Is it bad to have disease transmitters and biters in my home? Fleas can be some of the most annoying pests, and some of the most dangerous at the same time, so it is important to keep your eyes open for this minuscule parasite. Otherwise, they can invade your Gruene, TX, home and put you and your family in a world of hurt.
Where Are The Fleas?
Fleas can be found everywhere, but really only if you look hard enough. They are incredibly small, coming in at around 1/12 to 1/6 inch long, and their dark reddish-brown coloring can often have them blend in with whatever animal or person they are on, or in your yard.
The easiest way to find a flea is to find the signs of fleas. On both humans and animals, if a flea has been there, you will probably notice red bumps, scratching, or even hair loss. Flea feces can also be found where fleas have been, so if you notice small black specks on your pet or on your carpet or pet bed, you might have a flea infestation.
Eggs are also a sign of fleas, but these are harder to see. They will typically be found behind furniture or in the cracks of floors, but you can also find them in your pet’s fur.
Dangers For You And Your Pets
Fleas have been talked about for a long time, but because they are so prevalent, you may think they are not too big of a deal, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Flea bites can cause severe itching, which humans can generally manage, but sometimes animals can scratch and chew to such an extent that they start to damage themselves.
Flea saliva can even cause allergic reactions in some humans and in some pets as well. Beyond just this, fleas are also transmitters of the bubonic plague and murine typhus. An additional point of consideration is that even homes without pets can be the victims of fleas. They can very easily get in your home without your pet, and you should be on the look for them no matter what.
If you do have pets though, you should be even more aware. Fleas can transfer tapeworms to your animals and also cause anemia in your pets through flea bites. These pests carry a whole host of dangers for both you and your pets, so you are probably wondering how you can prevent them from infiltrating your home.
Preventing Fleas
The best way to prevent fleas is by being aware of them year-round. This can mean:
- Combing your pet’s hair to see if they are carrying any fleas
- Not letting your pets roll around in the grass and dead leaves
- Regular bathing and grooming
- Regularly washing bed linens
Additional preventive measures you can take to prevent fleas from infesting your house are frequent cleaning and vacuuming. This way, if a flea were somehow able to come into your home, you would take care of them before they can lay eggs and multiply. For outside, you should be sure to regularly mow, as fleas like to hide in tall grass. You should additionally remove spaces where rodents may gather, like overgrown trees and shrubs, as these pests can very easily bring fleas into the vicinity of your home.
Working With Us
The best form of flea prevention, though, is a joint effort between your veterinarian and your local pest control professionals. Veterinarians can give your pet medicine that prevents fleas, and Daniel Pest Control can find where the fleas are coming from and use proper heat and steam cleaners to exterminate them. We serve the Gruene, TX, area and will be sure to help with proper and effective flea control.