Jacksonville Homeowners' Comprehensive Flea-Prevention Guide

In the United States, there is one type of flea that stands head and thorax above the rest. It is called the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). But it isn't limited to biting cats. It can bite dogs and people too. If you're currently dealing with a flea infestation in your Jacksonville home, it is likely that cat fleas are the culprits. Here's what you need to know to protect your pets and your family.

Keep An Eye Out For Symptoms

Before we get into bite prevention, it is important to take a moment to talk about the many health threats that fleas present.

• Cat fleas commonly spread Murine typhus and bartonellosis, which can have a big impact on you and everyone living in your home. These diseases can have subtle symptoms in your pet while exposing you to severe sickness.
• The saliva of cat fleas causes flea allergy dermatitis for some dogs and cats. This isn't just irritating for your pet. As pets scratch at itchy skin, it can lead to open, infected wounds.
• Fleas can carry tapeworms. If a dog or cat ingests a flea while grooming, they can become very sick.
• Multiple bites from fleas can lead to Anemia.

While very rare, the bubonic plague is still around. If you get this from a flea, you probably won't die, but you'll wish you were dead. It is ugly business.

Take some time to research the symptoms of each of these flea-borne health threats. It is important that you and your physician know when or if fleas are linked to sickness.

Flea Prevention: Pests

• Collars: Long before you find fleas on your dog or cat, you should consider investing in a flea and tick collar for your pet. Talk to a veterinarian and find out if a collar is the right choice for your pet and for your family.
• Products: Your veterinarian can also help you select other flea control products like shampoos, pills, topicals, etc.
• Fencing: If your dog(s) go outside, it is wise to put fencing around the play area. This reduces wildlife traffic and prevents animals from introducing fleas into the area.

Flea Prevention: Humans

If you have a flea infestation in your home, you can reduce your chances of being bitten by taking these steps:

• Wash and dry all your bedding
• Vacuum your rugs frequently
• Wear long pants and socks to protect your legs
• Apply essential oils, such as eucalyptus or peppermint, to your legs and feet if they will be exposed

Flea Prevention: Yard

The best place to stop fleas is by applying flea prevention around your Jacksonville home. Here are a few ways you can do this:

• Reduce animal attractants. Wild animals bring fleas into your yard. Remove animal food sources to keep animals from spending too much time on your property.
• Apply fencing to protect food sources or keep animals out of harborage options.
• Remove clutter. Many animals will feel right at home in a yard that has lots of hiding places.
• Trim grass and vegetation. The more your yard feels like nature, the more wild animals will want to hang out in your yard.
• Reduce conditions that allow puddles to form.
• Consider routine treatments from a pest control professional to reduce insects that animals feed on, and to directly eliminate fleas as well. If you get a pest control plan that comes with rodent removal, monitoring, and exclusion, you can prevent mice and rats from bringing fleas into your home. That is a big help.

Flea Prevention: Home

When a flea infestation breaks out inside your home, the best solution is to contact Lindsey Pest Services. We use EPA approved products that have a residual effect. This gets fast control of those fleas. Contact us today if you have questions, or if you'd like to request service. We're here to help.