Any home can develop a flea infestation, whether or not pets are living there. These biting insects can be tricky to get rid of, which is why professional pest control is the best option. Prosite provides high-quality pest control in Kittitas County to keep your home and family safe from bites.
Flea Identification: What Do They Look Like?
Fleas in Kittitas County are small insects. They’re usually about 1/6 of an inch long or even smaller. Fleas are dark, reddish-brown, and they have flat bodies. The most distinguishing feature of a flea is its large hind legs, which it uses to jump long distances.
Because fleas are so small, you won’t always be able to see them. You should keep an eye out for other signs of an infestation, such as:
- Pets scratching or grooming themselves more than usual
- Fur loss in pets
- Visible flea bites on yourself, family members, or pets
- Small, dark specks of fecal matter on carpets and pet bedding
Flea bites look like tiny, discolored bumps on the skin of a human or animal. Most fleas that get into Kittitas County homes prefer to bite animals, but they will also feed on humans. Fleas can bite anybody.
Health Hazards Of Fleas: Dangers To People And Pets
When a flea bites a person or animal, the host will develop an itchy welt on their skin. The body’s natural response to a flea’s saliva causes the itching. The same thing happens with other biting insects, such as mosquitoes. It’s just your body trying to protect itself from foreign substances.
Itchiness isn’t the only concern with fleas. These insects spread many diseases to people and animals. To humans, fleas can transmit murine typhus, tungiasis, tularemia, bartonellosis, and tapeworm. They can cause anemia and tapeworms in animals. Some of these illnesses can be serious, so you must take every precaution to avoid fleas in your home—for the sake of you and your pets.
Effective Flea Prevention: Tips For A Flea-Free Home
The good news is that there are steps you can take to keep fleas out of your house. You can protect yourself and your pets with these flea-prevention tips:
- Regularly bathe or groom your pets
- Keep dogs on a leash when they’re outside
- Use a year-round flea medication on your pets
- Vacuum your home frequently
- Wash human and pet bedding regularly
- Maintain your lawn to avoid overgrowth and a buildup of yard debris
- Address rodent and wildlife populations on your property
Regularly bathing your pets allows you to catch fleas earlier. You’re more likely to see bites and fleas if you’re regularly inspecting your pets. You should also speak with your vet to find a flea medication that will be best for your pets. Just be sure always to follow the guidelines given by your vet and on the medication packaging.
Dogs often pick up fleas when they’re left unattended and able to roam. They’ll root around in tall grass or cross paths with other animals that may have fleas. Keeping your dog on a leash can minimize contact with areas and animals that could transfer fleas to your pets; this is also why addressing wildlife populations is essential. Bats, rodents, raccoons, and other animals can have fleas. When the animals live in your yard, fleas will find a way to your pets and into your home.
Vacuuming around your home regularly picks up debris that fleas might hide in. You might also vacuum up fleas that are hiding. Washing bedding does the same thing; it cleans up debris that hides fleas and can even get rid of the fleas themselves.
Fleas will sometimes hide in overgrown plants and yard debris. Yard debris can also attract wildlife to your yard. Keep your yard as clear as possible to make it less inviting to fleas and the animals that carry them.
Even though vacuuming and a load of laundry can help with a flea infestation, they won’t completely solve the problem. Call a professional pest management company for treatment if you think fleas are in your Kittitas County home or yard.
Total Flea Elimination: Call The Pros Right Away!
Prosite is your best option for flea control services in Kittitas County. When you call us for a flea problem, we send a trained service technician to inspect your property. They’ll look for any evidence of fleas as well as factors that could be contributing to the infestation. Then, the technician will work with you to find the best solution.
Pest control is a team effort, and your contributions are just as important as what we do. Reach out to Prosite today for help with fleas, and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Kittitas County.