South Florida faces flea season all year round, which means at any time these pests may be infesting your home.
Fleas are tiny parasitic insects that feed off of animal blood. There are thousands of unique types of fleas, with many seeking specific hosts.
Contrary to popular belief, these pesky insects don’t just feed off of dogs and cats. They can make their way into our homes and even feed off us humans.
How do you know when it’s time to call a professional exterminator to clear your home of these parasites?
Here’s what you need to know about dealing with a flea infestation.
Signs of a Flea Infestation
Before starting any treatment, you want to be sure that fleas are what you’re dealing with. If you are concerned that you may have these little intruders in your South Florida home, then do the simple sock test.
Of course, you want to check your pets’ fur for any signs of these insects. But they can be hard to see. That’s where the sock test comes in.
Put on a pair of long white socks. Walk around your home, shuffling your feet on the carpet or any rugs. Fleas are attracted to heat and will jump on your socks. Keep an eye out for small black insects on your socks. If you spot some, there’s a good chance you have fleas in your home.
Health Risks
First and foremost, a flea infestation is not a matter to be taken lightly. These small bugs can cause a host of serious issues including:
Infections. Scratching the itchy little bites can lead to infection.
Disease. Although it’s rare in the United States, fleas may carry diseases including Rickettsia, Bartonella, and even the Bubonic plague.
Allergies. Many animals and people experience an allergic reaction to flea bites.
Parasites. Unfortunately, these small bugs can spread parasites including tapeworms.
While most infestations do not lead to these serious complications, they can still cause pain, irritation, and itchiness. They can prevent you (or your dogs and cats) from comfortably enjoying your home.
Flea Treatment
One of the first methods of flea treatment in West Palm Beach, FL is to try it yourself. Of course, we highly recommend you do the following to minimize the infestation:
Thoroughly bathe your pets with flea and tick shampoo formulated to kill these pests. Use a flea comb outside to help remove them from their coat.
Administer flea treatments to your pets. Discuss the best option with your veterinarian to ensure safe treatment.
Vacuum your entire home, including furniture. Repeat the process daily for a few weeks.
Handle bedding. For a mild infestation, wash all of your bedding. If the infestation is more intense, you may need to dispose of bedding.
While all of these steps can help reduce the fleas in your home, they are not always enough to stop a flea infestation in West Palm Beach, FL.
It’s Difficult to Get Rid of Fleas in West Palm Beach, FL
The truth is that it’s very difficult to get rid of fleas. These small insects are incredibly pesky and tend to linger even when you try your best to get rid of them.
Here’s why they are so hard to deal with:
Fast Multipliers
A female flea’s lifespan ranges from 30 to 90 days. In that short life cycle, one can lay 5,000 or more eggs! That means that these stubborn insects replicate at an alarming rate.
If your pet happened to pick up only a couple of fleas at the park, the number will exponentially replicate in the thousands. The rapid rate that these pests replicate is part of what makes it so hard to treat them.
Even when you treat your pets and clean, you may not get every single flea. Any that are left will continue to multiply, extending the infestation even longer.
They Hide
Another challenge of flea treatment is how they move. These tiny pests can move very fast. They can jump up to three feet high, hiding up in curtains and on top of hard furniture.
As you try to get rid of the fleas, they are jumping and hiding. This makes it very likely that you won’t get every single one of them which is why flea treatment can feel like a never-ending battle.
Professional Pest Control
Ultimately, fleas are difficult to get rid of. While at-home methods are important, they rarely leave you with a pest-free home. At the same time, you do not want to try chemical methods to kill fleas yourself as they can harm kids and pets when done incorrectly.
If you’re dealing with a flea infestation, now is the time to call an exterminator for fleas in West Palm Beach, FL.
To put an end to these pests today, it’s time to call a professional. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you, or request your free quote below!
