What Is Pest Control For Flea Treatment?

Very few insects are as universally disliked as the flea. The very thought of fleas is often enough to send a person into a fury of itching. In West Palm Beach, FL, this issue is an extremely common one for residents to face. Our warm, humid South Florida climate is a great spot for fleas and results in many itchy families in the area every year.

If you haven’t experienced flea problems in West Palm Beach, FL before, it may be confusing to understand the critter and the ways to treat it. Fleas are certainly very pesky creatures that can be difficult to spot and deal with. While DIY treatment methods may be tempting, they rarely deliver the results you're looking for.

That is why, in this article, we’ll discuss fleas, the reasons they show up, and how to get rid of them. 

What Are Fleas?

Fleas are small, parasitic insects that survive on any warm-blooded animal's blood. They are often reddish or brown in color and are very small. Adult fleas are readily visible but it is hard to see an egg or larvae without some magnification.

Flea problems are more common for a dog or cat but they can certainly affect the pet owner as well. A flea bites any animal with warm blood. Their life cycle can make controlling fleas a very difficult ordeal as it can vary so greatly. Once adult fleas have found their way onto a host, fleas lay eggs and immediately begin the process of reproduction.

When these flea eggs hatch, adult females will immediately eat and begin reproducing. It is important to contact a professional pest management company like Native Pest Management as soon as you notice fleas. The longer you wait, the greater the problem will be.

Fleas are not dangerous on their own but they do transmit disease-causing germs which can be very serious. This is just part of the reason why it's so important to handle these pests as soon as possible. 

Causes Of Flea Infestations

Fleas frequently appear via a flea-infested rodent. Unlike other parasitic insects, flea eggs are not sticky. That means they fall right off the host immediately after they are laid, allowing the problem to spread easily.

Fleas can hide away and nest in unknown corners of the home, so it can often be difficult to notice an infestation until it’s progressed greatly. Flea eggs wait to hatch until they sense a warm meal nearby, allowing them to remain dormant in areas of your home until the time is right. 

They also may enter through used furniture or previous infestations.

If you do have a dog or a cat, they are a prime vulnerability for fleas to enter. Your pet may unknowingly pick up these pests while outside or around another infested animal. Once they bring the fleas into your home, they will easily spread throughout its interior. 

Inspecting For Fleas

The most critical element to controlling a flea population is spotting the infestation quickly. It’s important to conduct regular inspections and searches for fleas in West Palm Beach, FL. This includes inspecting the fur of your animals with a tool like a flea comb, pet bedding, and areas the pet spends the most time.

Keep an eye out for excessive licking, biting, or scratching by your pets along with hair loss or small red bumps.  Fleas may also leave feces in these areas or rugs, carpets, or other areas of the home. This will look like small, black flecks. 

If you spot any of these signs, call a pest control company like Native Pest Management immediately. Cat fleas are capable of laying up to 50 eggs in a single day so early intervention is critical.

Treating Fleas

After an infestation has taken hold, there are two courses of action. The first is to try at-home control products or remedies. These include options like:

• Pet flea repellant/treatment
• Vacuuming your entire home, including furniture repeatedly
• Washing all bedding and fabric
• Plants that repel fleas
• Baking soda rubbed into the fabric and vacuumed up
• Dish soap in warm water will attract the fleas and then trap them. Replace and repeat this every day.
• Herbal sprays and essential oils
• Sprinkle Diatomaceous earth on affected areas
• Salt
• Lemon Spray

These natural remedies are a great start to kill off fleas and, in some cases, may work well enough on their own. The main issue with these is that they take a long time to work – if they work at all. These methods all involve trapping or tricking the fleas into a method of killing them.

Contrary to this, the other method of treating fleas is a professional pest control company like Native Pest Management. These companies are able to end flea infestations swiftly and help enact preventative measures as well. 

At-home solutions are about managing the problem, pest control companies are about eradicating it. Ultimately you should implement pest management solutions like washing the bedding and addressing pet infestations. But to truly get rid of the problem, you will need professional pest control in West Palm Beach, FL. 

Flea Prevention In West Palm Beach, FL

The best form of flea control is the prevention of the problem altogether. While fleas are a way of life for many in West Palm Beach, FL, there are ways to help keep the problem at bay. Here are some tips for preventing a flea problem:

• Keep grass short. If the sun is able to heat the soil, it will keep it too dry to foster flea larvae into adults.
• Remove dense vegetation, piles of leaves, and compost sites from your yard.
• Prevent flea-carrying rodents by sealing gaps in your walls, keeping trash covered, and putting food away.
• Regularly wash bedding and linens, including pet beds
• Vacuum frequently
• Brush and wash your pets frequently
• Use a flea-prevention measure for pets year-round
• Enlist the help of a professional control company like Native Pest Management for all-year protection

Through these measures, flea infestations can drastically reduce in likelihood. Due to the favorable climate of our great state. they cannot be completely avoided without professional intervention.

Native Pest Management Is Here To Help!

If you have noticed a flea infestation of any size on your property, it is important to act immediately. Native Pest Management is here to ensure that your flea nuisance doesn't turn into a major problem. Our dedicated team of professionals is proud to offer an individualized pest control solution for homeowners in the West Palm Beach, FL area.

When you call our team, we will come to your home and go through the following process:

• Inspect – Starting with the infested areas you already know of, we will then check every corner of your home.
• Treat –  We perform pet-safe, eco-friendly treatment plans to get rid of pests for good.
• Follow-up – We return to every regular service to apply a barrier treatment and clear spider webs and wasp nests in the yard. 

Whether you’re looking for treatment or prevention, contact us today. In just moments, you can request your free quote for flea control in West Palm Beach, FL below!

Prefer to start a conversation over the phone? Call us today for a free quote!