Fleas

What are fleas?

Fleas are insects that feed on the blood of various warm-blooded animals. Some of their favorite hosts are cats, dogs, rodents, raccoons, skunks, and other wild animals. They are tiny and often mistaken for a speck of dirt until they use their powerful back legs to jump out of sight. Fleas have oval-shaped, reddish-brown bodies that are flattened from side to side; their body shape helps them move easily through the fur of their animal hosts.

A home pest control plan is the most effective way to completely prevent a flea infestation; contact Affinity Pest Control today! 

Are fleas dangerous?

Fleas do pose dangers to both people and animals. Though animals are their preferred hosts, they will bite through our skin and feed on our blood if we are around. Fleas bites are quite itchy, and scratching at the bites can lead to secondary infections, scabbing, and hair loss in animals.

While the spread of diseases (plague, murine typhus, and cat-scratch disease) by fleas in the U.S. is not as much of a concern as in other parts of the world, the threat is still there. Fleas are also capable of spreading tapeworm, which, while it is a more significant threat to our pets, can be spread to people as well.

Why do I have a flea problem?

Listed below are some of the most common ways fleas become a problem in our yards and homes.

They are introduced into our yards by rodents and other wild animals.
After coming into contact with fleas outside, you or your pets could introduce them into your house.
Rodents or other wild animals that have entered your home to nest can cause a flea infestation inside.
When bringing secondhand items like furniture or rugs into your house, you may also bring in flea adults, larvae, or eggs.

Where will I find fleas?

Warm, humid conditions are where fleas thrive best; our Idaho yards and homes often provide fleas with a perfect environment to live when not on the back of an animal host. Outside, fleas waiting for a host hide in things like leaf litter, woodpiles, under shrubbery, and spaces under decks or porches. Their hideouts are where their animal hosts also like to hang out in our yards!

Inside our homes, fleas tend to hide around the following:

• Pet beds
• Rugs and carpets
• Cracks in floors
• Within upholstered furniture or bedding
• Behind baseboards

How do I get rid of fleas?

Striving to be our best every day and better than the day before, you can trust Affinity Pest Control with your pest control needs. The best way to eliminate fleas is to partner with a local professional. At Affinity Pest Control, we perform pest control services in Boise that are effective, responsible, and eco-friendly.

We stay up-to-date with the latest technology and provide our customers with the highest quality services possible. Our residential and commercial pest professionals are committed to accurately identifying and treating fleas and other pests that have found their way onto your Boise area property. Protecting your home and family, trust Affinity Pest Control! For more information about our flea control services and treatments, reach out today!

How can I prevent fleas in the future?

Avoiding problems with fleas is tricky since they can be continuously introduced onto your Idaho property by wildlife. The best way to prevent these biting pests is to partner with us at Affinity Pest Control and implement the following prevention tips:

• Make your property less attractive to the wild animals that regularly cause flea infestations. Keep lids on trash cans, remove bird feeders, maintain gardens, and remove standing water. Maintaining your yard and eliminating overgrown vegetation and clutter is also essential to provide fewer hangouts for rodents and wild animals.
• Fleas that are not on a host hang out in damp, shady areas. Remove their preferred hideouts by keeping your lawn cut short, cutting back shrubbery, and getting rid of leaf litter, excess woodpiles, and brush piles from your yard.
• To help stop fleas from finding their way into your home, seal openings in its exterior that could allow rodents to move inside. Always inspect yourself and your pets for fleas after spending time outside, especially in areas with dense vegetation. Also, before you bring secondhand rugs or upholstered furniture indoors, thoroughly clean and sanitize the items.
• Inside your home doing things like vacuuming regularly, washing pet bedding, and washing your own bedding can help prevent a large-scale flea infestation.