Fleas?
Check for Physical Signs
- Bites on Skin: Flea bites typically appear as small, red bumps. They are often found in clusters, usually around the ankles, legs, or waist. Flea bites can be very itchy.
- Pets Scratching or Biting: If you have pets, they may scratch, bite, or groom themselves excessively due to flea bites. Check for signs of discomfort, especially around the neck, belly, and tail areas.
Look for Fleas or Flea Dirt
- Visual Inspection: Fleas are small, dark brown insects, about 1/8 inch long. They have flat bodies and long hind legs, making them excellent jumpers. Use a fine-toothed flea comb to inspect your pet’s fur, especially around the neck and base of the tail.
- Flea Dirt: Flea dirt is flea feces, which looks like tiny black specks. To confirm, place the specks on a wet paper towel. If they turn red, it's flea dirt, as it contains digested blood.
Check Your Environment
- Pet Bedding and Carpets: Inspect your pet’s bedding, carpets, and furniture for adult fleas, eggs, or larvae. Flea eggs are small, white, and often hard to see, while larvae look like tiny white worms.
- Floors and Upholstery: Fleas often hide in cracks in floors and upholstered furniture. You may notice them jumping when you disturb these areas.
Differentiate from Other Pests
- Bed Bugs: Unlike fleas, bed bugs are flat and reddish-brown. They often bite in a line or cluster and leave behind reddish stains on bedding. Bed bugs are usually found near beds and couches.
- Mites: Mites can also cause itching but are typically too small to see with the naked eye. They often cause more generalized itching and irritation.
- Lice: Lice are found primarily on humans, especially in hair, and are visible to the naked eye. They do not jump like fleas.
- Spring Tails: Many people will think that springtails are fleas because they are small and jump around. However, they do not bite are only found in humid areas like bathrooms.
Springtails
Summary
Springtails are tiny, moisture-loving insects often found in damp environments. They feed on decaying organic matter and can become a nuisance indoors.
Interior
Bathrooms, basements, kitchens, crawl spaces, near drains and leaky pipes.
Exterior
Under rocks, leaf litter, in mulch, around foundations, in gardens.
Common Signs Of Infestation
Services Needs
Mosquitoes
Summary
Mosquitoes are flying insects known for biting and feeding on the blood of humans and animals. They are vectors for various diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika.
Interior
May enter homes through open windows and doors, typically staying near sources of standing water or in cool, shaded areas.
Exterior
Common around standing water sources like ponds, puddles, marshes, old tires and containers. They can also be found in tall grass and wooded areas.
Common Signs Of Infestation
Presence of adult mosquitoes, itchy bites, larvae (wrigglers) in standing water.
Services Needs
Specialized mosquito control treatments, including source reduction and fogging will help drastically reduce a mosquito population.
Remove standing water from containers, clean gutters, and use window and door screens to prevent entry. Consider using insect repellents and mosquito nets.
Fleas
Summary
Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Their breeding sites are generally where the host animal spends a lot of time.
Interior
Found in carpets, bedding, furniture, and pet areas, especially where pets sleep.
Exterior
Commonly found in shaded areas, under porches, in tall grass, and where pets rest or roam.
Common Signs Of Infestation
Itching and scratching in pets, flea dirt (black specks), and small, reddish bites on humans or pets.
Services Needs
Requires specialized flea control treatment, often including pet treatment and household disinfestation.
Vacuum carpets and furniture thoroughly, wash pet bedding, and treat pets with veterinarian-approved flea control products.
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