You’re Not the Only One Who Loves Your Pets—Spot a Flea Infestation with 5 Simple Tips
As the weather begins to warm up, our pets practically beg us to be let outside. We laugh as we watch them dart around trees, hide in bushes, and pounce on piles of unsuspecting leaves. We then carefully wipe their paws off before they come inside—often heading for our plush carpets, comfy beds, and cozy couches.
As we watch them happily bound into our homes, many of us rarely stop to wonder if our pets came in alone…
Then the problem sets in. We notice our pets futilely trying to scratch a spot they just can’t reach, and then you feel it too! Was that a bite or just your imagination? Are you overacting, or could you have a flea infestation?
Stop the worrying and let AAA Exterminating, a pest control company in Indianapolis, list the warning signs of a flea infestation and the steps you can take to find a solution! Read on for the top signs of a flea infestation.
1. Look Out for Irritated, Itchy Pets:
One of the surest signs of a flea infestation is a pet that is frequently scratching themselves. If you notice your pet is constantly irritable, restless, and losing hair, they could have fleas. To check if your pet has fleas, slowly comb them with a flea brush and then inspect the teeth on the brush. Fleas are approximately 2.5 mm in length, smooth and flat, have six legs, and appear red or brown in color. When checking, pay close attention to the groin, neck, ears, and leg folds, where fleas are known to hide.
Fleas also leave behind feces on your animal’s skin which appears as dark specks. To test if a speck came from a flea, place a drop of water on it. If it turns red, it is indeed a flea dropping, and the red hue is caused by the blood that the flea has consumed.
2. Inspect Your Carpets:
Fleas often lay eggs and live in the carpeting and upholstery in your home. To check your carpet for fleas, put on white socks and slowly walk through your carpet. After fifteen seconds of walking, stop and inspect your socks. If you have a flea infestation, you will notice that some of the fleas inhabiting your carpet will cling to your socks.
3. Monitor Your Pet’s Favorite Places
When looking for fleas, it is important to check your pet’s favorite hideouts. These places can include pet beds, armchairs or recliners, and even your bed! When inspecting these areas, be on the lookout for flea larvae. Flea larvae are generally cloudy white or translucent in color and appear in the shape of an oval. This oval is about 5 mm in length and flat. If left in the right conditions, flea larvae can hatch anytime from two days to two weeks. If you spot flea larvae, that is a good indication that you have a flea infestation.
4. Inspect Your Yard:
Just like the technique used to check your carpets, you can inspect your yard in a similar manner. First, put on tall, white socks and wear shoes that can get dirty. Next, walk around your yard and pay close attention to moist, shady areas, because fleas thrive in those conditions. Every few feet, stop and inspect your shoes, socks, and the ground. If you notice fleas jumping about, that can be a major sign of an infestation.
5. Itchy, Irritated Skin
Just as fleas bite animals, they can also bite humans. Aflea bite will usually appear in groups of two or three as small, red, and itchy bumps. Flea bites are serious, because many people have severe flea allergies. Common symptoms of flea allergies include hives, rashes, itchiness, and swelling. In addition to causing allergies, flea bites also have the potential to transmit a number of diseases. If bitten by a flea, closely monitor the bite and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen, or if swelling persists.
Now that you know the common signs of a flea infestation, the hard part is figuring out how to treat it.
Many common household solutions exist, with the most popular options suggesting to wash linens infected by fleas, vacuum your home regularly, and buy flea medication for your animals. Sometimes an infestation can be extensive—affecting both your yard and home! When a serious infestation occurs, pest control companies in Indianapolis should be utilized to thoroughly solve an infestation.
What can pest control companies in Indianapolis do for you?
By hiring a pest control company, you can ensure that your flea infestation is treated efficiently, rapidly, and safely. With expert exterminators, knowledgeable and dependable help can be delivered.
At AAA Exterminating, we understand that no two homes or infestations are the same—which is why we offer flexible pest control. As a family-owned business, your loved ones are our top priority, which is why we are proud to offer product placements that are safe for children and animals. AAA Exterminating is also a recent winner of the 2018 Angie’s List Super Service Award, which means that, based off the reviews of our clients, we have maintained an A grade average in fields like professionalism, price, and other areas!
To see how we can help with your flea infestation or other pest problems, contact AAA Exterminating!
Sneak Peek…
Just as fleas can cause a considerable amount of headaches in your life, so canbed bugs.
Tune in next month to see how you can quickly spot and treat a bedbug infestation!