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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!