Here in Southern Maine, there are all sorts of pests that could infest your home. Of all these pests, however, few are annoying and hard to get rid of as fleas. On top of that, fleas are dangerous pests as they can spread diseases when they bite to feed on our blood. As such, it’s important for you to do everything you can to keep fleas out of your Southern Maine home. To do this effectively, you need to know how fleas get into homes in the first place. Then you can begin to take measures to address them. Finally, should your home become infested, you need to know the flea control solutions you can count on to get rid of them.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are small parasitic pests that feed on the blood of both humans and our pets. Fleas grow to be about 1/8th of an inch long. They have wingless black bodies and cannot fly, instead, relying on their powerful hind-legs to get around. In fact, fleas can jump several times their body size.
Fleas are obnoxious pests to have to live in your home. This is because they bite which can leave itchy red welts on your skin. However, they aren’t just annoying; fleas can be dangerous, too. Fleas have been known to spread plague and morphine typhus to humans. Moreover, they can also spread tapeworms to our cats and dogs.
Where Do Fleas Come From?
One of the most common ways for fleas to get into a home is by being brought in on a pet. However, that doesn’t mean homes without pets don’t need to worry about fleas. Oftentimes, other wildlife or pests that venture into the yard, or sneak into the house, can also bring fleas inside. This includes rats, mice, raccoons, deer, foxes, and other wildlife. This means if your yard is attractive to wildlife hosts, or if your home is exposed to rodent infestations, you could still wind up dealing with a flea infestation even if you don’t own a pet.
How To Keep Fleas Out Of Your Home?
The best way to keep fleas out of your home is by making your house and your property less hospitable and less accessible to the various wildlife that carries them. This includes the following tactics to keep them out:
- Put protective fencing around fruit and vegetable gardens.
- Pick up any fallen fruit from your yard.
- Keep outdoor dining areas free of spills and food debris.
- Pick up any uneaten pet food after your pet has finished eating.
- Store trash in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Clear yard debris from around your property.
- Store all food in airtight containers or the fridge.
- Take out the trash regularly.
- Wipe up spills from counters and floors immediately.
- Seal cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Seal off any holes around your home’s exterior such as around vents, pipes, or utility lines.
- Talk to your vet about flea control treatments for your pets.
For More Advice & Assistance
If You have any further questions regarding flea prevention, or if you require assistance in dealing with a flea infestation on your Southern Maine property, contact the trained pest professionals here at Big Blue Bug Solutions right away.
Here at Big Blue Bug Solutions, we offer quality flea control solutions that you can count on to effectively eliminate any flea infestation with which you are dealing. Furthermore, if you opt for one of our ongoing treatment plans, we will make sure your home remains pest-free all year long. Don’t let fleas threaten the health and safety of your family and your pets. Give us a call today to get started.