Every pet owner wants to protect their furry friends from fleas, but many don’t realize the problems that these blood-sucking pests can cause at home. From annoying itchy bites to dangerous diseases, a flea infestation can be a nightmare. But once you learn how fleas are getting into your New Haven County home, you can protect your property from these parasitic pests.
What You Should Know About Fleas
When most folks think of fleas, they might think of a few tiny specks hopping around between bristles of dog fur. And while fleas certainly are tiny, they aren’t quite as small as you may have been lead to believe. Most fleas are between 1/12 and 1/6 of an inch long, have a reddish-brown color, and can be seen easily with the naked eye.
Fleas are small in stature but pose big problems for pets and people alike. First, flea bites cause incessant itching, which can lead to potential infection. The stress of living in a home with fleas can affect your relationships and ability to work.
But most of all, fleas can spread disease and parasites. Tapeworm can develop when fleas are accidentally swallowed. Murine typhus can be contacted as a result of fleas who have previously fed on infected rodents. And although fewer than 1,000 cases are reported in the U.S. every year, fleas are still known to transmit the dreaded bubonic plague bacteria.
Why Do I Have Fleas?
While most flea infestations are caused by pets, fleas don’t necessarily need your dog or cat to carry them indoors and can enter your home in a variety of ways. You may unknowingly pick up fleas on your shoes and clothing during a hike or trip to the park. If there’s a shady, cool area with lots of moisture and vegetation, it’s a possible hotspot for fleas in the wild.
Rodents and other wildlife can be a culprit for bringing fleas onto your property. Furry pests often pick up fleas outdoors. When these pests explore your property, they can leave fleas and their eggs behind.
Fleas may be brought home in a secondhand piece of furniture or an old rug. And if your home is located near a flea-friendly habitat, they could potentially come indoors of their own volition through cracks under doors and windows.
How To Prevent Fleas
Dealing with fleas can be extremely difficult, but you can prevent an infestation in your New Haven County home with the right strategy. Effective ways you can defend your property from fleas include:
- Sealing entrance points – Rodents like rats and mice can bring fleas directly into your home. Stuff any holes on the exterior of your property with steel wool and patch any larger openings to prevent entry.
- Reducing available food – Rake your yard for any fallen fruit or nuts that may attract wildlife. Don’t leave uneaten pet food outdoors. Be sure to keep garbage cans covered at all times.
- Mow the lawn – Make your property less hospitable to fleas and other pests by regularly mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, and keeping vegetation under control. Be sure to dispose of any yard waste like leaf piles and grass clippings, as well.
- Protect your pets – Groom pets regularly to catch signs of fleas as they occur. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about the best course of flea prevention or treatment for your pet.
For more information about flea prevention or for assistance with flea problems in your New Haven County home, get in touch with the experts at Rescue 1 Termite & Pest Control and get started on our effective home pest control and commercial pest control services.