Whether you have pets or not, your home could have a flea problem. Certain locations and climates are more prone to flea problems than others. Fleas can also come from neighbouring homes, or you can accidentally bring them into your home from the outside. A flea infestation can make your pets miserable unless you take action. Here are some ways to tell if you have a flea infestation and how a pest control company can help.
What Is the Flea Life Cycle?
Fleas, like other insects, have four life stages. The female lays eggs on the host, which eventually fall off. The larvae look like little worms and seek shelter soon after they hatch. They don't need a host at this stage and usually digest adult flea faeces and dead skin. Eventually, they spin a cocoon and enter the pupae stage. Once they emerge from the cocoon, they are adults and ready to feed directly from a host.
What Are the Signs of a Flea Infestation?
It's not hard to tell that you have a flea infestation. You will feel the bites and may actually see the tiny insects on your skin. Flea bites cause red bumps and itchiness in most people. However, some people have severe reactions and could even be allergic. If you have a furry pet, you will notice them scratching and rubbing their head more often.
In humans, flea bites are most common around the feet and ankles. In pets, fleas can bite anywhere. You may notice fleas on your pet during grooming sessions. Cat and dog fleas are the most common flea types in Australia. Both fleas look similar, and cat fleas are known to feed off of other hosts.
How Can a Pest Control Company Help?
A pest control company can devise a strategy to eliminate and prevent a flea infestation in your home. Some methods kill adults, but not the eggs and larvae. You may need more than one treatment or an application of a long-acting insecticide for complete eradication. In addition, you should also treat your pet and your garden at the same time.
Flea season in Australia often coincides with the summer season, though they can be pests all year. Your warm home makes a perfect place for larvae and pupae to ride out the cooler temperatures. Fall and winter are great times to treat the home for fleas and get rid of them before they mature and start biting. Ask your pest control company about how fleas can be eradicated from your home and yard.