flea is a parasite that attaches itself to a host and survives by feeding on the host’s blood. Most of the time it is the family pet that winds up inadvertently hosting these pests, so the effects of a flea infestation in your Everett home can not only expose your family to some terrible diseases but can cause emotional damage in seeing your beloved cat or dog dealing with these vermin crawling through their fur and making them ill. Read on to learn about the lifecycle of fleas, the diseases they can transmit, and how partnering with an expert Everett pest control company like Guard Pest Control can get rid of fleas in your home and keep them out.
The Lifecycle Of Fleas In Everett
Fleas in Everett have a life cycle that is built around their feeding habits. A female flea lays up to eight eggs on a host, usually after feeding on its blood. These eggs are about 1/5 of an inch long and take anywhere from one to 12 days to hatch. Over the next few weeks, the larvae that emerge will grow into pupae and then emerge as adults. This adult flea will then jump onto the first unwilling victim it can find, making it its new host; it then finds another flea to mate with and continues this cycle. Fleas can live up to a year on their host, but most only last a few days due to the host animal grooming itself. As you can see, a flea infestation can take weeks or months to end due to its rapidly repeating life cycle, which is why professional flea control is the best way to get rid of fleas.
The Diseases Fleas Can Transmit
A female flea can lay over 2000 eggs in her lifetime. Once they infest your Everett home, it is extremely difficult to get rid of them; their eggs, larvae, and pupae can be located in cracks in floors or tightly attached to carpet fibers, making them difficult to vacuum up.
There are also several health hazards caused by flea bites, including:
- Murine typhus
- Bubonic plague
- Tapeworms
- Anemia in pets
Flea saliva can also cause an allergic skin reaction causing dermatitis in humans and pets. There are many reasons why enlisting the help of a professional flea control company like Guard Pest Control will be the best way to get rid of fleas in Everett and quickly bring an end to the problems they are bringing into your home.
Natural Flea Prevention Tips
Partnering with a professional flea control company is the best way to get rid of fleas that have infested your home, but here are some prevention tips that may help you keep fleas out of your Everett home:
- Vacuum your home regularly, especially areas that your pets frequently occupy.
- Consult with your veterinarian on a flea prevention product for your pets that will keep them safe from fleas year-round.
- Give your pet a haircut if their fur gets too long.
- Do not bring used furniture or rugs into your home that may already have fleas hiding in them.
- Frequently wash your blankets and bedding, using hot water settings.
- Keep your grass cut short and trim back overgrown vegetation on your property.
- Patch up any entry points on the exterior of your home that might allow flea-covered rodents inside.
- Keep locking lids on outdoor trash bins that may attract rodents and other animals.
Since it is so difficult to get rid of fleas, prevention is the key, so practicing these tips could save you a lot of trouble with having to deal with a flea infestation in your home.
The Trick To Getting Rid Of Fleas In Your Everett Home For Good
Due to the difficulty in getting rid of fleas, because of their small size and incredible movement ability, the best option to get rid of them is to work with a company that performs expert pest control in Everett. At Guard Pest Control, we have all the tools and know-how you need to make your flea problem a thing of the past, no matter how large it might be. We are a locally-owned, locally-operated pest control provider and are dedicated to the highest standards of service and results in the industry. Since 2013, we have been committed to protecting your home and family from unwanted pests and the damage they cause.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services so we can make it safe again for you and your family.