Are you thinking of having a fur baby at home? Perhaps you’re thinking of adding another furry friend to the litter. While this is an amazing decision, you need to know how to care for them. Aside from food, shelter, and grooming needs, they also need protection from fleas. We all know what these are.
Fleas are small creatures that feed on the blood of our fur babies. Aside from their cunning and agile nature, they are ravenous. Once they get ahold of your pet’s skin, they won’t stop feeding until they get full. To learn how to prevent and eliminate them, let’s discuss some of the most interesting facts about fleas.
Facts about fleas
Fleas Can Live Away From Your Dog’s Coat
Many people believe that once a dog catches fleas, it will forever stay in its coat. However, fleas can live away from their host as long as they are well-fed. In fact, they can even lay eggs on floors, mattresses, and carpets. So, if you’re going to exterminate them, don’t focus just on your dog’s coat. Consider treating your home interior. They can hide inside compartments, underneath carpets and mattresses, they can even nest on couches. No matter how much spot-on treatment you apply to your dog’s coat, it does not cut the infestation totally. There will always be other adult fleas to start another wave of infestation.
Fleas Can Jump Up To 7 Inches High
Do you know how fleas can easily latch to humans and animals because of their Olympic-caliber jumping skills? They can jump as high as 7 inches. So, it doesn’t matter how tall you are or how fast you walk, fleas can latch onto your shoes, pants, or socks. To animals, they can easily onto their fur and go directly for the skin. It doesn’t take thirty minutes before they start to feed. And in a couple of days or weeks, they will start to reproduce.
They Quickly Reproduce
Did you know that a female flea can lay up to 100 eggs in one breeding? Imagine how fast they can infest a house with that rate! It’s no surprise that our dogs feel uncomfortable with these pests around. The worst part is they can cause health problems for both animals and humans. Aside from skin allergies, they can also cause anemia. Though this is a rare occurrence, it is not impossible especially to smaller breeds and younger dogs. This happens when the amount of blood consumed by fleas is too much. If it gets worse, it can lead to complications that can cause death.
They Cannot Survive The Cold
While these pesky creatures are agile, they are vulnerable to cold temperatures. By the time winter comes, they should have found a safe place to hide, or else they’ll die outdoors. This is why there is an influx of pests at the end of Autumn. Insects need a safe and warm place to stay for the winter so they can reemerge healthily as spring comes. Knowing this, you have to upgrade your methods for pest control to keep pests away.
Fleas Prefer Humid Areas
To determine which areas are prone to flea infestations, check the most humid areas in your house. Like other insects like roaches, mice, and ants, fleas also prefer areas with an abundance of moisture. If you have indoor plants, you might want to treat its surroundings. They can also dwell in your kitchen, especially if there are stable areas where they can hide.
They Are Not Picky Eaters
Have you ever tried going on vacation with your dog for a week? When you go back home, expect the fleas to be jumping on your pants and socks. The desperation of fleas makes them feed on anyone. Regardless if it’s human or animal, what matters is they get their fill to survive.
Cat Fleas Are The Most Common Species
Fleas have over 2500 species worldwide. 48 of which are in the United States. Among all these creatures, the Cat flea is the most common pest that infests homes. Despite their name, they do not only feed on cats but also dogs and people. So, don’t underestimate their infestation because of their name. They can cause a full-on infestation within a couple of days.
Eggs Hatch When Environmental Conditions Are Optimal
Unlike other insect eggs that hatch a specific period, egg fleas have no specific timeline to hatch. They wait for environmental conditions to stabilize so it’s conducive to their growth. If not, they stay inside their eggs to ensure their safety. They can even stay inside their shells for one year. It’s essential to survive harsh conditions.
They Are Infamous For Spreading Bubonic Plague
Remember the plague that wiped out 1/3 of the European population in the 1400s? Initially, they were caused by rats. But it can be transmitted to humans through the bite of rat fleas. Many believe that the Bubonic Plague has died out. In fact, there are still cases of bubonic plague in the world. If you’re not going to be cautious, you might be the next victim of the disease.
Birds Can Leave Flea Eggs On Your Porch
If you think you can only get fleas as you walk your dog on the streets, you’re wrong. Birds and other animals can drop flea eggs directly into your property which could lead to pest infestations. Once they see how conducive your house is to their growth, they will establish their nest and start to infest the coat of your pets.
How To Prevent And Eliminate Fleas
Seeing how dangerous fleas are, it is important to know how to prevent and eliminate them. Better yet, it’s important to have local Gastonia exterminators on speed dial to ensure your protection from these pests. But if you want to try to prevent them on your own, here are strategies you can apply:
Using a flea comb
This is one of the most cost-effective methods to eliminate and prevent fleas. This is a specialized tool to remove these pests from the coat of your pet. Contrary to your typical hairbrush, the flea comb has small, fine bristles that segregate the fleas from the hair. One run and it can catch adult fleas, eggs, and flea dirt. If ever you extract an adult flea, do not make the mistake of squishing the dogs with your bare hands. You never know what bacteria and viruses they harbor. So, it’s best to drop them into a pool of water and soap solution then wait for them to drown.
Use specialized flea shampoos
Most shampoos are effective to keep your dog’s coat lush and healthy. However, these cannot eliminate the pests that dwell on their skin. To eliminate these, purchase specialized shampoos to suffocate the fleas. According to experts, it’s important to lather your pet and leave it for about 15 minutes. This is enough time to kill the existing flea on their coat. Afterward, rinse them thoroughly and dry. Check their coat for any flea that latched onto their skin and remove them. As usual, place them on a water and soap solution to prevent catching bacteria or virus.
Use lemon
This is another method to deter fleas. You can spray a lemon solution directly to your pet’s fur or you can add it to their bathwater. While this is an effective repellant, it lasts shorter. Hence, you’ll need to reapply regularly and consistently. The upside is, it’s safe for animal contact, unlike most synthetic materials.
Apple cider vinegar
Aside from its health benefits, apple cider vinegar is effective to repel fleas. Like the lemon, you can use it to spray to infested areas. If not you can add a few drops to your dog’s drink. According to experts, when your pooch ingests small portions of apple cider, their body releases through sweat and repel any pest from infesting their coat.
Clean your home regularly
As we discussed earlier, you shouldn’t only focus on your pet’s coat to eliminate pests. They can lay eggs and live away from them. As much as possible, keep your house clean. Eliminate clutter and vacuum regularly. Not only will this help eliminate adult fleas but also flea eggs and flea dirt. Just make sure to throw the contents of your vacuum to get rid of eggs and larvae.
These are only a few of the common methods to eliminate fleas on your own. However, it is not as reliable as the methods used by pest control professionals. Residents in North Carolina call pest control professionals like Go-Forth Home Services. This company offers the latest methods for pest extermination. The best part is, they administer methods safely and effectively. You can ensure that no pest will ever bother your house again. If you are looking for the best pest control professionals for your flea problems, contact this local Triangle exterminator for more information.