Hogarth's Pest Control specializes in all types of industries, residential and commercial.
Fleas are a common pest that infests our homes and attack our pets, as well as rodents and humans. Fleas are a parasite and must have a host to survive. The most common species of flea we come across is the cat flea, which feasts on cats, dogs, and humans. They are jumping wingless insects, not to be confused with springtails, that are about an 8th of an inch long and are reddish-brown. Their goal in life is to find blood and reproduce. Adults can survive without food for two months to a year. Their hatching period is 14 days.
Fleas are a nuisance to their hosts. Their bites cause a red raised spot that causes itching and has a dark red spot in the middle. They can last to up to two weeks after the initial bite. Bites are commonly on the ankles but can be found on any part of your body.
Spotting Fleas
People can detect fleas in the home by using the “white sock” method. If you place white socks on your feet and walk through the house, you will be able to see them appear. On pets, they can be detected by combing what looks to be the dirt like substance from their coats near their skin and placed on a paper towel, if when moistened it turns red, then it is undoubtedly flea dirt.
Treatment
Fleas are on the rise due to the resistance they are getting from the over-the-counter medications. Once an infestation of fleas is detected in the home, the animals must be professionally treated with a professional product from the vet as well as the house by a professional pest control technician. Without doing one of these treatments in conjunction with each other, it is nearly impossible to be rid of an infestation.
