A flea infestation can be a huge pain. It is often hard to know, however, whether you are dealing with fleas or another pest. If you are concerned that you might have fleas in your house, there are a few signs to watch out for.
Does Your Pet Have Fleas?
If your pet has fleas, you probably have fleas in your house as well. Their droppings are visible to the naked eye, so if you are concerned, check both your pet and their bedding. The droppings look a little like salt and pepper.
In addition, if you notice that your pet is scratching a lot, you should carefully look at them to see if you spot fleas. It is often hard to see through the animal’s fur, so go slowly, and carefully push the hair around as you examine their skin. Often, fleas gather near the tail or the neck. If you check your pet well and do not think that fleas are present, but your animal continues to scratch, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. It is important to figure out what is causing your pet to have that reaction. There is always the possibility that fleas are present and you simply did not see them.
Finally, if your pet has an unexplained rash, they may be dealing with fleas. Some dogs and cats are allergic to flea bites; they cause rashes to pop up on the body unexpectedly.
Do You Have Bites Near Your Ankles?
Fleas often “attack” as you are walking through the house, which is why so many people have bites near their ankles. If you aren’t sure if you are dealing with fleas, put on a pair of white socks. Walk across your carpet and look down to see if you can spot any black specks jumping around. If fleas are present, it is a good idea to try and address the flea infestation as soon as possible with the help of a pest control company and professional flea exterminator.
Do You Have Droppings On Your Carpet?
Fleas leave their droppings behind on your pets, but they also do so on your flooring as well. If you notice black marks on your carpet, and you aren’t sure what they are from, just wet a paper towel and wipe them up. If the black specks are flea droppings or flea dirt, you’ll see red streaks on your cloth. You can then take steps to remedy the situation.
If you are concerned about fleas, make sure to check your pets, the exterior and interior of your home for signs of fleas. If you suspect that you do have an infestation, get in touch with Excel Termite and Pest Control for a free inspection. We’ll confirm whether or not there is an issue and help you come up with a flea control plan to successfully treat the problem. There is no reason to live with fleas if you don’t have to!
Home Remedies for a Flea Infestation
- Take steps to keep fleas off of your pets. Common flea prevention methods include flea collars, monthly flea medicine, or flea shampoo. Before using any of these, talk to your veterinarian about which method is safest for your pet. If these methods are not a good fit for your pet, try bathing them regularly using a gentle soap like castile, or check out these home remedies for removing fleas on pets.
- In the midst of a flea infestation, it is important to vacuum at least a few times a week if not daily. For best results, sprinkle baking soda or salt on carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding before vacuuming. Use a hard brush to push the baking soda or salt deep into the fabric, then vacuum up the residue. Immediately dispose of the vacuum bag outdoors.
- Diatomaceous Earth is extremely effective in killing fleas and is completely non-toxic to pets and humans. DE is even safe enough to be used directly on pet bedding. Unlike baking soda and salt, DE does not need to be vacuumed up and should be reapplied after a few days.
- Certain scents can repel fleas and help keep them away. Spray infested areas with vinegar, juice from citrus fruits like lemons, or essential oils like citronella. If you are using citrus fruits, do not spray while cats are around as they can experience an allergic reaction.
- If an infestation is severe, consider calling a pest control professional. Lasting infestations can cause pets to become very ill and should be taken care of as promptly as possible. Excel uses Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, which is a pet-safe and minimally-invasive method of pest removal. With Excel, neither you nor your pets will ever have to worry about fleas again. Check out our Residential Pest Control Plans today.
