Flea Control

Outdoor Flea Control 

Fleas are common and persistent pests that rapidly grow in numbers. Their bites don’t just cause discomfort and allergic reactions. These tiny, blood-sucking insects can also transmit diseases and parasites, like typhus and tapeworms. For effective flea control services, find your local flea control team at Mosquito Squad^® Plus.

Identify Fleas Like A Pro

Fleas are known to infest homes and yards in search of a host, as they are parasites and need blood to reproduce. The first step to control fleas is knowing how to identify the pest. 

What do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas are tiny and wingless with reddish-brown, flat, oval-shaped bodies. They are only 1-3 millimeters long and have six legs. Their hind legs are largest and most powerful, allowing them to jump long distances. Their bodies are covered in bristles that help them cling to their hosts, and they have specialized piercing mouthparts for feeding on blood.

What Do Flea Eggs Look Like?

Flea eggs are oval-shaped and white or translucent. They can be very difficult to spot with the naked eye because they are about the size of a grain of salt. Flea eggs are smooth and tend to fall off their host into carpets, bedding, and floors. Since they are non-sticky and lightweight, they easily spread throughout homes and yards.

Signs of a Flea Infestation

If you think you may have fleas on your property, it’s important to act quickly. Female fleas can lay 50 eggs a day, so a minor flea issue can become an infestation before you know it!

Look for these common signs of fleas:

On Pets

A major sign of fleas on pets is “flea dirt,” which is flea feces containing digested blood. Flea dirt looks like black or dark specks on your pet’s fur and favorite areas. If you rub your pet with a wet paper towel, it will turn red from flea dirt. Sometimes you can also spot fleas themselves jumping or crawling through your pet’s fur, especially near the base of the tail, ears, and stomach. Changing behavior is another indicator of fleas. Your pet may become restless and anxious, avoid sleeping or lying down on their usual spots, or excessively bite or scratch their skin. Fleas on pets is also often a sign that there are fleas in your yard.

On People

Bites are the biggest sign of fleas on humans. Flea bites appear as small, red bumps, often in clusters along the legs, ankles, or waistline. They usually cause intense itching.

In Your Home

Signs of fleas in your house include the “flea dirt” mentioned above (dark specks), as well as eggs and larvae (small, worm-like, and pale-colored). Check bedding, furniture, carpets, and cracks in hard flooring.