They don’t sell flea collars for humans, so that must mean fleas aren’t people pests, right? Unfortunately, wrong. Although our furry friends are the most greatly affected by fleas, humans are still susceptible to having issues with these annoying dangerous bugs.
They don’t sell flea collars for humans, so that must mean fleas aren’t people pests, right? Unfortunately, wrong. Although our furry friends are the most greatly affected by fleas, humans are still susceptible to having issues with these annoying dangerous bugs. How do flea infestations start, and what should you be doing around your New Braunfels property to keep them out?
How Many Fleas Are There?
There are around 2,500 different species of fleas around the world, but only a few live here in Braunfels. To keep things simple for you today, we will be only talking about the most common species of fleas, cat fleas.
What Are Cat Fleas?
The cat flea, also known as Ctenocephalides felis, is primarily found feeding and living on cats and dogs. If no cats or dogs are around for these pests to feed on, they will look for other sources of blood to satisfy their hunger. This often drives cat fleas to feed on humans.
Identify a cat flea by its small, ¼” long body, and dark brown color. Wingless by nature, this smaller pest uses its powerful legs to get around. In general, fleas can jump over 150 times their height, allowing them to easily travel and find new hosts.
Every flea goes through four stages of development; egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. Eggs are typically laid inside the fur of animals, in cracks and crevices around homes, or inside carpets. Most eggs laid on animals eventually fall onto surrounding areas. On average, it takes 12 days for a larva to fully mature.
How Do Flea Infestation Start?
Fleas get into homes in many ways. Most often, they hide inside the fur of wildlife to get close and then hop onto our pets to get indoors. In certain cases, fleas might get indoors on the backs of larger pests like mice, rats, birds, or bats. If all else fails, fleas might crawl or jump through cracks, gaps, or other openings in a home’s exterior.
The Dangers Of Fleas
Most blood-feeding pests are dangerous, and fleas are no exception. If you are wondering how dangerous these pests are, consider the 1300s Black Plague, which killed 75-200 million people and was primarily spread by fleas. Although not as dangerous today, fleas still pose several health risks to humans and spread a range of contaminants to both people and pets.
How To Prevent Fleas
Although fleas are small, they are not impossible to prevent. To reduce your New Braunfels home’s chances of an infestation, here are a few prevention tips to use:
- Reduce clutter and debris around your yard.
- Store firewood, lumber, and other building materials at least 30 feet from your home.
- Address moisture issues around your home.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior using a caulk gun or some liquid cement.
- Fix ripped window/door screens and make sure weatherstripping is in good order.
- Install a fence around your yard and garden.
- Invest in flea and tick prevention for your furry pets.
Getting Rid Of Fleas
When fleas invade, they don’t go away without a fight. To ensure the fleas inside your home get the boot, let the professionals at Pinnacle Pest Defense help. We will provide your New Braunfels property the comprehensive treatments and services needed to deter these dangerous pests year-round.
Contact our professional exterminators in New Braunfels today for advice on how to handle any pest problem or assistance eliminating pests!
