Fleas might not be a pest that you worry about very often, especially if you don’t have pets in your household. However, fleas are actually a very common pest, and they can come inside all kinds of Bay Area homes and businesses, even those without pets.
One of the main reasons why people don’t realize how widespread fleas are is their size. They are extremely small and difficult to see as they only get to be about 2 millimeters long. They have oval-shaped bodies and are reddish-brown in color, and it’s difficult to see just one flea.
The best way to notice fleas is to look for what appears as tiny flecks of reddish-brown dirt on pet hair or in carpets. Other early signs of flea activity include pets that are scratching incessantly at their fur or seeing small, discarded eggshells around your Bay Area home.
Are Fleas Dangerous?
Another common misconception about fleas is that they aren’t that big of a deal and are relatively harmless, but this isn’t the case at all. While many people don’t even worry about fleas, they can cause health problems for both people and pets.
First of all, fleas are known to carry and transmit a wide range of illnesses including Bartonella, typhus, and even the Bubonic plague. Rodents often have fleas, and they are one of the main ways that fleas can get inside of a property that doesn’t have other animals around.
Fleas can also cause problems for dogs, cats, and other pets. While fleas don’t live on human hosts, they do attach themselves to animal fur. This can lead to constant scratching and pets can develop sores and infections.
The Simplest Way To Remove Fleas
If you’re trying to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from the dangers of fleas, the best way to do so is with assistance from the experts at Bay Pest. You should also work with your vet to keep any pets you might have flea-free throughout the year. The best way to prevent and control fleas is in connection with your vet and with our trained technicians.
We provide ongoing pest control services that will assist you in keeping fleas out and also removing any current infestations. We have over 40 years of experience and even provide free inspections. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.
Flea Prevention Tips
While the best way to handle fleas is through Bay Pest, there are also some steps you can take on your own to make your property less appealing to them, such as:
- Keep wildlife that can carry fleas out of your yard by removing bird feeders, storing pet food indoors, and keeping your yard clear of the trash.
- Deter rodents and other animals by placing lids on all garbage cans.
- Keep rodents out of your home by cleaning up food and drink spills and cleaning kitchens on a regular basis.
- Vacuum floors consistently and declutter inside of your home.
- Repair broken screens and seal up holes in exterior walls to keep pests from coming inside.
- Make sure to keep your yard maintained by trimming foliage and mowing the grass.