Fleas

If you have pets that are repeatedly scratching and then grooming themselves, you might want to take a closer look at their skin. Excessive flea activity will cause the pet discomfort as these pests are feeding on the blood of your pet. The appearance of what resembles black pepper on the skin of your pet, carpeting, upholstery, or flooring, is indication fleas are in abundance in your home. Always check your pet's bedding because this is a warm environment they spend many hours each day.

Since the adult fleas are the easiest to spot in your home, it is important you know what to look for if you suspect they have infested your home. They are small, approximately 2.5 mm long, and do not have wings. Their bodies are reddish brown in color and have a shiny appearance. The body is covered with compressed microscopic hairs that allow them to quickly move through the animal fur.

The eggs of the flea are not attached to the host where they are laid. The fleas eggs can hatch on the ground, in upholstery, carpeting, rugs, and even tiny cracks in the flooring. These eggs will hatch in two days, meaning if there are several adult fleas inside, the population can explode in a short amount of time.

The cycle of the fleas are difficult for the homeowner to determine and treat without the help of a professional pest control specialist. Over the counter products will not eliminate the infestation, only mask it. Your local pest control professional will locate the source and break the cycle wherever the fleas are residing. Once they identify the source, they will inspect the rest of the home for infestation, then treat the property so wild animals carrying fleas can not get in your home.

The adult flea are considered parasites and will draw blood from their host. The flea larvae will often feed on the feces of the adult fleas, usually rich in undigested blood. They can be brought into the house by way of cats, dogs, rats, mice, rabbits, and many wild or domesticated animals. They are capable of jumping large distances, and will often jump off and on pets looking for a food source. Your local pest control specialist can easily identify a flea problem and help you to eliminate the presence quickly