One of the most common home invaders for Elk Grove residents and potentially most dangerous are fleas. Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts. Frequently fleas can go undetected in your home because of their small size and ability to remain hidden. But then you may start to notice your pets scratching more often or a sudden appearance of flea bites on your family. If you see these early warning signs, you probably already have a flea problem.
Fleas are very small, so small they are hard to see at 1/12 to ⅙ of an inch long. They do not fly, but they can jump long distances. Fleas are dark reddish-brown in color, have six legs, antennae, and are very hard to kill.
No Pets, No Fleas, Right?
Wrong. Many people think they will never have a flea problem if they do not have pets, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Although indeed, fleas often hitchhike into your home on your pets, fleas are not partial to animals alone.
Just a quick walk through your backyard could bring in enough fleas to start an infestation in your home. While you may think, “what’s the big deal, they are just fleas?” You may not realize that flea infestations can cause a variety of problems for you and your family.
Fleas are known carriers of many diseases such as the bubonic plague, murine typhus, and tapeworm, to name a few. In addition to the diseases that they carry, a severe case of flea bites can cause anemia for homeowners and their pets and potentially trigger allergic reactions if the host is allergic to flea saliva. Not to mention that flea bites can be unsightly, as can be constant scratching.
Flea Prevention Tips For Your Elk Grove Home
Learning what you can do to prevent fleas is the first step in flea control for your house. Follow these simple tips and help reduce your chances of getting a flea infestation in your home:
- Keep the grass trimmed regularly. Fleas are drawn to tall grass.
- Consider a monthly or yearly flea and tick treatment for your family pets.
- Trim back shrubs and low-hanging branches near the exterior of your home.
- Vacuum your house regularly, especially carpets and pet beds where fleas and eggs are more likely to be found.
- Remove bird feeders, pet food, and trash receptacles from the exterior of your home. This will deter wildlife that carries fleas from your property.
- Inspect the exterior of your home for places where rodents could have easy access to your home. Fill any gaps or cracks with caulking. Install weather stripping on doors and windows. Install caps on vents and chimneys.
- Avoid bringing used rugs or upholstered furniture that could be infested with fleas into your home.
Once you realize what could be attracting fleas to your home, you have a leg up on flea control for your house.
How Do You Get Rid Of Your Flea Problem?
So you have a flea infestation; what now? The best way to get rid of fleas in Elk Grove is to contact our professionals at Neighborly Pest Management. For over four decades, we have been striving to be the very best in pest control in Northern California. Our experts will work with you to decide the best course of action and offer solutions for the best way to get rid of fleas in your Elk Grove home. Call us today to schedule your first visit.