Why Do I Have Fleas In My Folsom Home?

At first glance, the flea’s tiny body, hard shell, and powerful hind legs may look harmless, but these pests are dangerous parasites that can cause all sorts of problems, including: 

  • They can transmit various diseases, including the plague, typhus, and even “cat scratch fever” from infected cats.

  • Fleas can be a host for tapeworms, and if you or your pet accidentally swallows a flea, you could also get a tapeworm.

  • Fleas may trigger allergies in people or pets.

But where do fleas come from, and how did they get into your home? Here’s what Folsom homeowners should know about the origin of flea infestations, how you can prevent them in your home, and what to do if you already see signs of a flea infestation. 

flea on skin

Where Do Fleas Come From?

Most flea infestations start outside or through another infected animal. When you’re hiking through the woods or taking your pet on a walk, fleas hide in shady areas and tall grasses. They’ll wait for a host, like a pet or a wild animal, to pass by, and then they’ll use their long, powerful hind legs to latch on. Their legs allow them to jump up to a hundred times their height, and once they’ve climbed onto a host, they’ll navigate to an area where your pet can’t easily scratch or bite them away – like the back of the neck and under limbs.

Because fleas can go up to three months between blood meals, these pests can go unnoticed on your property for months. While flea infestations are more common to start because your pet has picked them up, flea infestations can start in other ways. Even if you don’t have pets, you can still get fleas. These pests aren’t picky about their hosts, and they’ll often latch onto wildlife hosts, like rodents and raccoons. If you’ve got a rodent infestation or other wildlife hanging around your property, those fleas could migrate into your home.

How To Prevent Fleas In Folsom

Although fleas can go unnoticed for long periods around your property, there are a couple of ways you can prevent them in your home, such as:

Avoid common flea hiding spots: If you like to take your pets on hikes or trails, be sure to avoid common flea hiding spots, like tall grasses, overgrown bushes and shrubs, and other shady areas.

Keep up with lawn maintenance:  It’s essential to maintain regular yard maintenance, like mowing your lawn and trimming shrubs, to limit places where fleas can hide.

Deter wildlife hosts: Since fleas may use wildlife hosts to get inside, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking steps to keep other wildlife pests off your property. This means keeping leftovers sealed, not leaving food scraps out, and sealing indoor and outdoor trash cans.

Get rid of yard debris: Get rid of yard debris around your property that may serve as a hiding spot for fleas or their hosts.

Frequently vacuum your home: As the infestation grows, fleas may hide and lay their eggs on carpets or furniture, so it’s important to vacuum your house frequently.

Treat your pets: If you have pets, you’ll want to treat them with flea treatments throughout the entire year, not just in the spring and summer.

Wash pet bedding: Pet bedding and other items your pet uses can also house flea or flea eggs, so it’s always a good idea to wash these items regularly.

Prevention is always the best plan of action when it comes to pest control.

The Most Effective Form Of Flea Control In Folsom

Although the tips above can limit where fleas hide or deter other wildlife hosts from bringing them in, they’re not always enough to completely rid your home of fleas – especially if you’ve got an existing problem. Fortunately, that’s where professional help from Neighborly Pest Management can come in handy.

With over forty years of experience serving Folsom and surrounding areas, our experienced specialists can provide effective, reliable treatments to get rid of flea activity around your property. If your pets constantly seem to be dealing with fleas, or you suspect that your property may have fleas, the best solution is a professional one. Contact us at Neighborly Pest Management for more advice and assistance about the next steps.