Signs of Fleas

Is your dog or cat constantly scratching? When your pet seems to be uncomfortable day and night, it’s difficult to determine if they have a skin issue or fleas. Fleas bite which causes itching and discomfort. If left unchecked, flea populations can multiply affecting other pets in your household. Before going to the vet, here are a few ways to determine if you have fleas in your home.

Signs of Fleas

If you are concerned that fleas have infested your pet, look for these signs of flea activity:

1. Sightings of fleas. Can you see fleas crawling on your pet’s coat? They are usually reddish-brown and about 2mm long.
2. Check the hindquarters of your dog or the head and neck of your cat. These are the areas that are targeted and where you might see signs of flea activity.
3. Carefully look at your pet’s skin for fine black droppings. This is called flea dirt’ or adult flea feces and looks like ground black pepper. A good way to spot it is to use a flea comb over a sheet of white paper, which makes it easier to see the small black specks.
4. Another sign is flea dirt on pet bedding, carpets, or rugs.  Flea dirt in essence is the waste a flea leaves after feeding, dried blood, and feces.

Looking for Flea Eggs

Many times pet owners believe that they have eliminated fleas in their homes, but they haven’t. This is due to the tiny size of flea eggs which makes them difficult to spot, and removing eggs is essential in breaking the life-cycle of these pests.

Fleas will lay their eggs on your pet’s body, but they don’t remain there. Eggs can easily fall off and become hidden in rugs, carpets, bedding, and gaps in floorboards. Flea eggs are very small, about 0.5 mm long, oval, and white. The size of flea eggs makes them essentially invisible to spot against rough surfaces, fabrics, and materials.

Need Help Treating Your Home for Fleas?

A flea problem in your property can be a real nuisance. But can an exterminator get rid of fleas for you? Florida Pest Control’s flea exterminators will work with you to ensure all signs of fleas in your property are gone, for good. Contact us today!