Fleas are not a pest that you want to take on yourself. While over-the-counter flea control products can be safe to use, they commonly provide lackluster results. The only way to get rid of a flea infestation for good is to hire your local Sacramento pest control experts at Earthwise Pest Management. We can safely and effectively eradicate your flea infestation.
Read on to learn more about flea control, and if you are in need of professional pest control services, contact our team today.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are small parasites that feed on the blood of mammals. You most often find these creatures feeding on your dog or cat. Fleas live in the fur of your pets and use their mouths to latch on to consume their blood.
Adult fleas are approximately 2.5mm in length. The type that is most common in homes is a shiny reddish-brown color. Fleas don’t have wings, but they do have strong back legs that allow them to jump. These small parasitic creatures usually live on dogs, cats, or rodents depending upon the species and feed off of their host, who will have small red spots on their skin from the flea bites causing them to scratch uncontrollably.
How Do You Know if You Have Fleas in Your Home?
Your dog or cat scratching is a tell-tale sign of having fleas in your home. And, while itchy skin can be caused by a number of different conditions, fleas usually leave behind red dots where they have bitten the animal. You may also notice flea feces, better known as flea dirt, in your pet’s fur. These little specs often have a red hue to them due to the flea’s diet.
Inspecting your pet is the best way to determine if you have fleas in your home. Give your pup a belly rub, and you’ll be able to inspect their stomach where there is slightly less fur to get in the way. If you notice red bumps from bites, flea dirt, or fleas, your suspicions will be confirmed.
How Do You Get Rid of Fleas?
Fleas can be difficult to get rid of. They grow in four stages: the egg, larva, pupa, and adult form. In order to completely rid your home of fleas, you must kill the flea in every single stage. If just one female is left, she can lay up to 27 eggs a day, and about 2,000 in her lifetime, making it quite easy for another infestation to start.
If it is discovered that you have fleas in your home, you must treat your pet and your home. The most common way of doing this is to remove your pet from the home while you treat them with a flea bath and medication provided to you from your veterinarian, and at the same time have a pest control company come to your home to eradicate the infestation in your house.
The Sacramento Pest Control Experts
Let the Sacramento pest control experts handle flea control in your home. Contact us today and you’ll be enjoying a flea-free home again in no time.