Fleas are a pet owner's worst nightmare, but you don't necessarily have to have a fuzzy friend as part of your household in order to suffer an infestation. These tiny, blood-sucking insects aren't as picky as we'd like to think. Dogs, cats, rats, mice, raccoons, and even humans all serve as suitable hosts for these pesky parasites.
Despite how common fleas are, they are an immense challenge to even identify in your home. You may not even notice them except by brief glimpses, little black slivers in your pet's fur, or something leaping off your arm before you can blink. In this post, we'll outline the best way to get to the bottom of a flea infestation, starting with solid flea identification and ending with the key to successful treatment.
How To Tell If It's Fleas In Your Westchester County Home
Fleas are very tiny, very flat insects that look like tiny black specks. If you have pets, be alert and on watch for the tell-tale scratching behind their ears, under their chins, the base of their tails, and under their legs. It won't look like their normal grooming, it will be much more startled and frantic, and it will occur much more often. Fleas cause intense irritation to animals' skin through their saliva, so if your pets seem abnormally itchy, it may be time to take a closer look. Part the fur and try to inspect the skin around all the places mentioned above where they bite and scratch themselves. Similarly, inspect your carpets for any signs of these tiny parasites.
The Dangers Fleas Bring To Westchester County Homes
Besides being a terrible nuisance to you and causing any pets a lot of pain and irritation, fleas bring a bunch of health hazards to their hosts, humans and animals alike. They can spread disease and trigger allergies with their saliva and fecal matter, they can cause secondary skin problems due to the incessant scratching their bites can cause, and can even cause pets to develop anemia with their constant parasitic blood feasts. Fleas brought in from rodents can also infamously carry the Black Plague.
Natural Flea Prevention Tips For Westchester County Homes
Fleas are stealthy and prolific pests making them extremely difficult to get rid of once they've taken root in your home. Due to this, prevention is key. Here are a few of the most effective ways to prevent fleas and keep them from finding their way into your Westchester home.
Trim grass and bushes to ensure limited flea habitation in your yard
Treat your pets with vet-approved medicines regularly, brush them often
Vacuum thoroughly and frequently to catch any eggs laid in your carpets
Partner with a knowledgeable professional
Despite your best efforts to keep fleas away, you still may find yourself dealing with a flea problem. In the end, protect your pets and your family members from fleas by reaching out to the pest experts at Parkway Pest Services.
The Secret To Getting Rid Of Fleas In Westchester County Homes
Unfortunately, a flea infestation can prove impossible to cure on your own completely. The tiny parasites are surprisingly prolific and durable for their size, so even constant vacuuming and do-it-yourself poison treatments often won't cut it. Their eggs are especially hard to destroy, and even a single clutch left clinging to your carpet in a corner somewhere will ensure a swift resurgence of the insidious little creatures. This means that ultimately, your best bet for complete flea control in Westchester County will be to reach out to the professionals at Parkway Pest Services. For quick and comprehensive flea control treatments coupled with proven prevention measures to secure your home for the foreseeable future, the certified technicians at Parkway Pest Services are only a call away. Act now, and reclaim the comfort of your home for yourself, your family, and your pets.