Flea Identification & Prevention

Fleas are ectoparasites, feeding on the blood of their hosts from the outside of their bodies. Some of a flea's favorite hosts are cats, dogs, deer, rodents, raccoons, skunks, and other wild animals. While people aren't a flea's preferred host, they will bite us and feed on our blood if they are living with us. 

Fleas are known for their tiny size. Looking like a speck of dirt, most people don't notice them until they use their strong back legs to jump. 

Fleas have a reddish-brown body that is oval and flattened from side to side. Their body shape and powerful legs help them move effortlessly through the fur of an animal host. 

There is no reason to share your property with fleas; limiting your contact with these blood-feeding pests is always best.

Fleas are annoying, biting pests that make people and animals miserable. Most of their hosts are allergic to their saliva and will develop red, itchy rashes around the bite sites. Scratching at the itchy bites leads to scarring or secondary infections. Fleas also spread some diseases and parasites like tapeworms.

Fleas live outdoors and travel with their hosts across wooded areas, yards, fields, and other outdoor spaces. After females lay their eggs, they fall off the backs of their animal host to the ground below, where they develop into new biting adults. 

The more wild animal activity you have on your property, the more likely fleas will find their way onto your property. Fleas also get into our yards on the backs of our pets and neighborhood pets. 

Fleas regularly enter our homes after jumping onto our pets, our clothing, or on the back of a rodent that has moved into a house to nest. They also are introduced unknowingly by homeowners after bringing inside secondhand items like rugs or furniture infested with flea eggs or larvae. 

Fleas are hearty insects and can survive in almost any habitat, but they do best and prefer places that offer moisture, humidity, and shade. Fleas don't like to hang out in open sunny areas.

Some of their preferred hiding spots include under decks, shrubs, woodpiles, leaf litter, and sandy areas. In addition, any place where wild animals live is where fleas gather in large numbers.

In our homes, fleas hang out in dark areas like carpets, upholstered furniture, pet bedding, and our bedding. 

Partnering with a local pest control expert is always best to prevent large numbers of fleas from taking over your yard or moving into your home. At Squash-A Bug Pest Control, we provide fast action and safe pest control solutions.

Our professionals are passionate about pest control and passionate about our customers. Trust us with all your pest control needs; our professionals perform high-quality, customized services to meet the unique needs of all our customers. 

Call today to learn more about guarding your Atlanta Metro or Southeast Florida property and family against fleas!

Use the following prevention tips to reduce the number of fleas living on your Georgia or Florida property.

• Reduce wild animal activity by removing bird feeders and wild animal feeders and keeping lids on trash cans. 
• Keep your grass cut short.
• Maintain a crushed stone barrier between any grass or mulch and the exterior of your home.
• Regularly vacuum your house and wash bedding to remove stray fleas. 
• If you own pets, place them on a year-round flea control program under the guidance of their veterinarian. 

Reach out to learn more about our flea control offerings.