Fleas
Have a flea infestation?
Did you know that there are about 2,500 different species of fleas? All 2,500 of them are external parasites who survive by hematophagy — or in other words, the practice of consuming the blood of their hosts. They can’t fly, but don’t underestimate their ability to get around: fleas can jump up to about 7 inches up, and about 13 inches sideways. Their impressive jumping skills are among the best in the animal kingdom, which is very bad news for us!
Why? Because fleas are the source of a huge variety of illnesses and infections, including tapeworm, bubonic plague, and painful rashes. Humans are not the only species to suffer from flea-related problems: they’re as happy to feed off of other mammals and birds as well! If your dog has ever had fleas, you’ve seen firsthand just how hard these tiny critters can make life for their fellow inhabitants of planet earth: dogs with fleas are often miserable as they are unable to get any relief from the itch and sting caused by flea bites.
How do I get rid of fleas?
People ask us all the time “how do I get rid of fleas?” The answer is that you contact Pure Pest so that someone who knows what they’re dealing with and how to guard against re-infestation can help you. Some of our methods include:
Chemical Management – Fleas have become very resistant to pyrethroid insecticides, so proper chemical management is very important.
Steam Treatment – This is effective but the temperature must reach 150 to 170 degrees. It is labor-intensive, tedious and time-consuming. You’ll want someone who knows when and how to use steam treatment in combination with other methods to help you with it. This will ensure this method is used efficiently, and no time or effort is wasted.
Vacuuming – Vacuuming is effective but it must be done consistently and must be complemented by use of pesticides.
The flea life cycle is relatively short though it can vary based on conditions. In some cases, a flea can grow from an egg to an adult flea within a 2-3 week timeframe; in other cases it can take a few months. Fleas begin their lives as eggs, and then mature to larva. Larva spin cocoons which they enter during their next stage of life— the pupal stage. As larvae, fleas spin cocoons to live in for the duration of their pupal stage, emerging from them as fully grown adult fleas, ready for a host animal to pass by so it can jump on them and begin to feed.
It is important to note that cocoons are immune to insecticides. Any flea cocoons that are part of the infestation during a treatment will protect the pupa within so you could find yourself dealing with another infestation once the fully grown fleas emerge. To ensure that your flea elimination efforts are successful, you’ll need the help of a professional with experience in dealing with fleas. Pure Pest technicians handle flea problems all the time. Once your technician has a full understanding of what they’re dealing with, they’ll be able to develop a plan that eliminates the infestation, including the fleas that are protected inside their cocoons.
Common St. Louis flea types
Fleas can be very annoying, and as we’ve mentioned, they can spread infection and diseases so it’s important to act fast if you think your home has become infested. In St. Louis, if you’re dealing with fleas, you’re likely to be dealing with one of the following three types:
Cat Flea
Don’t be fooled by the name, these fleas can be found on dogs as well as cats. You may spot their eggs nested in your carpets if they fall off your pet.
Human Flea
Human fleas find the hairy parts of the human body and like to stay there— YUCK! Luckily, you won’t need to worry too much about these fleas if you practice good personal hygiene, and keep conditions in and around your home clean and sanitary.
Rat Flea
Rat fleas feed on blood. They attach themselves to mice, rats, and even humans. If you see these, call Pure Pest immediately so we can help protect you from the spread of infection, disease, and discomcomfort!
No matter what flea type you’re dealing with, we’re here to help. Contact us today to get rid of your fleas fast.
Safe St. Louis flea exterminators
Because of the proximity of humans to the infested areas, we take extra precautions to avoid any toxicity or allergies developing in our customers and their families— that includes any fluffy or feathered members of the household that might find themselves especially uncomfortable in the midst of an infestation! We are very careful to ensure that nothing that could be harmful to curious pets or young children is used without every precaution in place to protect your safety. You can expect your Pure Pest technician to listen to your description of the problem, make a plan, and help you understand what to expect— all with as little disruption to your life and household as possible!
