Flea infestations are among the most difficult pest infestations to get rid of. These tiny pests live and feed on animals but they will bite humans if they’re given the chance. Flea infestations can happen out of the blue after one or two fleas are brought into a home. They reproduce quickly and are capable of hopping on and off their hosts to survive. In most cases, fleas prefer to live in the fur of your pets or wild animals, although they can survive for up to 100 days without a host.
Flea Infestation Signs
If your home has a flea infestation, you might be able to identify these signs of their presence.
- On your pets: Fleas can be seen in your pet’s fur. They may move away or jump as you examine your pet. You may also find spots of red or black fecal matter on your pet’s skin. In severe cases, pets may exhibit signs of reddened skin and hair loss.
- Excessive scratching: If you find yourself or your pets scratching excessively, it could be a sign that fleas have infested your property. Fleas commonly target the hindquarters of dogs and the face and neck of cats.
Why Natural Flea Remedies are Ineffective
Many Ney York pet owners decide to try natural remedies to prevent and eliminate flea infestations. If you can do it yourself, that’s the easiest option, right? A few of the most common natural remedies include:
- Water and dish soap trap
- Rubbing baking soda or salt into carpets and vacuuming it up
- Rosemary powder
- Herbal flea sprays
- Flea-repelling plants, such as lavender, pennyroyal, and spearmint
While these natural remedies may help when it comes to deterring fleas from a home without a current infestation, they aren’t effective or strong enough to eliminate an active outbreak. Fleas reproduce at a rapid rate, and eggs roll off a pet’s skin. If even one or two eggs, larvae, or adult fleas survive your home-made flea treatments, your flea infestation won’t be resolved. In prolonged flea infestations, your pets may experience potential health risks related to being bitten, such as skin infections caused by excessive scratching, anemia, tapeworms, or flea allergy dermatitis.
If your New York property has a flea infestation, it’s important to work with your vet and a trusted pest control provider to come up with an effective solution. Equip your pets with vet-approved flea collars and contact Parkway Pest Services for a wide variety of flea control and prevention services. Our service technicians are ready to assist you with all your pest problems. Reach out to Parkway Pest Services today for answers to all your pest control needs.