When you imagine common pests in Los Angeles, you might first go to species such as spiders, flies, or bees. But, there is one other frequent home-invading pests that many people don’t even think about: the flea.
Fleas are relatively widespread, but many homeowners don’t notice them because they are so tiny. This makes them one of the more difficult pests to detect and identify so that infestations can develop for a while undisturbed. Another common misconception about fleas is that only homes that have pets deal with fleas. The truth is that almost any property can end up with these pests.
Signs Of Fleas
Because fleas only get to be about an eighth of an inch long, some other signs of flea activity may be easier to spot. These include:
- Discovering dark specks of what looks like dirt on carpets and furniture. This could be flea droppings.
- Also, finding this “flea dirt” on the skin of any pets
- If you have pets, finding that your pet is losing their hair, licking at sores, or biting and scratching their fur.
- Seeing egg casings around floors, walls, and furniture
Fleas are a pest that tends to multiply quickly. The sooner you spot signs of their presence and get a start on removal, the easier the process will be in the long run.
Are Fleas Actually Dangerous?
While some pests, such as ticks, use humans as hosts, fleas only live on animals. But, this doesn’t mean they don’t pose health risks to people, too. Fleas are actually quite dangerous pests, and they can cause illnesses in both you and your beloved pets.
One of the most significant health risks with fleas is that they can spread many diseases including typhus, Bartonella, and the infamous Bubonic plague. In fact, it was fleas on rodents that started the Black Plague all those centuries ago.
Also, fleas can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks, and they may lead to other secondary infections as people scratch the bites from fleas. All of these potential problems also apply to cats and dogs, and sometimes these risks are even higher for pets since the fleas live in the animal’s fur.
Five Flea Prevention Tips
The best way to prevent flea infestations is to address the potential issue at the source. If you have pets, this means protecting them from fleas, and for everyone, this means keeping out wildlife and rodents that can bring fleas around.
Here are five flea prevention steps to follow:
- Fleas can also be brought inside on second-hand items that are already infested. So, always check used furniture and clothing items for signs of flea activity before bringing them home.
- Work with your vet to use products that keep fleas off of animals year-round.
- Prevent wildlife from coming around by installing fences and storing pet food inside the house.
- Help keep rodents away by immediately cleaning up food and drink spills and placing lids on all garbage cans.
- Vacuum and sweep your house often to get rid of any fleas that make their way inside before they have a chance to grow their population.
These steps are all helpful in minimizing your risk of a flea infestation but they aren't a guarantee of success.
The Final Step In Flea Protection
The best way to keep fleas away from your Los Angeles property for good is with a collaborative effort between your vet and the pest control professionals at A Step Above Pest Control & Termite. Our residential pest control services can remove fleas and also prevent the rodents and wildlife that carry them. You can trust our many years of experience and our tried-and-true treatment plans.
To get started or to request an inspection, please give us a call today.