When you know trouble is ahead, the best thing to do is to prepare. For example, we all know ups and downs occur in the economy, so one of the best things to do is maintain a savings account to hedge against an economic downturn. In the same way, we all know that fleas are annoying problematic pests, so we need to educate ourselves and prepare for the flea season.
Conquering a current flea infestation in the house or preventing one in the future begins with securing pest control in The Bay Area from Bay Pest. A few years ago, after 35 years in the pest control industry, our founder started Bay Pest to ensure our customers were always satisfied. When you partner with us, you can rest assured you have the best pest control service technicians available to stop the flea infestation in your house.
In this brief article, we will teach you what you need to know about fleas, so you can prepare to win the war against these pests.
Why Homeowners Across The Bay Area Are Seeing Flea Activity
Fleas begin life after a fertilized female enjoys a blood meal and lays eggs. In areas of the country with cold temperatures, the flea eggs lay dormant for several months of the year, providing some relief for residents. However, due to our mild, warm California climate, flea eggs hatch most of the year, resulting in a near-continual flea presence.
Another reason Bay Area residents see flea activity is that while our pets are outside enjoying the sunny California life, so are the fleas. These dark brown or reddish brown insects have backward-pointing bristles that allow them to move freely through animal fur. Furthermore, their large hind legs enable them to jump eight inches vertically, so they hitch a ride on our pets as they wander through the yard. When we allow our dogs and cats to enter the house, they often bring their hitchhiking friends.
Bay Pest can get rid of fleas in your house. Our service technicians will effectively treat flea hot spots around your Bay Area home.
When Are Fleas Most Active Around Bay Area Yards?
Our Bay Area climate is conducive to almost year-round flea activity, but fleas in the yard are most active when temperatures are between 70℉ and 90℉. Adult female fleas lay eggs that hatch within one to ten days when temperatures are in this range. The emerging larvae feed on dried blood from flea feces for five to 20 days before entering the pupa stage. During this phase, they live in a cocoon that protects them for several days or weeks until they emerge as adults. When they sense movement or the body heat of a nearby human or animal, they break out of the cocoon to jump on the potential host. An adult female flea may begin producing eggs within hours of its first blood meal.
Because of our Mediterranean climate, fleas are present in the Bay Area most of the year but are most active from May to September. Bay Pest ends flea infestations in your yard, so you don't have to experience fighting fleas during the summer.
How To Avoid Attracting Fleas To Your Home
The last thing any Bay Area homeowner needs is a house full of fleas. Implement these flea prevention tips to avoid attracting fleas to your home:
- Mow the grass short around the house
- Remove tall grasses and overgrowth on the property
- Seal cracks in the foundation and around window and door frames
- Treat your animals with a veterinarian-approved flea treatment
Flea control for the house includes regularly vacuuming and suctioning out cracks between the baseboards and flooring. Also, wash all pet bedding, linens, and towels using the hottest, soapy water your fabric can withstand.
When you partner with Bay Pest, our service technician will determine the cause of your flea problem. We use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions to address the current infestation and to prevent a future one.
What To Do If Fleas Have Gotten Into Your Home
The best way to get rid of fleas in the house is to partner with Bay Pest. We will inspect your property to determine entry points, attractants, and hot spots. We treat the interior to end the current infestation. On the exterior, we apply our product one foot up the walls and one foot out of the home to create a protective barrier. Contact us today to learn more about our pest control treatment plans and schedule your free inspection.