WHAT AIKEN PROPERTY OWNERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FLEA INFESTATIONS

Fleas are miserable pests. They can plague your dog or cat with bites, make them sick, cause them to have bare patches of skin, and scabs on their skin, and more. They can also plague you, your spouse, and your kids with itchy bites, or make you sick. The most common disease fleas spread to humans is Murine typhus, which comes with symptoms such as rash, body aches, fever, loss of appetite, chills, couching, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. When fleas get into your home, it is vital to catch them early and get rid of them quickly.

Early Flea Detection

You may not notice you have a flea problem until you find bites on your skin, or see tiny insects leaping at you from the floor. A flea infestation can come out of nowhere. But, if you're keeping an eye out for the threat, and if you have a dog or a cat, you can catch them early. Your dog or cat will start to scratch when fleas start to bite. If they do, get a flea comb and drag it through your pet's fur or hair. Inspect the comb for flea dirt and watch for fleas on your pet.

Protect Your Pet

Before your pets get fleas, think about how to protect your pet—and yourself:

• A flea and tick collar is a good start. Talk with your veterinarian about which collar is right for your pet, and your family. A collar isn't always the best choice if people are sensitive to them. Also, be aware that a collar won't give your pet 100 percent protection from fleas.
• If you have a dog, it is a smart idea to build a fenced-in play area if you don't already have one. Dogs have a habit of exploring places where fleas hide.
• Keep your dog on a leash when you go outside.
• Invest in professional treatments to reduce fleas around your home. Fewer fleas around your home will result in a lower chance of infestation.

DIY Flea Reduction

There are ways you can reduce fleas on your own without the help of a pest professional, and without investing in a residential pest control program. These tips require more work on your part, and they won't give you the same level of protection, but we want you to be as protected as possible until you decide to make an investment in ongoing pest control service for the health of your family and the protection of your property:

• Fleas need moisture. If your perimeter is dry and sunny, it will be harder for fleas to develop. You can reduce moisture in many ways, such as cleaning your gutters, removing plants in dense areas of vegetation, trimming tree branches, and watering your plants in the morning.
• Fleas are most likely to develop in areas of animal harborage. This is because developing larvae need flea dirt to survive. Larvae can't bite and feed on animal blood. They get blood from flea dirt, which is the feces of adult fleas. When you protect harborage locations with wire fencing, you can have a big impact on flea populations.
• As a wild animal moves through your yard, it will drop flea eggs and flea dirt. If enough are dropped in one spot, fleas can develop. This can happen when an animal comes to rest in a hiding place. Removing objects from your yard can reduce hiding places for wild animals and reduce the potential for fleas to develop near your home.

What To Do When You Find Fleas

When your pet starts to scratch, it is time to get to work. 

There are many things you can do to address a flea infestation quickly:

• Bathe your pets with appropriate products suggested by your vet.
• Clean pet bedding and vacuum areas where your pets lie down.
• Vacuum your rugs and floors.
• After vacuuming, always dispose of the vacuum bag outside.
• Clean the bedding and linen from your bed, especially if your pet lies on your bed.

If you take these steps, you may be able to stop the infestation, but the best solution for a flea infestation is to contact a licensed pest control professional and have your home treated. For assistance with pest control treatments in Aiken, reach out to Aiken Pest Control. We will help you take a bite out of flea infestations before fleas take a bite out of you.