How To Tell If You Have A Flea Problem In Your Chesapeake Home
Fleas are some of the smallest pests that invade homes here in Chesapeake. A single flea is about .1 to .32cm long and looks like a spec when held. These pests are even harder to spot when they are hiding inside an animal's fur. The best thing you can do to identify these pests on your cat or dog's fur is to look for a flea jumping or other movement. You can also look for flea excrement or flea dust.
One thing to keep in mind is that fleas do not just invade homes with pets. Although you are more likely to have trouble with fleas if you have cats or dogs, these pests can still get inside and cause trouble.
How Dangerous Are The Fleas In Chesapeake?
If you are wondering, are flea bites dangerous, they absolutely can be. We say can because not all fleas are hosts for dangerous diseases. Only fleas that bite infected humans or animals become dangerous. If an infected flea finds its way into your home, it could put you, your family, and your pets at risk. As for what diseases do fleas carry? These pests transmit murine typhus, the bubonic plague, tungiasis, and tularemia.
Why Do I Have Fleas In My Chesapeake Home?
There are several ways that fleas find their way into area homes. They commonly ride in on the backs of unprotected cats and dogs. These pests may also use wild animals like rats, birds, mice, and bats to invade your living areas. Finally, fleas on rare occasions crawl in on their own, squeezing through gaps, cracks, and other openings around a home's exterior.
Flea Prevention Tips For Your Chesapeake Home
In order to protect your home from an invasion, you should put some flea prevention steps in place that should involve sealing off entry points, deterring flea-carrying pests like rodents, and making sure your pets are protected. Here are some practical ways to do these things.
- Use some liquid caulk and a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks around your home's exterior foundation.
- Make sure your window and door screens are in good condition.
- Invest in flea and tick collars for your outdoor cats and dogs.
- Keep your living areas clean.
- Reduce the clutter in and around your home.
- Repair damage to your home's gutter system and make sure it is clean.
- Eliminate sources of water buildup on your property.
The Key To Total Flea Control For Chesapeake Homes
There is no easy solution to a flea infestation, or at least there isn't without hiring a professional. To help you quickly remove fleas from your living areas, trust the experts at Hawk Mosquito & Pest. We offer comprehensive home pest control and commercial exterminator options in Chesapeake, VA to identify, eliminate, and prevent a wide range of invasive creatures in our area, including fleas. If you have indoor pets, we will work with you to make sure you get them flea-free at the same time we remove these pests from your home.
In addition to our Chesapeake service area, we also offer pest management services in Virginia Beach and beyond. Call today to learn more and schedule your home for a service visit.