Discovering and Eliminating Fleas

Fleas aren’t just a hazard to your pet. In fact, household flea infestations are fairly common and can pose a threat to humans. Whether they target another one of your animals or you, the tiny insects that arrive hidden in your pet’s fur can quickly travel from one host to another thanks to their ability to jump across vast distances. Before you know it, you can have a problem that affects your entire household. In fact, you don’t even need to own a pet to become a victim of a flea infestation. The bloodsucking bugs can be brought in by humans from the outdoors or spread by invisible pests who already live around your house.

Signs of a Flea Infestation

Identifying a flea infestation in its early stages makes it a much easier and cheaper problem to solve. If you have a pet, start by giving it a thorough inspection. You’re looking for reddish or brown insects with flat, wingless bodies. Quickly move the fur aside to catch any existing fleas in their act, and don’t forget to check all spots that are tough to reach. Since pets can’t scratch behind the ears or around their upper legs, fleas like to hide in those areas. Don’t assume that you’re safe if you don’t see any live insects. Microscopic droppings that look like speckles of dirt are a sure indication that fleas are still around.

After the pet inspection, take a closer look at your own body. On human skin, bites are the most common symptom of a flea problem. They usually show up as red, slightly raised bumps. Keep in mind that they can appear much bigger in people with allergies. Because bedbugs also leave red bites on human skin, double check your bed for blood stains and droppings to rule out a bedbug infestation as a possible source of your skin’s irritation. 

What to Do When You Have a Flea Problem

Like other types of tiny insects that multiply quickly, fleas are tough to find and eliminate without professional help. While you can try homemade or over-the-counter remedies, you risk letting the problem escalate if they turn out to be ineffective. Not to mention that some widely available insecticides contain chemicals that can be potentially harmful to you, your children or your pets if they're used incorrectly. For fast results and a  flea-free home, calling in a pest management team is always the best option.  ARAB Termite & Pest Control uses modern products and techniques to safely and effectively resolve your flea infestation.