I Don't Have Pets, But I Have Fleas

While fleas are usually associated with pets, they can bug humans too. Fleas can invade your home even if you don’t have furry family members. Though fleas prefer animal hosts, they can survive by feeding on you and your family. We’ve gathered information to help you understand why fleas are in your pet-free house and how you can get rid of them.

Why Do I Have Fleas If I Don’t Have Pets?

Just because you don’t have pets in your home, doesn’t mean fleas won’t be a problem. Fleas can find other ways into your house. Check out how fleas could have gained access to your home.

• Infested Animals: Animals like squirrels and raccoons are susceptible to fleas. If they are in your yard, it’s possible they brought fleas with them. Stray animals or your neighbor’s pet could also carry fleas into your space.
• Carried in with You: Before finding a host, fleas hide in grass and vegetation. They are excellent jumpers and can easily hop on to you while you’re spending time outside.
• Fleas Were Already There: If you have recently moved into your home and have found fleas, there’s a chance they were already living there. Even if the previous owners dealt with the problem, flea eggs could have been left behind.
• Old Pieces of Furniture: Sometimes old furniture can have fleas hidden in or on it. Before bringing it home, examine it for signs of fleas.

What Do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas are small pests that grow between 1/12ʺ-1/6ʺ. They have long hind legs compared to their other four legs. These pests have a dark reddish-brown body. They don’t have wings, but they are powerful jumpers. Fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day. These are tiny, oval, and white or clear. Flea larvae emerge from eggs and are small worm-like pests.  

How Do You Know if You Have Fleas in Your House?

If fleas are in your house, they often leave behind clues that will alert you to their presence. Check out a few signs that fleas are in your home.

• Flea Dirt: Flea droppings are also known as flea dirt. They are reddish-black specks. These can be found anywhere fleas are hiding including carpet, rugs, curtains, and furniture.
• Flea Activity: You may notice fleas hopping around your home. These pests will move quickly on carpet, drapes, and furniture. You could also spot flea eggs, larvae, and pupae.
• Flea Bites: When fleas bite, they often leave behind red, itchy bumps. These are most common on feet, ankles, and legs, but they can be seen elsewhere. These marks are typically grouped together in a cluster or line.

How to Treat Flea Bites

In most cases, flea bites will go away on their own. Even though these bites are itchy, you don’t want to scratch them. Wash the bite area with soap and water. You can use an ice pack and anti-itch cream to help ease the itchiness. If you believe the bites have become infected or are experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction, including hives, shortness of breath, or a rash, seek medical attention.

How to Prevent Fleas

Things can be done in your home and yard to help prevent fleas. We’ve made a list of tips to help keep these pests away.

• Keep Your Yard Clean: Fleas hide in tall grass and shrubs. Mow your lawn regularly, trim shrubs and plants, and remove weeds. Keep your yard free of debris including logs, leaves, rocks, and other items that can provide fleas with shelter. Remove trash from your yard that could attract wildlife.
• Seal Entry Points: Sealing entry points will make it more difficult for fleas to enter your home. Seal cracks and repair damaged door and window screens. Make sure animals, like flea-infested rodents, can’t get into your garage, shed, attic, crawlspace, and under your deck.
• Avoid Walking in Tall Grass: When spending time in nature, avoid areas with tall grass. Fleas can easily hop onto you from blades of grass. When possible, wear pants, long socks, and long-sleeved shirts to help deter these pests from biting.
• Reduce Moisture: Fleas love moisture and are attracted to damp yards. Avoid overwatering your plants to prevent these pests. Eliminate sources of standing water and remove items that collect water.
• Create a Protective Barrier: To help deter flea activity, spray your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray. Our Yard Bug Spray kills fleas on contact and provides you with residual repellency. This acts as a barrier helping to keep fleas out of your yard.

How to Get Rid of Fleas

If fleas have taken over your space, you’ll want to act quickly to control the problem. Check out a few things you can do to get rid of fleas in your home.

• Vacuum & Sweep: Vacuum or sweep floors to remove fleas and their eggs. Don’t forget to vacuum rugs to help get rid of hidden flea larvae and pupae. You’ll also want to vacuum upholstered furniture.
• Wash Bedding & Fabrics: Fleas can hide on fabric household items. Wash bedding and curtains to kill and remove fleas and flea eggs.
• Use a Plant-Based Insecticide Spray: Our Bed Bug & Flea Killer spray will help to kill and repel fleas. It can be applied to areas where fleas have been seen. Since fleas in the pupa stage are protected in their cocoon, plan to treat multiple times to catch emerging adult fleas.
• Use an Insecticide Dust: Our Spider & Insect Dust and Bed Bug Killer dust can be applied under furniture, near the edges of carpet, and other areas where fleas are active. Dusts provide longer-lasting protection against pests. 

What are your go-to strategies to get rid of fleas at home? Post a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

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