The question of the ages: Can I DIY this or do I need professional help? In most cases, the answer depends on the severity of the infestation. If you just have one or two fleas, you can probably take care of that on your own. The problem comes in when infestations are bigger than you realize. Just because you only saw two bugs doesn’t mean there aren’t more. Because of that, and because fleas can be dangerous for humans and animals, it’s best to call a professional. If you’re looking for flea treatments and pest control in Raleigh, call Go-Forth Home Services. We’ll take care of it.
Flea Identification Guide
The first step to treating a flea infestation is, naturally, figuring out that you have a flea infestation. Fleas are tiny parasitic insects that are typically smaller than 1/6 of an inch long. Fleas are dark brown to black in color, but can have a reddish tinge when they’re full of blood. They don’t have wings, so they don’t fly, but they do have strong legs and can jump long distances. Those jumping abilities sets fleas apart from other parasitic pests like ticks and bed bugs, both of which only crawl. Even though they’re small, fleas can usually be seen with the naked eye.
Fleas are common pests and can be seen on cats, dogs, and people, as well as other warm-blooded hosts. That includes outdoor pests, like opossums and rats. The most common signs of fleas are frequent scratching and red bites. You also might just see them on your pets, in your carpet, or on other furniture.
Fleas In Raleigh Can Be Dangerous
It isn’t just the bite that makes fleas dangerous. They carry diseases to their hosts that can then spread. Fleas are the most common transmitter of the bubonic plague (which is extremely rare, so don’t panic). They can also carry typhus, tapeworms, and other infections. Flea bites and saliva can cause allergic reactions in humans.
Six Tips For DIY Flea Control
The best flea control is flea prevention to make sure that they stay out of your home to begin with. If you want to know how to keep fleas away, here are some simple steps you can take:
- Keep your lawn groomed. Keeping grass, shrubs, and other plants trimmed back and healthy makes your yard less appealing to nuisance wildlife that could potentially carry fleas.
- Keep dogs on a leash when outside. If you can keep your pets from exploring unfamiliar areas, you greatly reduce the risk of them picking up fleas.
- Bathe and groom pets regularly. Just keeping your animals clean can help prevent flea infestations. Specialized flea shampoos and other treatments can also keep any problems from growing too big.
- Bring pets to the vet annually. Your vet can provide professional flea inspections and treatments, just like a pest control company does for your house. They can also give you specific advice for your pet’s safety.
- Clean and vacuum frequently. If any fleas do manage to make their way into your house, the vacuum is your best friend. Although the infestation could be bigger than just what you see, killing the bugs you can is a great start.
- Seal cracks and crevices in your home. Making sure there aren’t any cracks in the walls or foundation of your house is a fantastic way to prevent any infestation. This takes away a lot of potential entrances into your home.
These steps can help keep fleas away, but if you already have an infestation, it's time to call the professionals for effective total flea control.
How To Get Fleas Out Of Your Home For Good
The best way to really treat a flea problem is to work as a team with a professional pest control company. Doing what you can around your house is a great way to start, and we’ll do the rest. Go-Forth Home Services will come perform an inspection, then we’ll create a customized treatment plan. We only use the safest methods so that we can ensure the health and safety of everyone in your home. If you’re looking for flea control in Raleigh, call Go-Forth Home Services today.