Bed Bugs Vs. Fleas: Identification, Prevention, & Treatment
Bed bugs and fleas are both hematophagous insects, meaning they feed on blood, with similar appearances, making them difficult to tell apart for the untrained eye. Both these insects are remarkably fast breeders, so it’s essential to be able to identify an infestation and solve it before the problem gets out of hand! In this article, we’ll offer some tips on how you can differentiate between these two types of blood-sucking insects and treat their infestations! If you’re a home or business owner in Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire that is currently dealing with a flea or bed bug problem, contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today for a free extermination estimate!
Flea Identification & Treatment
One of the factors that makes differentiating between fleas and bed bugs difficult is that their appearance is so similar. Fleas typically have a more ovular shape than bed bugs with lengths ranging from 1.5mm to 3mm. Fleas have six long legs, which is why they’re so good at jumping, and have a reddish-brown color when they have recently fed. When fleas bite, they leave marks that look like dots with a dark red center. Fleas typically bite your lower body, while bed bugs typically bite your upper body. Fleas are most often found attached to their hosts (humans, animals) or in upholstery, carpets, or pet beds. The best way to prevent flea infestations is to treat your pets with flea medicine, as these insects’ most common entry point into homes is via a ride from pets. As mentioned above, fleas breed & multiply extremely quickly, so it’s important to contact a local pest control company in your area to assist you with eradicating the problem as soon as you spot a potential infestation!
Bed Bug Identification & Treatment
Bed bugs can range in color from tannish-yellow to brownish-red. Bed bugs have a more apple seed shaped body, while fleas are longer and skinnier. Bed bugs are typically around 1.5 mm to 5 mm long, so they are slightly bigger on average than fleas. One key way to differentiate between beds bugs and fleas is to observe one after it has bitten you or your pet. Bed bugs will plump up after sucking blood and turn a bright red color, while fleas will keep their brownish hue. The best way to prevent bed bug infestations is to be extremely cautious with clothes, furniture, and upholstery that you’re bringing into your home, as these are typically the items that bed bugs use to hitch a ride into residences. If you have noticed bed bugs on or around your furniture, you should contact a pest control professional who can solve the problem as soon as possible!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you have any questions about identifying, preventing, or treating a flea or bed bug infestation in your Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire home, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control! We provide various pest removal and extermination services at affordable prices throughout the region! Give us a call today at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website!
Removing Fleas From Your Home
Everyone knows that fleas are harmful to dogs and cats, but did you know that they can spread diseases and cause tapeworms in humans as well? Fleas often enter your home on the backs of your pets, then they jump off and begin living throughout your home. According to a study conducted by Texas A&M University, female fleas lay an average of 27 eggs per day. These eggs then take just 12 days to hatch, and soon thereafter will begin laying their own eggs. For this reason, it’s extremely important to remove fleas from your home as soon as you realize an infestation is present, before they begin to reproduce and multiply.
How To Know If There Are Fleas In Your Home
Obviously, the most sure-fire way of knowing you have a flea infestation is by actually seeing them. While fleas are tiny little bugs, just millimeters in length, they are still visible to the human eye. They are usually a brownish-red or black color, have 6 legs, and are wingless. However, they move extremely quickly so they are usually hard to spot. Without actually seeing the fleas themselves, there are a few other telltale signs that your home may have a flea infestation. One of these signs to look out for is itchy, red bites on your skin. While flea bites are often mistaken for mosquito bites, fleas usually bite between your knees and feet because they like to hide in your carpet and on the floor. Another sign that your home may have a flea infestation is finding flea eggs or flea “dirt” on your carpet, on your pet, or on your pet’s bedding. Flea eggs look like tiny white flecks, and flea “dirt”, which is actually flea feces, look like tiny black flecks: almost like ground black pepper. Finally, if you notice that your dog or cat is excessively scratching or their skin appears to have bites or irritation, there is a good chance they have fleas and have brought them into your home.
How To Remove Fleas From Your Home
Fleas are a challenging pest to remove from your home on your own because they are so small, quick, and hard to see. For this reason, the best option for exterminating a flea infestation is hiring a professional pest control company like Absolut Pest Control. As far as home remedies for flea infestations, you should focus on getting them out of your carpets, where they are likely hiding. One method to do this is to sprinkle baking soda all over your carpet, which should kill them, then vacuum it up. You can also use salt for this method. You should also be sure to give your pets anti-flea medication so they stop bringing new fleas into your home!
Contact Absolut Pest Control!
If you believe your home may have a flea infestation or any other kind of pest problem in Massachusetts or southern New Hampshire, contact us! We provide professional pest control services and an outstanding customer service team who would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Give us a call at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website for a free estimate!
When Should You Call Pest Control?
The mere presence of a single pest may make you uncomfortable or concerned, especially depending on the type of pest or the sort of damage it causes. Some pest issues you can handle on your own with a little know-how or an instructional guide on the web. Other cases require expert help to remedy the problem and give you some peace of mind. Often, homeowners and renters waste time and money on insufficient traps, baits, and other at-home solutions. In the long run, it could save you money on repairs needed to fix damages caused by nuisance pests. When should you actually call pest control? Here’s a look at when’s a good time to give your local pest control company a call.
