Fleas are one of those things that can be a real pain to deal with. Whether your pet has them or not, the last thing you want is to have fleas in your home. So, just how dangerous are these parasites? Are they going to eat you alive from the inside out or just suck a bit of blood and leave?
What Fleas Can Do To You
Fleas can spread many different diseases, but that depends on the type of flea. For instance, some fleas carry the plague, while others can cause anemia in your pet. Some people are allergic to certain types of fleas and just having them on you for too long can cause an infection.
If you have multiple pets in your home, you’re going to have a lot of fleas. The more animals there are in the area, the easier it is for the fleas to jump onto them or you. It’s kind of like riding in an elevator with someone who has body odor – no one likes being around them, so when the door opens up, you want to get out!
The good news is that these parasites are not likely to kill you or your pets. They want some blood, and they’ll leave. The bad news is that the bites itch like crazy; it can be a lot worse than that for those allergic.
What You Can Do to Stop the Infestation
If your pet has fleas, the first thing you should do is to take it to a vet. The doctor can prescribe some flea medication to get rid of them within a week or so.
If your pet doesn’t have fleas, but your home does, then what you’re going to want to do is vacuum every room in the house. Make sure to get the furniture under the couch cushion and every corner you can. As you’re vacuuming, if you see any fleas in the canister or on your carpet, then that’s where they are at their strongest.
After that, wash all of the bedding in your home – this includes anything with fur. Wash it in hot water and make sure to tumble dry it for a few minutes.
After you’ve done all of that, spread a flea control powder around your home. This will kill any eggs they may have laid around the house. These powders are not toxic, so if you accidentally inhale some of it, it’s not going to harm you in any way.
The only thing you should worry about is your pet’s health and keeping them safe; fleas are very dangerous for dogs in particular. Make sure to contact a vet if you see any signs that they might be having an allergic reaction to the fleas (like biting at themselves or scratching like crazy).
Conclusion
If your home has fleas, it’s not the end of the world. It can be a real pain, but it’s nothing to be too concerned about. Just make sure that you take your pet to a vet if they have fleas, and then wash all of the bedding in your home. After that, spread some powder around and let everything dry before you let your pet back in the house.
Prevention is better than a cure, so if you want to keep them out of your home, then just keep your pets away from animals that may have them and vacuum every day. If you have fleas infestation at home, call a pest control professional in McAllen today!