How To Remove All Fleas In Your Lubbock Home

Having fleas in your Lubbock home isn't the worst thing that can happen, but it certainly isn't the most comfortable, either. Fleas tend to find their way into homes with pets, namely on the backs of dogs and cats, but they can also just as easily make their way in through other avenues. While most fleas are harmless to humans, they can actually produce some dangerous risks to your health on rare occasions. It's very important to take care of a flea problem as soon as you know about them.

In this article, we go over some flea identification tips, how they might have found their way into your home, and which Lubbock pest control company to call when you're looking to get rid of them effectively.

Fleas: Facts and Identification

Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts, which include warm-blooded animals and humans. They are dark reddish-brown with six legs and antennae and are between 1/12 and 1/6 of an inch long. They are extremely tiny and very hard to see, though not impossible. Fleas are also flat in shape.

Most people think fleas have wings, which allow them to jump from animal to human and vice versa. However, the truth is that they use their legs, which are particularly strong, to jump long distances. In addition, adult fleas can move more easily through hair and fur because they have bristles that point backward.

Is It Dangerous To Have Fleas In My House?

Fleas are a common annoyance, but they can also pose serious risks to your health and your pet's health. Through biting from host to host, fleas can transfer bacteria and disease. Some diseases they can transmit include:

• Murine typhus

• Tularemia

• Bartonellosis

• Tungiasis

Flea control is very important for your household because fleas can also cause anemia and tapeworms in your pets.

In terms of human interaction, flea bites on human skin can cause painful, red, itchy bumps. Flea bites also usually occur in a grouping of three or four, sometimes appearing in a straight line. In addition to bites, fleas can also trigger allergies in humans and dermatitis in pets.

How Do Fleas Find Their Way Into Homes?

There are a few ways that fleas can find their way into your home. Most commonly, fleas find their way in by hitching a ride from your pet. They may stay pretty involved with biting your pet for a period of time, but it won't be long until they eventually move on to you.

Fleas can also travel on rodents, whether or not you have one mouse or an infestation. And fleas can make their way onto your body or clothing when you travel, which is why it's so crucial to inspect your belongings when you get home from a trip.

Another way fleas end up in your house is when overgrown trees, shrubs, or grass provide breeding grounds for fleas, increasing their numbers along with the real possibility they will end up indoors.

What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of Fleas In My House?

If you have a pet, flea prevention involves having regular checkups with the veterinarian. They will likely prescribe you some flea medication to help keep the little buggers at bay. You can also help relieve your pets of fleas at home by combing and bathing them regularly. 

Another way to take care of fleas is to frequently clean and vacuum your home to help remove flea eggs hanging around waiting to hatch. Finally, manage your lawn regularly, mowing tall grass, cutting back overgrown shrubs, and eliminating any areas where rodents might be hiding. You may also want to use an outdoor flea spray to keep them at bay.

If you speculate that you have a flea infestation, contact EnviroGuard. One of our licensed pest control professionals can take care of fleas for you. A pest control service is the best way to get rid of fleas in your home completely.