Did you know that fleas are still active in the Fall months? A flea shows up and starts to spread rapidly. This pest feeds on blood and will breed within 24 hours of its first meal. A female can lay up to 50 eggs per day, causing a blood-sucking infestation in no time.
Fleas in the Fall
Fleas are worse in the fall because fall weather brings mild temperatures and precipitation, which makes fleas thrive. Flea pupae stay dormant when the temperatures exceed 85 degrees. As fall temperatures hover in the 70s, the pupae become active and spread out in search of a host.
Hide Outdoors
Because fleas are so tiny, they don’t really need to hide because they are so hard to spot. While outside, they prefer to stay out of direct sunlight. You can find a flea infestation in some of these common outdoor areas:
- Shrubs and brush
- Tall grass
- Weedy areas
- Leaf piles
- Tree lines
Hide Indoors
Fleas love getting inside homes, which offers them the shade, moisture, and hosts they require. Once inside, they spread quickly in furniture, carpets, rugs, and pet bedding. In the fall, pets begin getting their winter coats, making them ideal homes for fleas to feed and breed. The thicker coat also makes it more challenging to groom fleas off. Fleas can lay eggs in your pet’s fur. The eggs will then fall off as your pet runs and plays indoors, spreading these insects to every room in your home.
Are Fleas Dangerous?
Fleas are notorious for causing intense itchiness, and their bites can lead to hair loss, allergy dermatitis, and in extreme cases, anemia. Fleas can also exacerbate respiratory illnesses and complications. If your pet has fleas, your pet may suffer from an allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva, or your pet can develop anemia from the loss of blood.
Fleas can be dangerous. Here are the diseases that are transmitted by fleas:
- Bubonic plague
- Murine typhus
- Typhus
- Tungiasis
- Tularemia
How to Keep Fleas Out
Preventing a flea infestation starts with proper lawn maintenance. You should keep the grass mowed short, shrubs trimmed back, and weeds pulled at all times. Sometimes flea-infested rodents and other wildlife venture into backyards to feed on pet food. Bringing the food indoors at night will help keep them out of your yard. Other ways to keep infestations out of your home include:
- Vacuuming rugs and carpets regularly
- Treating your pet with a flea control product
- Running a flea comb through your pet’s fur when it comes indoors
- Using insect growth regulators once you’ve found the pests indoors
Please contact us immediately if you see any fleas in or around your home, so we can help you eliminate them.
Contact Us
Choose Proactive Pest Control for professional, comprehensive, guaranteed pest, and lawn management. The pros at Proactive will work diligently to gain your trust, confidence, and your total satisfaction. CALL US TODAY at 770-800-PEST to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection and evaluation for your home or business. Or, contact us for a FREE consultation. Let us show you why Proactive Pest Control is northeast Georgia’s first choice for pest, termite, and lawn services.