Seeing Pests Around
Seeing isn’t believing, it’s knowing. Sightings of pests on your property are a clear sign that you have unwanted guests around. If you spot one rat, for example, likely, there are more around for you to deal with. Some pests like ants and termites create a colony which is an indication of an infestation. A single pest sighting should give you cause for concern and compel you to investigate further to know the extent of the pest infestation. You may need expert help and pest- control professionals can determine the kind of solution that you need. Many homeowners are dismayed that even after a storebought trap successfully catches one mouse, the sounds of mice in the walls or the sight of them scurrying across the floor doesn’t immediately go away.
Pest Droppings and Urine
Maybe you’ve come across what looks like urine and droppings in your attic or basement. You might not be able to identify what type of pest did it, but you know it’s a sign of trouble to come. Pest droppings are a health hazard for you and your family, especially those with allergies. Droppings contain plenty of bacteria and viruses that can spread illnesses, from salmonella to murine typhus. Pests are nuisances that you should never tolerate in your home and ignoring them can be perilous for you. For this reason, you want to get rid of pests at the first sign of their existence.
Damage to Your Property
Have you noticed gnawing marks on your walls or furniture? Maybe you’ve seen claw marks in your attic or holes chewed in your siding. Some pests can be destructive and cost you money in property damage. Squirrels, for example, are believed to be the source of 25% of house fires. Rodents are known to gnaw on wires that can lead to electrical fires and other pests, like termites can inflict damage to the structural integrity of your home. The last thing that you want is for your pest problem to get out of control.
Scratching and Rustling Noise
Does hearing scratches or rustling sounds while doing house chores cause you to pause? Trying to figure out what it could be? It’s not likely to be paranormal activity. What it may turn out to be could be much worse- a pest invasion. Scampering across your floors, for example, is usually a sign that mice are present. Get professionals to check it out if you can’t access the location the noise is coming from or are scared. If pests are around, it’s in your best interest to have them removed asap.
Contact Absolut Pest Control For Services in Amesbury
Absolut Pest Control is a great pest control company that can provide you with expert solutions. We are equipped to provide the first line of defense against the pesky invaders that want to take over your home. Call or send a message to our team to speak to our pest control expert and to get a quote today.
How To Prevent Fleas
Whether or not you are a pet owner, you may one day have to deal with fleas. Rodents and other pests that enter your home can bring fleas in. Fleas are an annoyance for both humans and pets. And in many cases, fleas can carry disease. Naturally, you will want to do everything you can to avoid a flea infestation. However, if your home or building already has an issue with fleas, the team at Absolut Pest Control can help. We handle pest problems across Massachusetts. In the meantime; here are a few helpful tips to decreasing the chances of fleas showing up in your home.
Take Care Of Your Yard
Fleas and ticks will usually be found in tall grassy areas. Cutting your grass and spraying your yard can prevent ticks and fleas from latching on to your pets. Spray treatments designed for front and backyards have been proven effective at decreasing the risk of pest problems inside a home. If you decide to buy a flea yard spray make sure to follow the instruction and read warnings that may affect your children and your pets.
Take Care Of Your Pets
If you have outdoor pets you should make sure they are regularly cleaned and that they see a vet. Pay attention to your pet, if you notice that they are consistently itching an area of their body or biting at their fur, consider bringing them to a vet to find out what the issue. There are also a variety of flea treatments for pet fur; if your pet has fleas consider talking to a vet about these treatments. Make sure your pets are getting regular baths that help prevent insects from living in their fur.
Take Care Of Your Home
Fleas will often hide in carpets and upholstered furniture. Regular vacuuming and regularly changing your vacuum bags is a good way to prevent insects and fleas from infesting your home. Additionally, there are carpet sprays that you can use to treat your carpets and prevent flea infestation. Make sure to also wash bedding on a regular basis with warm or hot water.
Issues With Fleas? Give us a Call
If you notice fleas around your home and are dealing with an infestation, our team can help. We provide flea removal services throughout the Greater Boston area. Give us a call to set up an appointment, get a quote, or ask more about our flea removal services.
How to Control Fleas in Your Home
The root of any flea infestation usually comes from pets. While your dog or cat play and run around outside and play with other animals, fleas can easily latch onto them. It’s important that if you discover fleas on your pet, to take care of it as soon as possible.
Here are some helpful tips to avoid fleas from growing in your home;
- Vacuuming daily is essential because it will help capture any eggs, adults, larvae and pupae before they start to grow. Also remember to empty the bag every time your vacuum.
- Wash all clothing, bedding, blankets, towels and pet bedding weekly if you suspect fleas in your home.
- Make sure you give your dog or cat a bath regularly. Use safe flea shampoo on your pets and you should also double check with your veterinarian in taking !
- Before you let your pets run outside in the yard, make sure the area around your home is well maintained. Make sure there isn’ heavily shaded areas around your yard, fleas don’t really like areas with a lot of foot traffic or sunlight.
If you discover fleas in your home, your best solution is to contact a professional exterminator! Absolut Pest Control can take care of your flea problem, contact us at 978.388.4589 or fill out our contact form online!