Everything You Need To Know About The Fleas In Lake Worth

If you have a dog or a cat, it is likely that you already know something about fleas. You may have even dealt with a flea infestation at some point. But, whether you know a lot or a little about fleas, you should find some helpful information here. Let's take a look at flea pest control in Lake Worth, and examine a few key facts every resident should know about fleas.

How To Identify Different Types Of Fleas

In many cases, the identification of pest species is at the heart of pest control. There is a variance between species in terms of what baits they'll take or what treatments work.

Ctenocephalides felis (the cat flea) is the most common flea species in the United States. These are likely to be the fleas you'll deal with in your Lake Worth home, but if you have an infestation of another species of flea, most of the methods described in this article will apply to them as well.

The Life Cycle Of The Common Flea

A flea begins its life as a wiggly worm. In its wormy larval stage, a flea can't bite you. It depends on flea dirt for its sustenance. Flea dirt is the feces of adult fleas. Within this material, flea larvae can get a blood meal. Therefore, the conditions of a flea infestation are linked to the connection between flea eggs and flea dirt.

When larvae hatch from eggs, they will not develop in a location that does not also have flea dirt. When an animal makes a nest or beds down, the likelihood of eggs and flea dirt being close together increases. Flea control must consider the life cycle of fleas in order to be effective.

Three Reasons Fleas Are So Hard To Get Rid Of

When flea eggs and flea dirt are found in an area together, an infestation can occur. If this happens in your home, it can be frustrating. Here are three reasons why DIY flea control for your house can fall short:

1. Fleas tend to develop in hidden spaces such as compressed spots within a couch or an upholstered chair, in the edges around carpets, and inside recesses within your home. When you attempt to treat areas of infestation, topical products are not likely to get to where the fleas are developing. 
2. Many products used to get rid of fleas are not residual. As an example, diatomaceous earth can stop adult fleas but it does not impact flea eggs. You are likely to vacuum up that diatomaceous earth long before you arrest the infestation in your home.
3. Fleas can keep coming in. If you do not address the conditions that led to your flea infestation, you may continue to have fleas coming in even as you have some success eliminating fleas in your home.

If you don't want flea bites and you want to protect your pets from being harmed by fleas, you need a control solution that considers the life cycle of fleas and the challenges of flea removal. We suggest doing the following:

• Reduce wildlife activity on your property. Animals bring fleas into your yard and create conditions for flea development when they bed down or create a nest.
• Address moisture issues, such as dampness in your perimeter caused by a clogged or broken gutter system. Fleas need moisture to survive.
• Seal any entry points in your exterior that rodents could use to get inside. Your dog or cat are not the only animals that can bring fleas into your home.
• Make sure your pets have veterinarian prescribed flea control products, such as flea collars. Doing so will help to keep your pets from bringing fleas inside.
• If you discover fleas in your home, vacuum regularly, wash pet bedding, and apply veterinarian prescribed products to make your pets unsuitable as hosts for fleas.

If your flea infestation persists, contact a licensed pest professional for an indoor treatment. The products used by a professional are residual and stay in place long enough to address fleas that are protected inside their eggs.

Control, Extermination & Prevention Of Fleas

At Above And Beyond Pest Control, we provide indoor control and extermination for fleas, but this isn't the only way we can help you deal with flea problems, nor is it the best way. Why wait until you're getting flea bites? Routine treatments to the perimeter around your home can prevent flea development and deter fleas from living near your home where your dog or cat can pick them up.

Year-round pest control around your home will also pick up rodent activity and address these animals before they bring fleas or ticks inside. Reach out to us today to schedule a pest control evaluation and look at your options for flea and pest control. Life is a whole lot better without flea problems.