How Spring Homeowners Can Keep Fleas Away From Their Yards

Owning property in Spring is a real blessing, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t susceptible to local problems and natural pest populations. When it comes to flea activity in your Spring yard, it’s important to understand the threat these pests pose and what we can do as property owners to protect ourselves moving forward. Fleas are parasitic pests that pose a year-round threat for property owners in Spring. They’re commonly associated with pets, but they also pose a threat to humans, meaning that you should avoid a flea infestation at all costs.

A flea infestation can be a frustrating nightmare because fleas are so tiny that they can be difficult to see with the naked eye. They’re very minuscule vector pests that may be attached to their hosts for long periods of time before actually getting detected. Because fleas are so small and sneaky, an infestation can happen quickly and be hard to control.

The first step to get you started in your flea control efforts is identification. As soon as you can identify fleas, you can begin identifying an infestation, and the faster you can address any problems. Here are some common ways in which you can locate fleas, helping you remain proactive in your pest control efforts:

Fleas are insects that are small, flat, and flightless.
Fleas are external parasites of mammals and birds.
Fleas are ectoparasites that measure around 1/8 inches in length.
Fleas gravitate towards furry hosts, as they’re easier to latch onto.
Fleas are usually a dark reddish-brown color.
Flea larvae look like tiny specks leaping around on the floor, while adult fleas resemble dark sunflower seeds.
Fleas, as adults, have three pairs of powerful jumping legs, allowing them to travel from one place to another.
Fleas cannot technically jump, but they’re able to hitchhike to new places and then attach to other surfaces.
Fleas frequently inhabit areas where your pets lay down, like couches, bedding, and carpets.

Once fleas find a suitable host, they use their biting mouthparts to pierce their host’s skin and feed on their blood. Once they get the sustenance they need from their host’s blood meal, they start reproducing. As fleas lay their eggs and travel to other sites throughout your property, they spread their populations and grow the infestation even further.

While it can be hard to detect flea activity, you may see small, black flea droppings or small flea eggs that resemble dandruff. Whether you notice signs of flea activity or not, it’s a good idea to address your flea control and prevention needs. The best way to protect your property from flea infestation is to get in touch with your local pest professionals. That’s why we’re here. The team at Modern Pest Control is here to keep you protected from fleas all year long.

Why Fleas Infest Spring Yards In The Summer

Now that you have the knowledge necessary to identify individual fleas, you’re probably wondering why fleas infest in the first place? More specifically, why do fleas infest Spring yards in the summer?

Something to keep in mind is that fleas are parasites that prefer feeding on hairy mammals, as it’s easier for them to latch onto furry hosts. When you think about your pets and local wildlife roaming around your yard, it’s usually something that happens more frequently in the summer months. Warm weather means increased animal activity, and that means an increased presence of fleas.

While pet owners are probably the most susceptible to experiencing flea infestation, the truth is that pet owners aren’t the only ones at risk. There are many different ways in which fleas find their way to your yard. Though pets often bring in fleas, they can also be brought in by stray animals, like certain wildlife, rodents, and birds.

When it comes to outdoor harborage spots, fleas usually hang out in the grass, fields, or woods. They hide in yard debris, dirt, grass, weeds, and bushes, waiting for wildlife to pass by so they can latch onto them. Suppose a neighboring property has a flea infestation. In that case, this increases the chance of your property becoming infested, especially if your pets play with each other and have exposure to other wildlife.

Fleas can easily find a way inside your home by attaching to your shoe or clothing as you pass by, unknowingly exposing your home to a possible infestation. Once they do get inside, they like to hide in bedding, furniture, cushions, and dog beds. They frequently find harborage in carpets, upholstery, curtains, and small cracks in the floor. It’s essential to be aware of areas in order to tackle your flea control needs effectively.

Another thing to keep in mind is that when fleas attach to their host, they mate and lay eggs. The eggs are small and oftentimes fall off of the host and land places around your property like bedding, blankets, clothing, etc. This is another common way for a flea infestation to spread throughout homes and businesses. Regardless of how they spread, the reality is they do just that – fleas spread, and when the problem gets out of hand, it can be very overwhelming. That’s why it’s vital to be proactive in protecting your property from flea activity.

Protect Your Pets From Fleas With These Prevention Tips

If you want to be proactive in your efforts to keep fleas away from your property, it’s a good idea to take precautionary measures. There are a few helpful tips to assist you in your flea control efforts. Let’s start with what you can do proactively as a pet owner to deter fleas. Protect your pets from fleas with these prevention tips:

Apply veterinarian-prescribed flea products to your pets.
Frequently vacuum, paying close attention to spaces where pets hang out.
Hose down your yard and other places frequented by pets.
Inspect visiting pets before bringing them into your home.
Periodically treat your pets with a flea bath or flea spray and use a flea comb.
Put a flea collar on household pets to repel fleas.
Wash and dry all bedding, linens, laundry, and upholstery that has come in contact with the animal.

