What Los Angeles County Is Reporting About Flea-Borne Typhus

According to NBC Los Angeles, as of September 22, 2026, 109 cases of flea-borne typhus have been reported. 

So, if you think typhus is a disease only reserved for war and famine, you’re mistaken. In fact, you could have pests around your home in Pasadena carrying this disease right now. And that’s exactly why an effective, consistent pest control plan has never been more important in your area. 

So, how does typhus spread, and most importantly, how can you prevent it? 

How Flea-Borne Typhus Spreads

It all starts with fleas. Fleas tend to show up on rats, opossums, free-roaming cats, and other animals that might be close to your property. Infected fleas can spread typhus when their feces enter broken skin or mucous membranes, often after someone scratches a bite. 

Common symptoms include:

• Headaches 
• Chills
• Muscle aches 
• Rash 

So, if you’ve experienced these symptoms and you’ve been around these types of animals with potentially infected fleas, make sure to consult a healthcare professional. 

Flea and Rodent Activity Around Your Home Matters

Your property could harbor these types of animals with fleas (without you realizing it). 

If you think about it, rodents don’t need too much to find their way onto your property. All they need is an opportunity, the promise of shelter, and of course, food sources. 

Here are a few things that might attract rodents (and other common animals who carry fleas) to your home: 

• Overflowing trash bins 
• Pet food left outside
• Woodpiles
• Dense vegetation
• Cluttered storage areas

All of these give rodents and other wildlife a place to settle close to your home (and they might bring fleas with them). 

And once they’re attracted to your home, here’s how animals (rodents especially) can get into your home:

• Gaps around your foundation 
• Vents
• Utility lines

Additionally, your own pets can bring fleas inside after a day spent outside. 

While none of this means you have a problem right now, it does mean you have the conditions that could bring typhus right to your doorstep. 

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Exposure to Typhus

But here’s the good news: there are simple steps you can take today that can help reduce your exposure to typhus. 

Public health guidance on flea-borne typhus focuses on three main things:

• Flea control for pets
• Avoiding contact with stray or wild animals
• Keeping rodents out of your home 

And here’s what you can do around your home to help keep fleas away from your property in Pasadena: 

• Stay up to date with year-round flea control for your pets. 
• Refrain from leaving food outside that might attract stray or wild animals. 
• Seal gaps around your foundation, utility lines, vents and garage doors. 
• Store pet food, bird seed, and pantry items in sealed, hard-sided containers. 
• Keep trash secured 
• Clear clutter, debris, and woodpiles away from your home 
• Trim back dense vegetation close to your home

While these tips aren’t foolproof, they will help reduce your risk of contracting typhus in the Pasadena area. 

Where Professional Pest Control Can Help

DIY solutions can help, but only go so far. Rodents, being persistent and resourceful, will stop at nothing to enter your home. When given the opportunity, they will. And, they might bring infected fleas with them. 

That’s where we can help. Professional rodent control can help extend all the hard work you put into your property. Our trained technicians begin with a full inspection of your property and find out exactly where rodents enter. From there, they build a unique-to-you plan. 

Also, if fleas are an ongoing problem for you, our flea control services help reduce flea activity on your property, too. 

Remember, pest control is one tool to help reduce pest populations on your property. It can never be a substitute for veterinary care or medical advice for your family. 

Get Pest Control Help From Mosquito Squad of Pasadena

While the 109 reported cases of typhus are county-wide and not specific only to Pasadena, it’s good to have on your radar. 

Because fleas, rodents, and other wildlife don’t stick to one neighborhood. So, stay ahead of pests and stay consistent with pest control. 

Wondering how we can help keep fleas and rodents away from your Pasadena property? Call Mosquito Squad of Pasadena at (213) 238-5564 or request a free quote online.