You'd do anything for your loved ones, so why would you ignore a flea infestation in your Bay Area home? Fleas are annoying little parasites that feast on the blood of birds and mammals, but not many people know how dangerous an infestation can be. Your family's health and safety are your number one priority, so you need to know how to keep these bloodthirsty critters away from your property.
Is This A Flea?
It's not easy to notice fleas in the early stages of an infestation. They're roughly 1/12 of an inch long, dark brown to black, flat, and have powerful back legs. Fleas almost look like tiny specks of dirt if you don't look close enough, and they're also mistaken for ticks, bed bugs, and chiggers.
Fleas In The Bay Area Can Be Dangerous
Not many people realize that fleas carry diseases. They pick up dangerous pathogens by feeding on infected hosts, so while fleas aren't born with the diseases they spread, a large enough infestation could pass on one of the following:
- Plague
- Typhus
- Tularemia
- Cat-scratch disease
- Intestinal worms
- Tungiasis
- Haemoplasmosis
The most dangerous flea infestations come from rodent infestations, which means fleas could be a sign of an even worse pest problem in your home. Regularly scheduled pest control from your local Bay Area pest control company will protect your home from dangerous pests like fleas and rodents.
Six Ways To Keep Fleas Away
Fleas are excellent at making a quick escape, but they can't depend on their powerful back legs for travel. Instead, they use their hosts as transportation to help them find new and exciting places to invade. Unfortunately, fleas are common pests among wildlife, but luckily there are lots of simple tricks you can use to keep fleas away from your property:
- Fleas are often brought inside on indoor/outdoor pets, so schedule a flea and tick treatment plan for your pets with your local veterinarian.
- Install tight-fitting lids on all indoor and outdoor trash cans and remove bird feeders to deter wildlife activity on your property.
- Remove leaf piles, clear out underbrush, and fill in ground holes to remove wildlife nesting spots around your lawn.
- It's easy to bring fleas inside after you've spent time outdoors, so sweep, mop, and vacuum your floors regularly.
- Rodent infestations are common causes of flea infestations. Repair any potential entry points around the exterior of your home with material that's difficult to chew through, like cement, metal paneling, and steel wool.
- Clean your linens and pet bedding regularly.
While prevention will reduce your chances of an infestation, it will never be an adequate replacement for professional pest control. The only way to guarantee protection against dangerous pests like fleas is with the help of your local pest control company.
How To Get Fleas Out Of Your Home For Good
Despite the variety of flea control options offered at your local supermarket, getting rid of fleas isn't easy. Most store-bought pesticides contain many harmful chemicals, and they're not as effective as you'd expect. The best way to get rid of fleas in your Bay Area home is with the help of our pest experts at Bay Pest Solutions Inc.
You deserve to feel safe in your own home, which is why we offer effective and affordable treatment options for any budget. We use the highest quality pest control methods in all treatments, and our customer satisfaction guarantee backs every visit. If you're not satisfied with our services, we'll re-treat your home and property at no additional cost. Get in contact with us today to learn more about our treatment options.