Even if you don’t have pets, your yard is still at risk for flea infestation. As mentioned earlier, there are a variety of ways in which non-pet owners can have exposure to flea activity. Here are some helpful ways to reduce your chances of experiencing a flea infestation, even when you don’t have any pets:

Clear away yard debris and keep lawn and vegetation well-trimmed.
Clear clutter and clean carpets, floors, furniture, and crevices where fleas can easily hide.
Maintain a clean home in general, as proper sanitation is key when it comes to flea prevention.
Place flea traps on the floor to monitor flea activity within your home.
Regularly wash all bedding, linens, laundry, and upholstery on high heat.
Steam clean the carpet, curtains, and upholstered furniture.
Use outdoor flea repellent on the exterior of your home to reduce the chances of infestation.
Vacuum eggs and larvae and properly dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed trash can.

It’s always great to be proactive in your flea prevention efforts. However, even our best efforts can sometimes go unrewarded. Sometimes fleas can find a way onto your property anyway, and rather than deal with the headache of eliminating fleas on your own, it’s best to rely on the pros. Modern Pest Control is proud to offer year-round coverage from fleas and the consequences that come with infestation.

Why Call A Professional Service If Fleas Infest Your Home

As we’ve reviewed, even though fleas are small pests, they can cause large-scale infestation. As vector pests, fleas can transmit diseases to their hosts and cause a long list of adverse health effects.

Household pets often suffer allergic reactions to fleas, causing scabs and fur loss at the bite sites. They can also suffer from anemia due to too much blood loss. When it comes to humans, flea bites can be just as threatening. They can cause itchiness and infection, and if the host is allergic to fleas, they can suffer allergic reactions that can range from mild rashes to full-blown hives and anaphylaxis.

Whomever their chosen host may be, the fact of the matter is that fleas are dangerous, and they are capable of spreading a variety of bacterial diseases and vector illnesses. Some of the health conditions related to fleas include:

Tungiasis
Bartonellosis (“cat scratch disease”)
Bubonic plague
Tapeworm
Tularemia
Murine typhus

Flea-borne illnesses and reactions can become serious. If an infestation is left undetected and untreated for extended periods of time, the problem can worsen, and the risks can increase. That’s why you should call in the professionals to address all your flea control and prevention needs.

If you’re wondering how fast a population of fleas can grow, consider the fact that one flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs in its lifetime, and its lifespan only lasts up to 25 days. That’s why it can be extremely difficult to deal with fleas. Just when you think you’ve gotten rid of them, another group of them pops up, and the whole nightmare begins again. The best thing to do is call a professional Spring pest control service if fleas infest your home.

Why Professional Flea Treatment From Modern Pest Control Is Worth It

As discussed, a flea infestation can be hard to control around your property. Another reason for this is that they’re rather resilient pests that can go long periods without feeding. When fleas feed on the blood of their host, be it human or animal, they are capable of surviving long periods of time without food. Due to their ability to last a long while without food, they can easily survive in a home without a host for considerable amounts of time.

In fact, fleas can go over 100 days without feeding, so it can be hard to know where they are at all times and how long they’ve been there. That’s why it’s hard to detect an infestation in its earliest stages. The best thing you can do is be proactive in your flea control efforts. That’s where we come in.

Since 1952, Modern Pest Control has been providing complete flea control solutions to homes and businesses throughout Katy and the greater Houston, TX area. We use the latest pest control strategies and most advanced methods to tackle your flea infestation from the inside out. Our philosophy is to deliver prompt, personalized pest control our customers can count on.

Our flea control process includes the following:

Inspection - This includes a thorough walk-through and inspection of both the interior and exterior of your property. We will determine areas where fleas are active, as well as harborage areas and potential entry points. After that, we develop a customized treatment strategy to tackle your flea problem effectively.
Service - We’ll treat your home/facility, garage, and the perimeter of your structure to eliminate flea activity. We develop our treatments to cater to your needs and the specific needs of your property.
Follow-Up - We offer ongoing flea control services to make sure your home or business is fully protected from flea infestation all year long. Our service technicians are here to bring you superb customer service and the lasting results that you deserve.

From the very beginning, our ultimate goal is to bring you complete satisfaction. Our treatments tackle your flea infestation from the inside out, making sure to eliminate all eggs, larvae, and active adult fleas from the premises. We bring property owners the type of flea coverage that only the experts can achieve.

Not only are our solutions customized, but they’re guaranteed to bring you pest-free results you can feel good about. That’s why professional flea treatment from Modern Pest Control is worth it. Call today for all your flea control and prevention needs.