Even though they may not grow more than a sixteenth of an inch in length, that doesn’t mean the fleas in Lake Worth aren’t dangerous or a cause of concern for local residents. Here’s what Lake Worth homeowners should know about whether fleas can kill you, spread disease, reproduce after biting you, and the best way to get rid of these pests once you have them.
Can Flea Bites Kill You In Lake Worth?
Considered a type of parasite, fleas need blood to survive. While they have an easier time feeding on animals since they can stay hidden under fur, they do still bite people. Fortunately, flea bites aren’t venomous, poisonous, or deadly and shouldn’t result in death unless you have an extreme allergic reaction.
Most of the time, flea bites may leave itchy, red bumps behind that look similar to other bug bites. Fleas do have the potential to carry dangerous diseases, which could put your life at risk if left untreated. If you are allergic to fleas, your body may overproduce histamine after you’ve been bitten, and in rare cases, this can lead to anaphylaxis.
Keep in mind that fleas bites may not kill you, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. Not only can they spread disease to humans, but they can also harm animal hosts. When they contract fleas, your pets may experience excessive itching and scratching, leading to a secondary skin infection or loss of fur.
Do Fleas In Lake Worth Spread Disease?
The biggest danger that fleas cause is the potential diseases they may spread, such as:
- Murine typhus: While it’s rare, murine typhus can spread from rats to fleas and, from there, be passed on to people. Some of the most common symptoms include nausea, severe headaches, high fever, and chills.
- Bubonic plague: Most people recognize this disease from the Middle Ages, but you can still contract it from fleas today. Some symptoms of this disease include gangrene in your extremities, extreme muscle weakness, high fever, chills, and abdominal pain.
- Tularemia: This disease can still include the sudden onset of symptoms like joint pain, gradual muscle pain, diarrhea, chills, and fever.
- Tungiasis: Another rare disease from fleas, tungiasis can be transmitted by sand fleas or chigger fleas.
Can Fleas In Lake Worth Reproduce On Human Blood?
While many people already know that fleas like to lay their eggs and start infestations while hiding in your pet’s fur, can they do the same thing to humans too?
Unfortunately, fleas can reproduce on human blood, but the good news is that this is rare and doesn’t happen very often. The usual feeding time for fleas is around ten to fifteen minutes, and to breed on human blood, they’d need to be able to feed freely – and most people notice a flea problem long before this happens.
To reproduce, dog fleas need around twelve hours of free-feeding, while cat fleas need closer to three days if they want to reproduce with viable new eggs. So, even if fleas can reproduce while they’re feeding on human blood, it’s much easier for them to lay eggs when they’re on a pet or animal versus a human being.
Keep in mind that some fleas, like cat fleas, can still survive solely on human blood if they need to, which is why flea infestations can still survive and thrive in homes that don’t have pets or animals.
How Do I Get Rid Of Fleas In My Lake Worth House?
Fleas may be small in size, but the risk of catching them in your Lake Worth home is big. Once these pests get inside, they can reproduce quickly, especially if they’re not caught immediately, and they’re allowed to feed freely on pets or humans. Fortunately, there is one effective way to get rid of fleas, and that’s with Above and Beyond Pest Control.
With decades of experience solving flea and other pest problems, you can rest assured that your Lake Worth home is in good hands. So, if you suspect your home may have a flea infestation, there’s no reason to let these pests run rampant any longer. Call us today at Above and Beyond Pest Control to get started with reliable residential pest control solutions.
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