Fleas love to hop onto furry family members and hitch a ride into your house. These pests feed on blood, which is never fun for your pets or you. Spotting an infestation early will make it easier to get rid of fleas. Check out five signs that fleas have invaded your home.
1. Flea Sightings
Spotting fleas is one of the most obvious signs of an infestation. Fleas range in size from 1/12ʺ-1/6ʺ and have a dark, reddish-brown body. They’re found on pets, but can also be seen hopping around looking for a host. It’s possible to spot flea eggs as well. These are tiny, white or clear, and oval. Fleas lay eggs on the host, but they can also be found in carpet, under furniture, and in bedding.
2. Your Pet Scratching
When fleas bite your pets, it often irritates their skin. This can cause your furry family members to scratch more than usual. They may also lick and bite the area. Unlike their typical quick itch, they will consistently scratch the area. If you notice your pets scratching an abnormal amount, fleas may be responsible.
3. Changes in Your Pet’s Appearance
Flea activity can affect your pet’s appearance. Excessive scratching, licking, or biting can cause hair loss. They may also develop red patches on their skin. This can be a result of scratching but also from a reaction to flea saliva. If you’re dealing with a severe infestation, your pet’s gums may turn pale. This is a result of fleas feeding on their blood.
4. Flea Bites
Another sign of a flea infestation is spotting bite marks. Flea bites often cause itchy, red spots. These may pop up near your pet’s head, neck, armpits, and tail. While common flea species prefer animal hosts, they will feed on humans. This usually happens when infestations are large. Bites typically occur near ankles and can appear in clusters.
5. Flea Droppings
Flea droppings, sometimes referred to as flea dirt, are another sign of flea activity. These are small, black or reddish-brown specks. They resemble ground pepper. Flea droppings can be found on pets, their bedding, or the floor. If these specks have a reddish hue when wet, there’s a good chance they are flea droppings.
How to Get Rid of Fleas
No one wants fleas hanging around their home. Thankfully, there are things you can do to get rid of these pests. Check out a few tips to help keep your home free of fleas.
- Clean Your Home: Vacuuming and sweeping can help to remove fleas and their eggs from your house. Empty contents into a sealed bag and place it outside in a trash bin with a tight-fitting lid.
- Wash Pet Bedding: It’s important to wash your pet’s bedding to help get rid of fleas. Don’t forget to wash your pet’s favorite plush toy too.
- Contact Your Veterinarian: Work with your pet’s veterinarian to find the best treatment plan for your furry family member.
- Create a Protective Barrier: Spraying your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray, like our Yard Bug Spray, will help to get rid of fleas. It kills fleas on contact and will provide residual repellency, helping to keep fleas out of your yard and home.
- Use a Plant-Based Insecticide Spray: Spraying your pet’s bedding and areas where they spend time with a plant-based insecticide spray will help to keep fleas away. Our Bed Bug & Flea Killer spray kills adult fleas and provides residual repellency. While it can be used on household items, it shouldn’t be applied to pets.
Protecting your pets from fleas and other pests is always a priority. Knowing the signs of an infestation can help prevent the situation from getting out of hand. If pests are bugging you or your pets, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.