Dealing With Fleas in Your Home if You Have Dogs

If you notice that your dog is itching a lot or that they have small red sores that appear in a line, your dog may have fleas. Even if your dog isn't outside a lot, they can still bring in fleas. Take a look at how fleas get into your home and how to eradicate these pests before they become a big problem.

Although it's easier for dogs to bring in fleas if they are outside a lot or if you live in a wooded area, even a short walk around the neighborhood can leave your dog open to fleas. Once a few fleas latch on, they can get inside your home and hide out wherever your dog sleeps.

Your dog can also pick up fleas from other pets at the vet's office, a boarding facility, or a dog park. Your pet doesn't even need to be in terribly close contact with other animals. Fleas are actually amazing jumpers and can jump distances more than 150 times their body length.

If you have a bird feeder or a bowl of water for your dog outside, these offerings can be tempting for other pests, such as mice and raccoons. If wild animals get into your yard, they can leave behind fleas, ticks, and other parasites that can latch on to your dog.

Fleas can make your dog miserable and itchy; fleas can also cause your dog to develop allergies. The proteins in flea saliva can cause allergic reactions and infections that may require veterinary care.

Besides being a danger to your dog, fleas can be hazardous to you and your family's health. Fleas carry bacterial strains like Bartonella henselae, which can cause cat-scratch fever.

First, stay on top of vaccinations and administer any necessary oral medications to your dogs. You should also brush your dog's coat every day with a fine-toothed comb to check and remove fleas during peak seasons of activity. Fleas typically like to hide near the armpits and groin. Although they are tiny, you can sometimes spot them; they are about 2.5 mm long with flat, reddish-brown bodies.

However, you cannot rely solely on brushing and medication to prevent and eliminate fleas. While medications may kill adult fleas, they don't work well on flea eggs and pupae. If you notice any fleas on your dog, focus on your home environment and yard as well.

Like bed bugs, fleas love to hide in cracks and seams of textiles. Vacuum your mattresses, carpets, and upholstery to remove these fleas. After vacuuming thoroughly, steam clean your carpets and wash all your clothing and bedding.

Like other pests, fleas like to hide in tall grass and in debris like dead leaves, so be sure to mow your yard regularly and rake up any debris. If you have a garden, you may want to ask a pest control technician or a home improvement store about nematodes. Nematodes are eel-like roundworms that like to eat flea eggs.

If you take good care of your home and yard, but fleas are still latching onto your dog and getting into your home, you may want to contact a pest control service. A pest control service can look for nooks and crannies where fleas may be hiding, and they can spray chemicals in your home and in your yard to kill any lingering fleas and deter others from invading.   

Reach out to Bobby Grisson's Pest Management for more information on how to get rid of and prevent fleas if you have dogs in your household.