Fleas might not be the first pests that come to mind when thinking about household nuisances, but they can be just as troublesome as cockroaches, mice, or termites. These tiny, fast-moving insects are more than just an annoyance—they pose a serious threat to both your comfort and the health of your pets and family.
According to PetMD, fleas can carry several dangerous diseases for pests, including dog tapeworm and Mycoplasma haemofelis– a bacterium that causes anemia in cats.
If overlooked, a flea infestation can quickly spiral out of control, making them one of the most unwelcome pests to invade your home.
If you’ve been dealing with a flea problem in your Maryland home, here is everything you need to know to keep you and your loved ones safe and flea-free.
Flea Life Cycle Overview
First, it’s important to understand how fleas live and breed to deliver successful treatment that will interrupt important lifecycle stages and prevent an infestation from spreading.
There are four stages to a flea’s life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. During the egg stage, a female flea will lay up to 50 eggs per day on the skin of a “host,” typically a pet. Eggs typically hatch in 1-10 days, which then starts the larva stage.
Larvae feed on blood and flea feces to develop over the course of 5-20 days. Then, they enter the pupa stage, remaining in their cocoon until they sense a host nearby. After they find a host, the adult fleas emerge from their cocoons, mate, and lay eggs.
Our treatments are targeted to interrupt early and mature stages to give property owners the best chance at eliminating an ongoing infestation.
Signs of Fleas
Fleas are not always obvious in homes as they tend to latch onto pets. The adverse reaction that your pet may have to fleas may seem innocuous or even be mistaken for something else, allowing the problem to proliferate.
In other cases, some people may even mistake fleas for bed bugs. However, there are several signs of a flea infestation to look out for, including:
- Pets scratching themselves more than usual
- Itchy red bites on humans and pets
- Flea dirt (tiny black specks) found in your pet’s fur and bedding
- Dark spots on mattresses (flea excrement)
- Seeing live fleas
If you notice any of these signs of a flea infestation in your home, it is imperative that you contact an exterminator immediately to have your home inspected and treated.
What to Do Before Flea Indoor Treatment
Performing indoor flea treatment is a big undertaking and requires customers to assist exterminators in order to make treatments successful.
While most exterminators will have their own list of requirements before performing indoor flea service, Pest Czar has a very specific list of actions that we require from customers to ensure that all treatments work successfully.
- Vacuum all floors, carpets, and rugs thoroughly.
- Clear items off the floor, including the bottoms of closets and under the bed. Move these items to a bed or table.
- Pick up any non-furniture items from the floor and relocate them to a bed or table.
- Vacuum beneath beds and clean the floors inside closets.
- Mop all tile, linoleum, and wood floors carefully.
- Vacuum under the cushions of upholstered furniture, especially in areas where your pet(s) like to rest or sleep.
- Wash or replace all pet bedding.
- Remove pet food and litter from the floors.
- Place a paper towel in areas where your pet(s) frequently rest or sleep. This will help Pest Czar focus on these spots.
- Schedule your pet(s) to be treated by a veterinarian on the same day as the flea treatment by Pest Czar.
- Cover aquariums with a heavy towel and disconnect the air pump. Saltwater tanks must be removed entirely since their pumps cannot be disconnected.
- Ensure all people and pets (including birds and reptiles) stay out of the treated area until the treatment has dried and the rooms have been ventilated (e.g., by opening windows).
- Turn off air conditioning units before leaving the premises.
What to Do Following Flea Indoor Service
After your home has been treated for fleas, there are certain precautions we will want you to take, including:
- Do not re-enter treated premises until treatment has dried.
- Turn on the air conditioning system to ventilate the home.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs daily or as often as possible. This activity stimulates adult fleas hiding in cocoons to emerge where they may contact the treatment.
- You may see fleas for up to two weeks following this service. Daily vacuuming of infested rooms helps speed up the control process.
How Many Flea Treatments Are Necessary?
The number of flea treatments you will need depends on the type of treatment your exterminator is using, but typically, two or more are required. This is because the life cycle of a flea and the stage it is currently at during the initial treatment will determine how many are required.
Typically, the first treatment kills all of the adult fleas in your home, but a follow-up treatment is required to eliminate the entire flea life cycle.
Your pet may also need to be treated for fleas, so speak to your veterinarian to learn the best way to protect your furry friend.
How to Prevent Fleas from Returning
Once the fleas in your home have been exterminated, it is important that you do everything you can to prevent them from returning.
One big way to prevent fleas from coming back in the future is to have your pets wear a flea collar or give them flea medication.
You should also regularly vacuum your home, wash your bedding (especially if your pets sit on the bed), and limit your pet’s time outdoors.
Our home protection plans feature barrier sprays and different controls to prevent the spread of fleas on your property. Contact our team of technicians to learn more about how we can help you eliminate fleas in your home and on your property.
FAQs
Are over-the-counter flea treatments effective for pets?
While some over-the-counter flea treatments may be mildly effective at getting rid of fleas, you may want to contact your dog’s vet for a strong treatment. Prescription flea treatments are typically more effective at getting rid of fleas and will give your fur baby the best chance of being flea-free.
How long does it take to get rid of a flea infestation?
The amount of time it takes to completely get rid of a flea infestation varies depending on the severity of the problem. Most homeowners can expect for a flea infestation to be resolved in several weeks, although it can take a few months in more extreme cases. Your exterminator will be able to let you know how long you can expect to receive flea treatment.
Can fleas cause health problems for humans?
Yes, fleas can cause health problems for humans by biting and spreading a variety of different diseases, including plague, flea-borne typhus, and cat scratch disease.