Fleas

If you are a proud pet owner, you’ve likely thought about fleas one time or another. The chances are even better you’ve battled the pest. Either way, for such a small insect, this jumping bean can cause colossal problems. Therefore, it is always best to have preventive measures in place. This is something our trained pros are more than capable of and happy to do for you. We’ll help you clear up a current infestation if this is a problem as well. That being said, when dealing with fleas, it is best to be as educated as possible. Even if you plan on hiring a pro, we will be the first to tell you that there is only so much we can do. A successful flea elimination and prevention campaign is going to take know-how and cooperation on both sides.

Fleas Don’t Live On Humans

Because of the prevalence and threat of the flea, there is a lot of varying information out there. Unfortunately, some of this information can be misleading. A lot of that information regards the flea and the human. Fleas do not actually live on the human, but that doesn’t mean they can’t bite. They will and do! The most common type of flea in the United States is the cat flea. Do not be fooled by the name because the jumping nuisance can live on cats, dogs, and a whole host of other animals. There are also dog fleas, but these nuisances are much rarer.

There are currently over 2,500 known species of the insect. It is the fur and feathers that attract them to animals. They burrow into these fluffy body parts and hide and feed. They then lay eggs that hatch after the larva and pupa stages. This is a cycle that will need treating, likely by a pro because it’ll be so hard to remove entirely. Fleas don’t prefer living on the human because they simply lack the needed hair. It’s much harder for them to reproduce safely and effectively without the protection of fur or feathers. It takes feeding on a human for 12 straight hours before the pest can lay viable eggs.

The Threat Of The Little Nuisance

Fleas are small, but they can cause immense problems for both you and your pets. They can sometimes even be fatal in the most severe of cases. The problem can grow so great that it’ll interfere with the overall health and well-being of your furred and feathered friends. Therefore, it is pertinent to know and understand the threat these jumping nuisances pose.

The first thing you need to know about the flea is there are some pets that are allergic to the pest. Sure, every pet has a reaction when bitten, but there are some pets that are overly sensitive to the saliva in the pest’s bite. As you can imagine, when a situation like this occurs it causes the animal to develop large welts and severe skin irritations. In some cases, there can even be excessive shedding. Either situation is not good, but this is just the start.

Fleas are highly known for carrying and transmitting several types of internal parasites. The larvae feed on tapeworm eggs, which in turn make the flea a carrier of the parasite. When your dog or cat grooms himself he can inadvertently ingest a flea. A flea that is infected with this parasite will then pass whatever parasite they are infested with onto your pet. If it’s a tapeworm, it will attach to your pet’s internal intestine and cause a whole host of problems, including weight loss, loss of appetite, nervousness, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and rectal irritation.

Humans, especially children can be vulnerable to tapeworms and other parasites fleas are known to carry. Therefore, it is always best to have preventive measures in place. This is something we are more than capable and happy to help with. All you must do is give our San Antonio office a call and we’ll get someone right on the situation.

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