furniture.
- Use outdoor flea repellent on the exterior of your home to reduce your chances of an infestation.
- Vacuum eggs and larvae and properly dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed trash can.
- Wash and dry all bedding, linens, laundry, and upholstery that has come in contact with your pets.
If you suspect flea activity around your property, reach out to the professionals at Pacific Pest Management today. We’re here to protect your home, your pets, and your loved ones from the dangers of a flea infestation.