The summer months are coming to a close, with cooler temperatures quickly approaching. If your family pet suffers from fleas, then the autumn months are the perfect time to take the necessary steps to remove any flea eggs are pupae that may be lying dormant in specific areas of your home.  Fleas spend most of their time living on an animal and they thrive in hot, humid conditions, but during the time between fall and spring, the flea’s eggs, larvae and pupae can be found in the environment surrounding the pet such as the carpet, bedding, or underneath furniture.

Fleas are small insects that act like parasites. Fleas live off of the warm-blooded animals and collect nutrients by attaching themselves to a host and using their skin piercing mouths. The four stages of a flea’s life are egg, pupae, larvae and the adult stage. Female fleas would lay eggs every time they feed and after a few days or weeks, a female flea can lay up to 300-400 eggs.

Pets are the most susceptible to fleas because of how low to the ground they are. Fleas have the natural ability to jump as high as 7 inches from the ground and they thrive in moist, humid conditions. Fleas can fall off an animal if they were to be scratched off. The downside is that if a flea were to be scratched off inside your home, the adult female flea can lay their eggs in places such as your carpet, bedding or attach themselves to another pet inside your home.  The most common signs that your pet has fleas are

• Scratching or gnawing of the skin
• Dry skin
• Red Eyes
• Small red sores
• Tapeworms found on their faces
• Dark flakes of dried blood.

If the homeowner suspects an infestation of fleas in the home or on the family pet, then proper flea removal and extermination is recommended. The home should be thoroughly vacuumed and cleaned in the areas that see the most foot traffic. Pay special attention to the areas of your home that have carpeting, low furniture, and where your pet usually sleeps. Once the home is cleaned, use an insecticide to eradicate any fleas that may be left. We recommend that you hire pest control specialists to apply the insecticide. After the use of insecticide, vacuuming should take place daily to avoid fleas from repopulating. The entire process of flea removal can take about a month. The key to complete flea remediation is persistence and patients. This is very solvable issue that, when done right, can save time and money in the long run.