Fleas are a real nuisance for our pets. These parasitic insects derive from the insect order Siphonaptera. They are the only members of this order! They threaten our furry friend’s livelihoods by hanging out in yards, waiting to hitch a ride indoors to seek out shelter and a place to build their colonies. We all do our due diligence and treat our pets in the Spring and Summer for fleas, so they don’t have to suffer, but most people only associate fleas with those two Seasons! Truth be told, Autumn is the perfect time for fleas to come out and play too. They are greatly underestimated this time of year! Fleas and their larvae love humidity and moisture, since our precipitation levels go up in Autumn this provides them with the perfect weather to build their colonies and hatch their larvae. As the leaves begin to fall from the trees and our pets begin to grow their winter coats, fleas are literally being provided with a place to seek shelter! We will soon be turning off our air conditioners and closing our windows, preparing to sip pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider, and the fleas will be making their way indoors to seek out our warm, humble abodes so they can hatch their eggs.
Can Fleas Cause Health Problems in Pets
One of the most obvious signs of a flea infestation in our homes is when we see our pets scratching. This is caused by flea bite hypersensitivity and flea allergy dermatitis and it is miserable. It gets worse though! Following are some other health complications caused by fleas!
Bartonella infection– AKA cat scratch fever. Dogs contract these bacteria through contact with lice, ticks or fleas. This is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted between dogs, cats and humans! Signs and symptoms include a red bump at the site of the insect bite, nausea, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat, swollen or painful lymph nodes, fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea and inflammation of the eye.
Tapeworms– If your pet somehow swallows an infected immature flea larva, they can develop tapeworms. These nasty worms rob them of beneficial nutrients. Signs of tapeworms include your pet dragging their bums on the floor (scooting) to alleviate the intense itch they feel. In younger puppies, tapeworms can cause lack of growth, anemia and intestinal blockages.
Anemia– This is caused by rapid blood loss when fleas drain too much blood from the host. This results in listlessness, loss of appetite, weight loss, dark sticky stools, rapid breathing and pulse and abnormally long periods of sleeping.
How Do You Check for Fleas in Your House?
Fleas are hard to detect because of their tiny size. They are only about 1/10 inch in length and are masters of blending in with their environment. They have the ability to jump up to 50X their size! This makes your furry friend an easy target for these excellent jumpers. After our pets bring these parasitic insects inside, they set up camp, feast of your pet’s blood and lay their eggs onto their host. Eventually they fall off the pet, onto the places they frequent such as their bed, couch or blanket, then the life cycle continues.
Bed Bug Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
Fleas spread fast. Catching them at the first sign and treating for them early on is key. If you notice your pet has fleas, immediately treat them for the fleas, then wash your pets bedding thoroughly and vacuum your furniture and floors. Keeping your yard free of excess organic debris will also aid in keeping them out of your yard. A-Tex Pest Management can apply chemical pest control methods to your home and yard that are effective in eliminating fleas and warding off future invasions. Give us a call today to set up a custom pest control treatment plan for your home and keep your furry friends safe.
