Why Are Fleas In Durham Hard To Get Rid Of?

How To Tell If It’s Fleas In Your Durham Home

Flea identification can be tricky. They are very small pests and may be difficult to catch, not to mention there are two types of fleas commonly found in North Carolina homes.

One of the most common species is the cat flea. Contrary to what the name might have you believe, the cat flea can be found on many different kinds of animals. These fleas can grow to around 1/16 of an inch, are dark reddish-brown, and have strong back legs. Their bodies are shaped like an apostrophe.

The dog flea looks a little different, though the differences may be next to impossible to see without a microscope. The dog flea can grow to around 1/8 of an inch, is brownish-black to black, is also apostrophe-shaped, and is covered in small hairs. 

If you see a flea, that’s one undeniable sign of their presence, but there may be other signs and symptoms, such as:

• Scratching, restless pets
• Hair loss on pets
• Itchy, rash-like bites on your ankles
• Flea eggs in the carpet
• Fleas or eggs on clothing or pet bedding

Fleas are parasites, meaning they mostly live on their hosts, but they can’t live on you as long as they can on fur-covered animals. You may find them hiding behind couches, in dog beds, in long carpet, between floorboards, and in other hard-to-see places.

The Dangers Fleas Bring To Durham Homes

The most significant danger to having these pests in your home is the list of flea diseases that can be transmitted through bites. As previously mentioned, fleas can transmit the plague, which infects around seven people every year. Other dangerous conditions include murine typhus and cat scratch disease, though tapeworm transmission is also possible.

Another threat fleas bring to homes is dermatitis. In both humans and pets, dermatitis is an allergic reaction to flea bites that results in intense itching and wounds that are at risk of secondary skin infections. 

Why Fleas Come Into Homes

Fleas most often come into homes on pets, which is why one of the most effective, natural flea treatments is protecting your pet against fleas. Some ways to do this include working with your veterinarian to keep them protected through medication, avoiding tall grass on walks, giving pets baths after walks, and frequently washing pet bedding and toys.

Another way fleas come indoors is through other disease-carrying pests like rats, mice, squirrels, and raccoons. If you have fleas inside and don’t have pets, it would be wise to call a pest control professional to see if you have unknown home invaders bringing fleas into your home.

Keeping fleas out by keeping other pests out may take some home maintenance and sanitization. If you’re unsure how to fortify your home against pests like rats and mice, a pest control professional near you can advise you on what attracts them and allows them inside your home.

Finally, fleas can come in on you. As hitchhiking bugs, fleas can cling to your clothing for short periods of time until they make it indoors, after which time they can hop back on for a blood meal whenever they want. On your own outdoor excursions, don’t walk through tall grass or greenery, and check your long-sleeved clothing before coming back indoors. Flea prevention is much easier than flea extermination.