What Do Fleas Look Like, and How Do You Get Rid of Fleas Quickly?

Fleas can easily become a significant nuisance for everyone in your home if you don’t take care of them quickly. Normally, these insects prefer to lay on pets, but that doesn’t mean that they cannot invade your home and furniture.

Keep in mind that getting rid of fleas is usually a process that takes several days or weeks to get done. While they seem harmless for humans, fleas could cause itchy skin and skin irritation, which can get worse as time passes.

Identifying the type of fleas that you’re dealing with can greatly help you be much quicker at assessing the situation. Nobody wants to have a flea infestation at their home, so we’re going to give you an overview of how to identify these fleas and get rid of them quickly.

What Do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas aren’t known for being large. In fact, an adult flea is usually about three millimeters in length. Thankfully, they can still be detected by the human eye, although it may be challenging at first.

These insects have a hard exoskeleton and can range from a dark red to brown color. Aside from laying in your pets, fleas can also live in yards, carpets, bedding, and other areas.

However, you may not always see full-grown fleas. In some cases, you may be able to see flea eggs or flea larvae, and you should also get rid of those as soon as you can.

Flea eggs are laid out whenever the adult flea jumps into its host. These eggs have an oval shape and are white. On the other hand, flea larvae look like a small, white worm. As time passes, their body is going to get darker.

Are Fleas Dangerous?

As said before, fleas may not seem as harmful as other insects, but if you don’t take care of them, you may be exposed to several health issues in the future. Keep in mind that fleas are especially dangerous for pets since they feed on your pet’s blood. If you don’t get rid of your pet’s fleas, the animal could develop anemia.

On the other hand, fleas could cause infections and allergies in the long term for humans.

Having a flea infestation can be annoying for anyone, especially if that infestation reaches the inside of your home. Regardless of the type of flea you’re dealing with, you need to assess the issue as soon as possible.

How to Get Rid of Fleas Quickly

Thankfully, there are several ways to get rid of fleas, and the treatment depends on the source of the problem. If fleas are mostly pestering your pets, you may have an easier time dealing with the problem. However, if the fleas have reached the inside of your home, the process may take more time.

Identifying Flea Warning Signs

Several signs may tell you that you or your pets are dealing with a flea infestation. Some of these signs are obvious, whereas other ones may take more attention.

If your pet has a flea infestation, you may notice if one of the following things happen:

• You notice bumps or scabs on your pet’s body.
• If your pet is constantly scratching against objects in your home.
• Your pet begins to lick a specific area of its body frequently.

Alternatively, flea infestations in humans are easily identified. If you notice one of the following problems, you may have flea issues at home:

• Skin irritation due to allergic reactions.
• Red bumps around your feet or legs.

Flea Treatment for Pets

Normally, the best course of action is to go to a veterinarian for advice on how to treat a flea problem on your pets. Keep in mind that pets can easily get fleas from anywhere, so you need to get your dog safe before you get rid of fleas entirely.

First, take a flea comb and gently go through your pet’s neck, back, and tail. Make sure to take all the fleas you comb off and drop them into hot, soapy water to kill them. Alternatively, you may use a topical treatment or formulated shampoo on your pet, which can prevent future re-infestations.

If your pet is continually bothered by itching, consider using cold water to alleviate the feeling.

Finally, talk to your veterinary on effective ways to prevent fleas from getting into your pets again. Typically, these solutions involve keeping your yard trimmed and your house clean.

Flea Treatments in the Home

A home flea treatment may take a bit more time since it’s harder to identify where the fleas are coming from. While it’s more challenging, it’s not impossible to do.

The best way to clean your home and get rid of fleas is to use a powerful vacuum/steam cleaner to help you. First, you need to explore your home to see if you can identify any signs of fleas or larvae. Knowing where these insects are can help you determine where you need to focus on.

As a rule of thumb, fleas tend to live where your pets lay down or in dark areas of your home. After you’ve identified the problem areas in your home, take your vacuum and start cleaning. Try to use a vacuum with a disposable bag to avoid coming into direct contact with fleas.

The next step is to use a steam cleaner to clean your upholstery, carpets, and bedding since it can easily kill the remaining fleas. If your flea problem is too severe, you may need to replace your bedding with a new one.

Alternatively, you may use chemical treatments, such as insecticides to kill fleas faster. However, it’s recommended to talk to a professional when using these treatments.

Flea Treatments in the Yard

If you have a big yard, the chances are that fleas are gathering there. Humid areas are especially hospitable for fleas, so keep those in mind.

To prevent flea infestations in your yard, consider doing the following:

• Remove any debris, such as twigs or dead leaves.
• Trim and cut your bushes and grass regularly.
• Use cedar chips in humid areas.

Conclusion

Getting rid of fleas may not be as quick as you may want, but it needs to be done if you want to avoid future health problems for your family and pets. If you follow these treatment plans thoroughly, you’re likely to see an improvement after some days.

If you’re looking for the right team to handle the issue for you, Synergy² is here to help. We provide trusted services throughout the area, so contact us for the best pest control services around.