Learn More About Fleas in New York and Massachusetts
Fleas can consume approximately 15 times their bodyweight in blood every day, making these blood sucking parasites a significant concern for pet owners. They can also affect other animals and are known to leave itchy bites on people too.
In addition to uncomfortable bites, fleas can transmit serious diseases to animals and people alike. Flea bites can carry pathogens that cause tapeworms and bubonic plague in addition to triggering allergic reactions.
Pets aren’t the only way fleas enter homes and other buildings. These pesky insects are often carried by other wild animals, including birds, raccoons, and rodents. Other pests can introduce them to your home or business, underscoring the need for routine pest control to not only eliminate fleas, but also to manage wildlife and other nuisances.
Flea Info: Facts about Flea Bites
Fleas bite their hosts and can trigger allergic reactions as the body recognizes flea saliva as an allergen and sends histamine to the site of the bite. Common symptoms include small, red bumps on the skin, extreme itching, and possible secondary infections.
Fleas are attracted to carbon dioxide released while breathing, body heat, vibrations, and movement. Although cat, dog, and rat fleas don’t live on humans, they can bite people, usually around the ankles and on the legs.
When Are Fleas Active?
Fleas are usually most active from summer through fall, usually peaking in July, August, September, and October. They may also be active during warm winters. These parasites can live for months without food, and they often hibernate in their larval or pupal stages during winter. Adults only emerge from their cocoons once they sense a host nearby.
Flea Info and Identification
More than 2,000 species of fleas are found globally, with 300 different species found across the United States. Although the size and appearance can vary slightly, these small, wingless insects average 1/8 inch long. They have flat bodies and six legs with mouthparts that bite.
Fleas have narrow, flat bodies that are typically dark brown or black and may take on a reddish hue after feeding. Common fleas include cat fleas, dog fleas, human fleas, and rat fleas.
Cat Fleas
Ctenocephalides felis, or cat fleas, are the most common types of fleas found on domestic animals. They can infest cats, dogs, and other furry creatures. Cat fleas can spread plague bacteria, cat scratch disease, and flea-borne typhus.
Dog Fleas
As their name implies, Ctenocephalides canis, or dog fleas, prefer feeding on dogs. These parasites also feed on rabbits. Dog fleas may transmit a tapeworm, Diplidium caninum, which can affect dogs, cats, and sometimes people.
Rat Fleas
Sometimes called “the Oriental rat flea,” or Xenopsylla cheopsis, these fleas commonly feed on rats. These are the parasites largely known for the spread of the plague. They may also transmit flea-borne typhus.
Human Fleas
All fleas can bite humans, and Pulex irritans, or the human flea, doesn’t strictly feed on people. These parasites commonly feed on foxes and badgers, as well as larger mammals like domestic pigs. It’s less common than other flea types and may carry pathogens that cause Hymenolepsis or the Diplidium caninum tapeworm.
Flea Habitats
Outdoors, fleas prefer living in humid, shady areas like dense shrubs or tall grasses. They tend to avoid sunlight and cluster in groups, hiding in areas like pet beds, dog houses, and lawn furniture. These pests typically move indoors once they are attached to people, pets, or other pests.
Frequently sweeping porches and patios, wiping down outdoor furniture, and keeping outdoor spaces trimmed can help reduce the number of areas for fleas to hide. It’s also helpful to reduce outdoor clutter and piles of debris.
Benefits of Professional Flea Control in New York and Massachusetts
Flea infestations can quickly grow out of hand. By the time most people realize their homes or businesses have fleas, the infestation is typically widespread. The professionals at USX Pest work with you to identify the problem and quickly eliminate it.
We also offer ongoing maintenance programs for year-round monitoring, treatment, and prevention. This enables our technicians to proactively control pests in residential and commercial properties.
Schedule a Free Inspection Today
USX Pest technicians will come to your home or business and provide a free, thorough inspection to identify the fleas impacting your property. From there, we develop a customized treatment plan to get rid of these blood sucking parasites quickly and effectively. Contact us online or by phone at 855-761-1550.