If you think the cooler weather means you're safe from fleas, think again! Despite their size, cat fleas are hardy pests. They have a hard shell that protects them from being squished and, if they have a warm-bodied host, they can easily survive cold weather. With our Sacramento weather being milder than the northern parts of the US, they don’t have to struggle through the cold weather too much. This means their chance of surviving and remaining active year-round is much higher. Fleas have the potential to bombard a home at any point this winter. All they need is an opportunity.
Fleas can enter Sacramento yards on wildlife. From there, pets can pick them up and bring them inside. They can also come inside on clothing. Children playing in the yard can bring them in. And they may be brought inside on used furniture or other household items. Just a few flea eggs on a hand-me-down rug can turn into an overwhelming infestation quickly. Here at Pro Active Pest Control, we have some steps you can put in place to prevent fleas from coming to your property this year.
Flea Prevention Tips:
- Keep trash well sealed and confined to prevent it from attracting wildlife onto your property.
- Place bird feeders a good distance from the house, or remove them entirely.
- Clean up debris and trim bushes and tree branches. This will eliminate hiding places for wildlife and make your property less attractive.
- Consult your veterinarian to find out ways you can protect your pets against fleas.
- Inspect your clothes and any other materials before bringing them through your door.
- Vacuum and wash bedding (especially pet’s bedding) regularly.
Fleas can cause numerous health concerns. Their bites are red and itchy. Sometimes secondary infections can occur from the bite, such as allergic reactions and dermatitis. Cats and dogs can scratch so much that they’ll lose patches of fur. And fleas are capable of spreading diseases and parasites; tapeworm is a common parasite spread from fleas to pets. Unfortunately, fleas are extremely difficult to get rid of on your own. Most household vacuums don’t have the power needed to pick up the larvae and eggs from where they’ve attached themselves deep in your rugs and carpets. And they can be hidden in your furniture and other places in the house. Even after multiple attempts at DIY flea removal, fleas can appear over and over again. The easiest way to handle a flea infestation is to contact a pest control professional.
Put an end to itchy bites (on people and pets) by contacting Pro Active Pest Control. We will help you eliminate current infestation and help prevent new ones from occurring. With our modern pest control methods and products, you’ll no longer have to worry about pests within your Sacramento home. Read more about our residential and commercial pest control programs or contact us today.