Common Flea Myths You Need to Understand

From roaches and mice to ants and termites, you may be familiar and concerned with the different pests that can enter your home. Unfortunately, you may not place enough emphasis on flea prevention and control.

Even though they are considered a very common external parasite, most people do not understand fleas, how they affect your pets and home, or the different techniques used to prevent or treat a flea infestation. Learn the truth behind these common myths so you can have a better understanding of fleas.

Fleas Affect Your Pets Only

Fleas can wreak havoc on your pet's health and cause them to scratch excessively and intensely. This constant scratching will lead to hair loss, skin irritations, and even infections in some cases.

In addition to affecting your pet's exterior skin and coat, a flea can lead to internal issues, such as tapeworm and anemia. While the effects on your pet's wellness should be easy to see, fleas can also affect you and your family's health.

They may not make your skin home, but fleas will bite you. These bites can cause you to scratch the skin around the bite, which can be uncomfortable and also dangerous if the area becomes infected. In addition, fleas carry numerous diseases, such as cat scratch fever and plague, which can be transmitted to you if you are bitten.

Knowing the dangers fleas pose to your pets is smart. However, knowing that fleas can affect you and your family's health is also important.

Pet Flea Prevention Is Sufficient

If you have a dog or cat, you probably already understand the importance of flea prevention. Therefore, you may give your pet medication or apply an ointment topically to prevent fleas and even ticks. However, these flea medications may not be enough to prevent fleas from attacking your pet and infesting your home.

Many of the flea prevention products that you give your pet will only kill adult fleas. Remember that adult fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day. These eggs may remain on your dog or cat until they hatch, since many of the flea medications do not target eggs.

In addition, many eggs may fall off your pet, onto your carpet, rugs, and furnishings, resulting in a flea infestation that affects not only your pets, but also you and your home.

Your veterinarian will help you control fleas on your pet. However, pest control professionals can help treat your home for fleas and ensure fleas in all stages of the life cycle are eradicated.

Fleas Don't Infest Clean Homes

Another myth you may believe is that fleas will not infest a home that is clean and organized. If you have a good amount of food debris and clutter in your home, it may be appealing to roaches, mice, and some other pests. Fleas, on the other hand, do not care if your home is dirty or clean.

In most cases, fleas infest your home after catching a ride on your pet's body. Fleas are attracted to blood and warmth, so not only will they try to hitch a ride on your pets, but they may also jump on you.

Fleas prefer warm environments, so once they get comfortable on you, your pets, or in your home, they will not want to leave. Whether your home is clean or dirty, fleas are most attracted to blood as their food source and environments that range around 65 degrees or higher.

Even though they are small and not considered as much as roaches, termites, and spiders, fleas are pests that need to be understood and controlled. For help preventing or treating a flea infestation, contact Bobby Grisson's Pest Management today.