Where Do Fleas Come From?

One moment your home is free from fleas, the next you have a flea infestation on your hands. Fleas have to come from somewhere since they do not originate like raindrops. Fleas are very common in homes that have pets. They are wingless insects that live on the fur of mammals and birds living off their blood. Fleas are very irritating for pets and humans alike. You can tick all the boxes in terms of cleanness and still have a flea infestation in your home.

Where then do fleas originate?

Fleas originate from an outdoor environment. If your pet is indoors mostly, the chance of it getting a flea infestation is greatly reduced. Generally, fleas cannot survive hot environments, so they hide in shady, moist and grassy areas. It is from these areas that they find their way into your home. Even when in your home, they hide under carpets and away from the light. Fleas are tiny in size and can hide in lawns. When you begin to notice fleas in your home, you might want to check your yard. But even fleas in lawns or grassy areas come from somewhere.

Infested wildlife

One of the common ways’ fleas find their way onto lawns or grasses is through infected wildlife. Raccoons, coyotes, and skunks are common hosts of fleas. Because they stay in the wild, fleas feast on them and lay eggs. A female flea can lay about 50 eggs in a day; these eggs do not attach themselves to the host’s body. Anywhere the wildlife host walks to, eggs drop along the way. Wildlife will usually stray into urban environments and hide in between grasses and in lawns. Flea eggs drop in grasses and onto lawns. Eggs hatch and become larvae, larvae develop into pupae before becoming adult flea that will latch onto your pets when they are out on a walk or playing. This is usually where most fleas come from.

Infested pets

Fleas hardly transfer host. They usually spend their entire lifecycle staying on one host. They feed on the host and breed as well. Their eggs do not stay attached to the body of their host. When infested pets come to new environments, they drop off eggs as souvenirs. Your flea problem might have started because an infested pet came into your home.

Also, if the previous owners of your home had an infested pet there may be fleas lying about dormant in your home. Flea pupae can stay in their cocoon for three months until they find a host to latch on.

Outdoor

Fleas are usually outdoors. They are found underneath grasses, vegetation, lawns. Fleas thrive in shady areas such as decks and porches. Pets usually stray when on a walk or playing. Fleas are always on the lookout for host and would hop on any pet that comes their way. Flea issues usually begin outdoor.

Other sources

Identifying where fleas come from might be difficult. But they sure come from somewhere. Other sources may include cars, humans (fleas can hitchhike on humans and come into the home to infest pets), parks where your pets walk, and other people’s homes (you might take your pet to a relative’s home, and the home has fleas. This flea will latch onto your pet).

How do I prevent flea infestation?

Preventing flea infestation is a rigorous process. It involves setting a protective barrier around your home, this barrier is created by a regular maintenance pest control program. Adequate care should be taken indoors to ensure that flea infestation never manifests. Regular vacuuming should be carried out, pet bedding should be cleaned consistently, and pets should be checked regularly for signs of flea infestation.

Fleas in my home?

Flea bites are very itching, and your pet will begin to vigorously scratch affected regions if bitten by a flea. It is advisable to quickly get rid of fleas when you begin to notice them.

Vacuuming is one of the best ways to eliminate fleas from your home. Deep vacuum your carpets, underneath your furniture and hidden places consistently. Dispose of the vacuum bag when you are done. The suction from the vacuum sucks’ flea eggs and larvae from wherever they might be hiding.

Get a flea medication from your local pet store or vet and apply on your pet. Regularly use a flea comb on your pet; this will help pick out fleas from your pet’s body.

Regularly keep your indoor and outdoor environment clean and tidy, this will reduce drastically the likelihood of a flea infestation in your home. Vegetation should be kept properly trimmed. You can introduce predatory nematodes into your soil, this will help reduce the flea population on your property. Wash your pet’s bedding frequently. This ensures that flea eggs population is greatly reduced.

Flea traps, sprays, and powder should be employed when combating a full-blown infestation.

The risk of flea infestation always looms. These bloodsucking creatures are not always visible, they are always in hiding. But now that you know where fleas come from, you can take proactive steps to curb their existence.