August 10, 2023 - Fleas
Explorer Pest Management Inc received an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars from 18 reviews.
Fleas are unsettling pests that can invade your home in a heartbeat. You might think you're safe if you don't have pets, but the reality is that these external parasites can hitch a ride onto your property in more ways than one. That's why they need to be a part of your Sacramento pest control plan regardless of whether or not you have pets.
Flea Identification: What Do They Look Like?
Contrary to popular belief, fleas in Sacramento are not microscopic. They are, however, very tiny, so if you don't have good vision, you might not see them. Those who do see them will notice they look like tiny, hopping, black dots from far away.
Up close, it's easy to see fleas are insects. They have six legs and three distinct body parts, and their rear pair of legs is much longer and stronger than the other pairs because it is specialized for jumping. Fleas can leap up to 200 times their own body length, making them the animal with the longest jumping range ever recorded.
Health Hazards Of Fleas: Dangers To People And Pets
Fleas used to be one of the most dangerous animals in the world because they were a main vector for the bubonic plague, outbreaks of which killed many millions in the past. Now that bubonic plague is easily treatable and very rare, fleas are not nearly as dangerous as they used to be. That being said, they do spread a few different diseases to people and pets, including:
Murine typhus
Cat scratch fever
Bartonellosis
Tapeworm infection
Flea allergy dermatitis
Anaplasmosis
Most of these illnesses are very rare in people and don't often cause serious complications, but they can be extremely dangerous for pets. That's why it's particularly vital to keep your home treated to prevent a flea problem if you have cats, dogs, or other small, furry, or feathered animals in your home.
Total Flea Elimination: Call The Pros Right Away!
Unfortunately, flea control is not as easy as one might hope. This is due to a variety of factors, including the ease with which you can get a flea infestation and the difficulty in eliminating flea populations in their entirety.
If you don't have untreated pets on your property, then the main way you can wind up with fleas is infestations of wildlife. If you have raccoons, rodents, squirrels, or other mammals coming onto your property, they can bring a flea infestation at any point. Fleas may be especially likely to set up shop on your property if you have good shelter for them, like long grass or thick bushes.
Once you have a breeding population of fleas on your property, it is extremely difficult to get rid of them. Fleas can breed anywhere, and they don't need to eat very often. They can also eat fast, which means it's hard to starve them out. Grocery store products like flea dust and flea fogger are also highly ineffective.
All this is why you need professional flea treatment from the experts here at Explorer Pest Management. Fleas may be able to resist store-bought products, but they can't stand up to our experts and professional-grade equipment.
Effective Flea Prevention: Tips For A Flea-Free Home
Remember, flea removal is a lot harder than flea prevention. In fact, flea prevention is usually something you can accomplish yourself. Keeping wildlife off your property is one of the best ways to avoid flea infestation. You will also need to treat your pets with veterinary-approved flea prophylactics. Keeping your grass and bushes well-trimmed can also help make your home less attractive for fleas.
And if you start seeing signs that you may have a flea infestation, don't waste your time trying to do it yourself. Just call us here at Explorer Pest Management to get started with professional flea control in Sacramento!
