Why Do I Have Fleas In My Sumter County Home?

cat scratching

When you think about dangerous pests in Sumter County, you might imagine spiders, wasps, or even cockroaches. However, there is one widespread and potentially hazardous pest that many people don't even consider. Fleas in Sumter County can pose health risks, and they aren't just a problem for pets. In fact, even people who don't have any pets in the home can end up with an infestation. Read on to learn why fleas are such a problem and find out how you can prevent them.

What Do Fleas Actually Look Like?

Fleas are one of the smallest pests around, although they aren't invisible. They are usually only ⅛ of an inch long or smaller. They are a reddish-brown color, and they have oval-shaped bodies. They usually show up as small dark specks in animal fur or carpets.

Fleas bite both people and animals. However, fleas only live on animal fur. They don't use humans as hosts. Flea bites can spread many different illnesses such as bartonella and even the bubonic plague. They can also cause pets to continually scratch and bite at their fur, which can create sores.

Where Do Fleas Come From?

Fleas are spread from animal to animal. So, if you do have pets in the house, they can get them from encountering other animals, including other pets or even wildlife. But, while people with pets should be attentive to fleas, they can also be brought inside by other animals.

Having other pest problems can lead to fleas. Rodents are common carriers of these parasites, and other wildlife species like raccoons, squirrels, or even deer can spread fleas to your property. For these reasons, every household in the area should be aware of fleas and do what they can to keep them out.

Eight Flea Prevention Tips

Once fleas are already in your home, total flea control is difficult without assistance from residential pest control experts. However, there are steps you can take to prevent fleas if you don't have them already. Some of the most effective flea prevention tips are to focus on general rodent and wildlife prevention. Here is what you can do:

1. Clear up yard debris like leaf litter, animal droppings, and grass clippings.

2. Keep any plants such as trees and bushes trimmed on a regular basis.

3. Work with a veterinarian to protect any pets if you have them.

4. Keep floors clean and regularly vacuum to get fleas and flea eggs out of carpets.

5. Help deter other pests by keeping lids on all trash cans and removing debris from around the yard.

6. Keep kitchen spaces clean and wipe up crumbs and drink spills right away. Regularly wash dishes.

7. Seal up access points around the home by repairing holes and cracks in the walls and foundation.

8. Seek flea control assistance from residential pest control experts for ongoing protection throughout the year.

Get Help With Flea Control

The best way to prevent fleas is with ongoing pest control services from Sumter Pest Management. We can prevent and control rodents and wildlife that bring fleas around, and we can also handle fleas directly. Find out more about options for preventing and controlling fleas by giving us a call today to request a quote or an inspection.