You might know fleas as the tiny pest that can wreak havoc on our cats and dogs, but the truth is this pest is a little more complicated than that. Fleas are external pests, meaning they feed on a host from the outside, with their only food source being warm blood. Although you can't see the features of a flea with the naked eye, they do have several features to consider:
- Wingless
- Reddish-brown
- Narrow and hard bodies
- Long and strong back legs
- Piercing mouthparts used to hold on to a host while feeding
There are about 2,500 different species of fleas, but the most common ones to plague our pets and homes in the Houston area are cat fleas. As a resident of Houston, whether you have pets or not, you should still understand where fleas come from, how to prevent them, and what to do if you have an infestation.
Where Do Fleas Come From?
For the most part, fleas can be found outside on hosts such as deer, skunks, mice, rabbits, raccoons, and squirrels—these parasites like shady, damp areas like tall grass and under leaves. If fleas make it inside and are not on a host, they can be found in rugs, behind baseboards, upholstered furniture and bedding, and cracks in the floor.
Usually, fleas get inside a home by attaching to a pet that has encountered the pest outside or has come into contact with a wild animal. If you don't have pets, you are not necessarily out of the clear because a pest infestation can bring them into your home, and even people can.
Luckily, it is relatively easy to prevent fleas from coming into your whether you have pets that go outside or not.
How Do you Prevent Fleas?
There are two main components to preventing fleas from infesting your home protecting pets and deterring wildlife.
Protecting Pets:
- Be mindful of where your pets hang out in your yard and when out in nature
- Inspect them before they come inside
- Regularly bathe and groom pets
- Clean pet bedding regularly, keep bedding away from furniture and vacuum around pet sleeping areas
- Keep pets off furniture and beds
- You should place your pet on year-round preventives with the assistance of their veterinarian.
Deterring Wildlife:
- Keep the grass cut short and remove clippings after you are finished.
- Use a stone barrier between your property and any open land. This barrier should be at least three feet wide.
- Remove bird feeders and baths from your property.
- Take precautions to ensure wildlife can not get inside your home.
You should also inspect your and your children's clothes before coming inside, especially if you live in areas with a high flea population.
Luckily, you don't have to deal with fleas on your own, as professional pest control can make the process of getting them out of your home a lot easier.
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Fleas?
The best way to get rid of fleas is with professional assistance. In Houston, Texas, All-Safe Pest & Termite can help you identify the source of your flea problem, exclude them from your home, and keep them from coming back again. And chances are, if you have a flea problem, you have a larger pest problem that needs to be taken care of.
Don't overlook fleas just because they are tiny. Fleas can cause your, your family, and pets a lot of stress. Call All-Safe Pest & Termite today to learn more about this pest and get started with a free estimate.