When you think of pests in Conroe, Texas, you might imagine rodents, spiders, ants, and wasps, but there are other pests in the area that aren’t talked about as much. The flea is one of these problem pests that people tend to forget about, but the truth is that fleas are dangerous parasites that can cause a whole host of issues.
Fleas are only about an eighth of an inch long when fully grown, and they are reddish in color. But, since they’re so tiny, you might not notice them at first sight. Instead, common indicators of a flea problem include noticing flea droppings, that looks like coffee grounds, around your home or seeing that pets are scratching and biting their fur over and over.
Another misconception about fleas is that only households with pets can have an infestation. While it’s true that pets often carry fleas, even households that don’t have any pets can end up with fleas. The main thing to be aware of is that, unlike ticks, fleas don’t actually hitch a ride on human hosts but only live on animals.
How Do Flea Infestations Get Started?
If you have pets, an infestation can start when your pet brings fleas inside. Fleas usually spread from host to host, so your dog or cat could get fleas from another pet or wild animal.
But, whether or not you have pets, it’s still possible for wild animals or rodents to bring fleas into your property. Rodents like mice and rats are common carriers of fleas, and since they are also common pests, they are one of the main ways that fleas can get into your Conroe home.
Once inside, fleas are more than just a nuisance. They are known for spreading many illnesses such as Bartonella, typhus, as well as the notorious Bubonic plague. On top of the diseases, they can transmit to humans, fleas can also cause sickness in pets.
How Can You Prevent Fleas?
While it might be difficult to identify a flea infestation right away, you can take steps to keep an infestation from ever starting. The overall best way to keep these dangerous pests out is to focus on wildlife and rodent prevention since they are the main carriers.
Here are a few of the best and most effective flea prevention steps:
- If you do have pets, work with your vet to keep them protected.
- Keep rodents out of your property by keeping garbage cans covered with lids, cleaning up
- food and drink spills and installing door sweeps and weather stripping.
- Deter wildlife from coming onto your property by storing pet food inside, installing fences, and removing any bird feeders from around your yard.
- Vacuum carpets often and sweep and mop floors.
- Get in touch with pest control experts.
The Best In Flea Prevention
While it’s a good idea to take measures on your own to prevent fleas, the overall best way to protect your Conroe home is with help from the professionals at Chase Pest Control & Lawn Care.
With nearly 25 years of experience, we provide reliable residential pest control services that will keep wildlife and rodents away from your yard. We can also remove fleas from your home if you’re already dealing with an infestation. Just give us a call today at (936) 243-4307 to get started!