Fleas are everywhere and can easily find their way into any Kittitas County home and cause serious issues once they've moved in. Prosite provides quality Kittitas County pest control to protect your home against fleas and other pests. Keep reading to learn more about these small pests that cause big problems.
Fleas are tiny, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals, including people and house pets. Parasites are creatures that enter one-sided, non-consensual relationships with other organisms and derive their nourishment at the expense of these organisms. Fleas are dark reddish-brown and flat when they have not had a meal. After a meal, fleas may appear darker and plump.
Fleas have a typical lifespan of three to four months, and female fleas can lay hundreds of eggs in their short lifetime. They typically lay their eggs in the hair of their host, and flea eggs hatch within a few days of being laid. Flea larvae emerge from the eggs and appear grub-like, seeking out dark, quiet areas where they can feast on adult flea feces and grow. Larvae eventually encase themselves in cocoons and molt into adults. New adults need a blood meal in order to survive.
How To Tell If It's Fleas In Your Home
Fleas are hitchhikers and will usually be brought into your home on clothes or animals. Once inside, they can infest upholstery and carpeting until they find a person or pet to feed and live on. If you are concerned about fleas in your Kittitas County home, there are a few key signs you can look out for, such as:
- Flea dirt or small, dark spots of flea feces on furniture and textiles
- Flea eggs on the carpet
- Itchy, red flea bites
- Hair loss
These signs are all big clues that there may be a flea infestation in your home.
Why Having Fleas In Your Home Is A Health Risk
Fleas pose a higher risk to pets than they are to humans. Fleas can transfer dangerous worms to your furry friends and can trigger a nasty case of dermatitis in pets that leads to rash and hair loss.
For humans, fleas can cause allergic reactions or aggravate asthma symptoms. Although rare today, fleas have been known to spread bubonic plague and typhus to humans. Bubonic plague is a bacterial infection that causes flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes. Typhus is an infectious disease that causes rash, fever, and delirium.
Simple Ways To Prevent Future Flea Problems
The best form of flea control is prevention. Some simple ways to prevent fleas include keeping a clean and tidy home. Sweeping and vacuuming often, along with drying textiles on high heat, are great ways to keep a flea infestation at bay. Additionally, keeping up with pet hygiene and personal hygiene can prevent fleas from getting into your home. Finally, keeping a well-groomed yard will greatly reduce the number of fleas residing on your lawn.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of A Flea Infestation
If fleas are already infesting your home, then the only surefire way to get rid of fleas is to work with the professional team at Prosite. We at Prosite offer a variety of treatments backed by science. We ensure that your home has year-round pest protection that meets your personal price point. If you are looking to work with a team of success-driven and customer care-oriented professionals, then look no further than Prosite. Reach out to Prosite for a flea-free home today!