Fleas are annoying and dangerous external parasites throughout the country for most of the year. In Washington, D.C., fleas will stay active until the middle or end of the fall. But if they can get inside your home, these blood-feeding creatures can feed off you and your pets all year.
If you see fleas around your home, our Washington, D.C. flea control specialists know what to do. We are a locally-owned and family-owned company dealing with some of the most relentless pests since 1943. To ensure that these bothersome bugs don't take over your home, here is what you need to know about flea prevention and elimination.
Flea Biology, Behaviors, and Risks
Fleas are tiny insects that need to take regular blood meals to survive. Shortly after a female flea feeds, she can lay between 50 and 90 eggs a day. The flea will usually lay the eggs on or near the blood host. When the egg hatches, the larva will eat the female's flea droppings, also known as flea dirt. After a few weeks, the larva will make a cocoon and enter the pupa stage, which can last for a few days or months. Once the adult flea breaks free from the cocoon, it must find a blood meal as soon as possible. If it cannot eat within 24 hours, it will most likely not survive.
Because fleas are found on animals more than any other object, our flea exterminators suggest that you apply flea and tick-preventative medication on your pets all year long. Also, check your pet's fur regularly to ensure no fleas are hitching a ride back to your home.
Tips To Deter Fleas From Your Washington D.C. Home
Most flea control specialists suggest focusing on flea prevention for your pets to reduce your chances of flea infestation. While keeping the fleas away from your furry friends is a good idea, you could accidentally bring these bugs into your home by moving infested second-hand furniture or other flea-infested objects into your house. Some of the things that you can do to reduce your chances of having fleas in your home include:
- Check clothing and other second-hand objects thoroughly before bringing them into your home.
- Vacuum your floors and furniture often.
- Make sure that your pets don't walk in tall grass.
- Use flea-prevention medications on your pets all year long.
- Wash your bedding often.
Fleas can only go a few days without eating. Once inside your home, they will hide in your carpet, your pet's bed, or any other high-traffic area of your home where they are more likely to catch a quick snack.
Because their small size allows them to hide in small crevices of your home, you will need to have a professional flea exterminator inspect your house to determine the severity of the infestation.
Why DIY Flea Treatment Are So Ineffective
Many sites carry a variety of pesticides and other "home remedies" that promise to get rid of the fleas fast. The problem with most of these products is that they only eliminate adult fleas if they work. Another problem is that if you are unfamiliar with the proper way to apply insecticides, you could suffer serious injury. If you see your pet scratching a lot or think that fleas have gotten into your home, the most effective way to get rid of them is to call a flea removal service near you.
The Best Solution When Fleas Are Biting In Washington D.C.
Fleas are not a problem you can ignore and expect to disappear. You should give the professionals at Womack Pest Control a call today! Our experienced Washington D.C. flea control technicians can eradicate these problematic bugs from your home quickly to keep you and your pets safe all year long.