How to Tell If You Have a Flea Infestation

Oh no, it’s a Flea!!

Many of us know the dreaded feeling you get when you discover a flea on your pet. Fleas are easy for owners to recognize but are not easy to eliminate once you have them in your home. If not treated quickly, flea infestations can explode and become incredibly difficult to get rid of. Learn to recognize the signs of fleas on your animals so you catch the problem and address them before it gets out of control.

Signs That Your Dog or Cat Has Fleas

• Scratching more frequently than usual
• Seems restless
• Losing hair
• More uncomfortable than usual

What to do if You Suspect Fleas

Inspect your pet
The first thing you’ll want to do is look for fleas on your pet. On dogs, look near the end of the tail and groin area. On cats, look on the head or neck. You can also use a flea comb and comb the hair in those areas. Flea combs have tines placed close together so the flea will get caught on the tines and be combed off the body (you will see them in the comb).

Look for fleas inside your house
Common places to look for fleas are on carpets or area rugs (especially where your pet likes to hang out), upholstered furniture, and inside your pet’s crate or bed. It can be helpful to have a pest infestation specialist come out to inspect these areas. Fleas like to hide and a trained eye will be more likely to find them.

Check your backyard
Backyards are a common breeding ground for fleas. If you have seen a flea on your pet or in your house, odds are it came from your yard. An easy way to test for fleas is to put on tall white socks and walk through a target area, constantly checking your socks for fleas. Common places to look include:

• Areas where your pets rest or play
• Under/on porches and decks
• Under/around bushes and trees
• Areas where leaves gather/pile up
• Any moist and shady areas

How to Get Rid of Fleas

If you discover fleas, prompt and thorough treatment is the key. You need to remember that you are not only treating for fleas, but also to get rid of all eggs, larvae, and pupae. If not treated promptly the fleas will be back before you know it.
Steps to get rid of fleas include:

1. Take your pet to the veterinarian to be treated for fleas
2. Clean your house thoroughly
3. Wash your linens and pet beds

If you are struggling with recurring flea infestations, or want to be sure the job is done right the first time, your best option is to call Tri-County Pest Control and let our experts take care of the flea infestation for you. We will develop a customized treatment plan based on the level and scope of infestation and get rid of your fleas quickly.
Catching a flea outbreak and treating it effectively the first time saves the homeowner a lot of time, money, and stress. Give us a call today and let our experts take care of the problem for you!