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How To Prevent And Control Fleas In Your Home
9/12/13
Have you noticed your pets scratching excessively or found a live flea (or several) on their bodies? If yes, you are among the many pet owners dealing with flea infestations. But did you know fleas can be more than an annoyance for your pets? That they can also cause medical problems for Fido or Fluffy? It’s true, there are many problems associated with these biting pests including anemia, flea allergy dermatitis, hair loss, tapeworms and could even result in death. Flea bites can also prove irritating for people as those itchy bites may cause skin irritation, they may also pass on mites and have been linked to the bubonic plague and murine typhus.
As previously mentioned, pets scratching are a sign of a flea problem. Other signs of a flea infestation in your home include:
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You notice bites on your skin (you probably won’t actually see a flea on you as they move quickly). Areas especially prone to flea bites include ankles and legs.
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Flea droppings on your pet that look like black specks. They are often mistaken for dirt.
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You pick up fleas on your feet when walking across floors and carpets. This is most noticeable when wearing white socks.
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Pet bedding may contain flea droppings, both live and dead fleas, as well as flea eggs (they look like white specks).
If you’ve identified these pests in your home, you are probably wondering how to get rid of fleas. First off, you must consult your veterinarian. They can help you select a treatment for your pet to help kill any fleas or flea eggs already attached and to help prevent them from bringing more fleas inside. Next, you need to treat your home. Start by vacuuming the house thoroughly from top to bottom and especially areas where your pets tend to hang out. You should also be washing all pet bedding (yours too if pets sleep with you), on a regular basis. You will probably have the urge to run to the hardware store for a DIY flea treatment (i.e. flea bombs or sprays) but you may want to reconsider that. You see, many of these treatments are not effective. They can leave behind residue and could be dangerous if not properly executed. The best way to get rid of fleas inside your home is to contact a pest control company that offers flea control.
To prevent a flea infestation, you may consider a year round pest management program for your home that will target fleas as well as other Missouri bugs that are often a problem including ants and roaches. Other flea prevention tips include:
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Washing pet bedding often.
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Giving your pets a bath (frequency should be determined based on the need and with regard to their skin).
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Maintaining flea treatments for your pets as recommended by your vet.
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Vacuuming carpets, under furniture and elsewhere in the home often.
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Looking for ways to deter wildlife from wandering across your property as they are also hosts to fleas.
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Mowing your lawn regularly as well as trimming bushes and pulling weeds.
Unfortunately fleas can be a problem in St. Louis all year round as they are influenced by temperature and weather. Winter is typically when flea activity is at its lowest while summer and fall tend to see higher levels. If you’ve noticed fleas on your pets or are seeing bites on yourself or family members, it is best to contact a local St. Louis pest control company in addition to calling your vet.
Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions knows quite a bit about fleas in St. Louis and can help you get rid of fleas in your home safely and efficiently. Contact the St. Louis pest control pros at Rottler to learn more about flea control today!