FLEAS

Luckily, fleas are more interested in animal hosts rather than human hosts, but this doesn’t mean they won’t use you as a meal if they have to. Fleas commonly find their way inside by hitching a ride on your pets, who then spread flea eggs all over your house with their constant itching. Fleas have been known to cause illness and even death in animals, and there have been reports of fleas carrying the bacteria that causes the bubonic plague in other parts of the state. Bottom line: These tiny pests can lead to big problems in your home. 

Identifying a Flea Infestation in Your Home

Fleas are only about 1/8 inch long and reddish-brown in color with flattened bodies. A flea is so small that you likely wouldn’t be able to make out its features. Fleas also have a powerful jump; they can jump up to 6 inches high and 13 inches horizontally. They survive on the blood of their hosts and quickly lay four to six eggs within hours of a feeding. 

If your furry friend is constantly scratching after coming in from outside, it’s safe to say he might have fleas. Check your pet’s fur for flea feces—often called flea dirt—which looks like black pepper. Once you’ve located the fleas, remove them using a flea-removing comb, and bathe your pet using a medicated shampoo. Even if you remove all fleas and flea eggs from your pet, there may be eggs lurking in your carpet waiting to hatch and hatch and re-infest your home. 

To minimize the chances of another invasion, you’ll want to clean your home with a concentration on your pet’s bedding and toys: 

• Vacuum floors and upholstered furniture where eggs may be hiding. 
• Quickly empty the vacuum into a bag and discard it outside.
• Wash your own as well as your pets’ bedding.
• Wash your dogs’ toys where possible. 

Flea Prevention and Treatment in Phoenix, Mesa, and Tucson

If you’ve tried your best to rid your home of fleas, it might be time to call in reinforcements. Responsible Pest & Scorpion Control can develop a pest control plan to protect your home. Once you’ve scheduled your flea control appointment, you’ll need to prepare your home so our service specialists can safely treat the area. 

Some of these steps include: 

• Remove toys, pillows, etc. from floors, including closet floors.
• Remove anything under beds and furniture.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture, especially at the base and underneath.
• Vacuum floors and carpets, paying special attention to where the floor and wall meet.
• Seal used vacuum bags in plastic bags and discard them outside.
• Clean all areas frequented by pets.
• Clean all tabletops, windowsills, refrigerator tops, counters, etc.
• Remove all pets and animals from the house.
• Cover any aquariums and turn off pumps right before treatment.

When treatment is complete, be sure to ventilate your home upon re-entry and vacuum your home several times within the seven to 10 days afterward. To have continuous flea protection around your space, follow up your initial service quarterly with an insect growth regulator (IGR) treatment before the next flea season.

Let Us Help Rid Your Home of Fleas

When your dog starts scratching, turn to the service specialists at Responsible Pest & Scorpion Control to protect your family and your pooch from nasty flea bites. Request a quote for flea control today!