What's Eating You? East Sacramento's Flea Problem and What You Can Do To Help.

One insect people dread most is the bloodsucking flea. These external parasites cause irritating bites and spread disease-carrying bacteria making them one of the most unpleasant insects to encounter. So how do fleas get around? They count on hitchhiking, or in other words, “itch-hiking”. Fleas thrive on consuming the blood of their hosts and can jump incredible distances making them one of the best jumpers second to the froghopper. They go through four lifecycle stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. As an adult, they can live 2-3 months on average. With over 2,500 species found around the world today, let’s talk about the three types of fleas that are likely to invade your home. 
 
The Cat Flea: The most common type of flea that lives on cats, dogs, and wildlife.
The Rat Flea: The host is mainly rodents and these fleas are responsible for the Bubonic Plague.
The Human Flea: Infests the hair of humans and are found hiding in vehicles and furniture.
 
How do you get rid of fleas? Let’s start from scratch!

Protect your furry friends: First step in an effective flea treatment is to treat your pet(s) with flea and tick medication, use special formulated flea shampoo, and groom with a flea comb. Make sure the flea medication is appropriate for your type of pet and its weight.  
 
Clean and treat your humble abode: This will go a long way in solving your flea problems. Vacuum high traffic areas often, wash bedding, and apply a chemical treatment around areas where fleas may hide. Read your chemical treatments carefully, especially if you have pets and children.  

Maintain and treat your yard: A well-maintained and treated yard can keep you from undoing all your hard work to get rid of fleas. Be sure to remove debris around your home, maintain a short and healthy lawn, and chemically treat damp areas, patios, and grass.
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Sanitation plays a vital role in the success of flea elimination. Vacuuming floors, laundering all bedding, maintaining a well-kept yard, and making sure your pets are medicated are all productive ways to manage a flea infestation. With a combination of Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) and knock-down insecticides you are well on your way to a flea-free home! For the safety application of professional-grade products, please contact a licensed professional.