Your home has fleas and you are not sure what to do…do you call an exterminator to get rid of fleas, treat your house for fleas or hope the fleas will disappear?
Essential Facts About Fleas
Adult fleas (the biting stage seen by pet owners) spend most of their time on the animal, not in the carpet. This is why treatment of the pet in conjunction with the pet's environment is an essential step in ridding a home of fleas.
Adult fleas lay all of their eggs (up to 50 per day) on the pet. However, the eggs soon fall off the animal into carpeting, beneath the cushions of furniture, and wherever else the pet rests, sleeps or spends most of its time. This is where homeowners should focus control measures.
After hatching, flea eggs develop into tiny, worm-like larvae. Larvae remain hidden deep in carpet fibers, beneath furniture cushions and in other protected areas. The larvae feed mainly on adult flea feces (dried blood) which accumulates, along with the eggs, in pet resting and activity areas.
Before becoming adult fleas, the larvae transform into pupae within a silk-like cocoon. Pupae remain inside the cocoon for 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes longer. The cocoon is resistant to insecticides and this is why some adult fleas are seen for an extended period, even after the home and pet are treated.
When should you treat your home for fleas? Flea Removal Albany NY
The best time to treat your home or structure for fleas in while you and your pets are around. Flea pupas will go dormant when there is no movement in the structure or home until there is a blood meal available. However, during the flea treatment, people and pets do need to be out of the home for service.
Why is vacuuming important for flea control?
Vacuuming for fleas is important because it will remove some eggs, larva and pupas. Vacuuming straightens the carpet enabling flea product to penetrate along with speeding the process of fleas hatching to come in contact with flea removal products.
What are flea bites like?
Before a blood meal fleas will probe the skin to feed. After feeding, lines or clusters of itchy red marks appear will appear. Everyone reacts differently reacting within 30 minutes or longer, 24 hours with raised bumps.
How can I have fleas, if I don’t have pets?
How do I prevent my pets from bringing fleas home from the kennel?
No matter the season, maintaining your pet’s flea medication is important. Once returning home from the kennel, wash and dry all bedding and toys to kill all life stages of fleas!
Fleas have many different avenues for invading your home: by your dog or cat, and even pet bedding, clothing, shoes, luggage, and backpacks. It can be very difficult to get rid of fleas, which is why it is so important to contact a pest professional. It is expensive and ineffective to purchase over the counter flea control methods. If you notice flea bites or your pet is suffering from flea bites, your Albany flea removal specialists who can solve flea problems around the Capital District. Fill out our contact form today for a free estimate!