Extermination fleas
An invasion of fleas very quickly turns out to be painful to live for all the residents of a house. This turns out to be even more complex when you have pets. Indeed, fleas are tiny wingless insects that feed on the blood of all mammals in your home, including humans. In case of infestation of these critters, how to proceed to get rid of them? Discover through this comprehensive guide the steps to take to eradicate fleas from your home.
What explains the presence of fleas in your home?
In general, these are the dogs and cats that bring fleas back into your interior. These small insects live on the hosts and constantly feed on their blood. Their bite causes itching and rashes.
Fleas can lay eggs between 20 to 50 eggs per day over a period of approximately two months. Egg-laying is very often carried out on their hosts. However, the eggs eventually fall to the ground depending on the animal’s sleeping.
These eggs can be found in the folds of a sofa, the grooves of the parquet floor, on the carpet, etc. They take about two to three weeks to reach adulthood. Their development is all the faster when the conditions of heat, humidity and the presence of host are favorable to them.
Thus, the contamination of a house by these critters can occur at an exponential rate. When eggs hatch at the same time, and in significant quantities, humans also face this threat. It is then not uncommon for us to feel bites at the level of:
- ankles;
- armpits;
- and at the elbow and knee folds.
By the way, fleas can also cling to you when you spend time with your pet.
The different signs of a flea infestation
Some signs are very characteristic of a flea infestation in your home. These include:
- your cat or dog scratching or biting compulsively;
- sores on your pet’s skin
- hair loss in your dog or cat around the infected area
- you or some family members are regularly stung in the lower legs, ankles or feet.
As soon as the first signs appear, do not hesitate to examine your pet by separating the hair around his neck. Also remember to examine its hindquarters. Observe well to see if there are fleas walking in his hair or on his skin.
These parasites usually measure between 1.5 and 2 mm. They are characterized by brown and black colors. On the other hand, their eggs are whitish and much more complex to perceive.
In addition, in case of infestation, you will certainly see small black grains on the skin of your pet. These grains can also be visible on pale surfaces of your interior namely: linoleum boards or kitchen countertops.
These are actually flea droppings. By spraying water on these grains, they turn red because of the blood residues present in flea chiures.
Are fleas dangerous for humans and pets?
In addition to their particularly unpleasant bites, fleas are able to transmit pathogens to humans through their saliva. When a flea bites your skin or that of your pet, it creates risks of transmission of bacteria.
The latter can lead to diseases such as: typhus, plague and cat’s scratch disease. In many cases, some animals carrying fleas may not suffer from any disease.
However, men who have been bitten by these same fleas can become seriously ill and even die from them without prompt intervention. Thus, certain specific precautions should be taken.
If you experience unbearable symptoms following a flea bite, do not hesitate to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Normal reactions to a flea bite can be summarized as follows:
- a small red pimple on the skin;
- itching that can last up to a week
- scratchy skin.
Flea bites can sometimes be confused with the bites of other parasites (bedbugs or mosquitoes). Call a doctor if in doubt.
How to eradicate fleas from home?
There are several tricks to get rid of fleas in your home.
Treat your pet
The first stage of extermination fleas is to treat your dog as well as all other animals in the house. Indeed, all animals must be treated in order to avoid further transmission of fleas between them.
Simply apply the product to certain specific parts of your pet: the skin, behind the neck, in places that he can not reach with his paw or tongue.
Calling on professionals
The best solution to permanently get rid of fleas at home is to use an extermination service. Indeed, a pest management company is the most suitable structure to help you eliminate fleas.
It has the necessary equipment and experience that you need to fight against these critters. In addition, professionals are willing to provide you with the appropriate advice to prevent further invasions. Do not hesitate to contact specialists, especially if you live in Montreal.