How To Tell If Your Home Has Fleas Infestation

Fleas are undoubtedly one of the most annoying pests, and they’re infestations even more so. A flea infestation is difficult to detect and even more difficult to get rid of.

If you think that your home might be infested with fleas and want to be sure, look out for the following signs:

Flea Droppings On Carpets

Fleas tend to leave their droppings behind on your pets and your flooring. If you notice an increase of black marks on carpets that don’t look like regular dirt, then this might be a sign that your home is infested. Grab a wet towel or paper and wipe up any droppings that you find laying around. If there are red streaks on the cloth after cleaning this is another sign that fleas are inhabiting your home.

Another way to check a carpet or rug for fleas is to tape a piece of white paper over the pipe on your hoover and vacuum an area. Any fleas will get stuck to the paper and you can see where they are nesting.

Check Your Pets For Fleas

If your pet has fleas, the likelihood that your home has an infestation is greatly increased. Droppings on your animals will be visible to the naked eye, so it might be a good idea to check your pets as well as their beds, or your own bed if they sleep with you. The droppings will look a lot like salt and pepper, depending on the coat of your animal.

Another way to detect fleas on your pets is to keep tabs on how often they scratch. If there’s a sudden uptick in scratching, grab a comb and give them a thorough brush and proper inspection. Fleas and their eggs are tiny, and depending on how thick your pet’s coat is, they aren’t that easy to see. Comb their coat slowly and carefully using a fine toothed comb – you can even purchase a proper flea comb from your local pet store. Fleas often like to huddle close to the tail or the neck of an animal, so give those areas extra attention.

If after checking your pet you come across no signs of fleas, keep observing them to see if the scratching continues. If this is the case, it might be best to take a quick trip to the vet. You should never leave the situation to fester – rather be safe than sorry.

Lastly, look out for unexplained rashes on your animal as this may be a sign of heightened flea bites and scratching. Some animals are allergic to flea bites, and this could explain random rashes.

Check For Bites On Your Ankles

Your pets are not the only ones who could be targeted by fleas. You or your family members also have a good chance of being bitten if you have an infestation. Not only are flea bites nasty for your pets, but they are also nasty for humans too. You or your loved ones may even have a flea bite allergy, making every bite extremely itchy and painful.

Fleas like to attack while you are moving through different rooms in your home. This is why so many people get bitten on their ankles as fleas nest in carpets or on your pet and jump onto your leg. Although they can jump quite far, your ankle is an easy leap up for them. You may also notice itchy bites on your arms or back if there are fleas in your sofa or your bed.
A good way to detect fleas is to put on a pair of white socks and walk around each room. If you notice any small black dots on your socks, you probably have fleas.

How To Get Rid Of Fleas

The best way to deal with a potential flea infestation is to call in the professionals. While there are some store-bought products that can help, they tend to only work short term. Fleas are almost impossible to get rid of on your own and their eggs can lay dormant for several months or years.

If fleas are plaguing you, get in touch with Twin-Boro and eradicate the infestation properly, safely and for good.