Fleas & Flea Control Service - Habitat, Life Cycle and Health Concerns

Fleas are a common pet pest. These blood feeding ectoparasites require blood meals from the hosts that they infect.Not only do fleas cause discomfort such as pain and itching by biting, but they also can spread diseases and pathogens. Fleas can infest a residence when they fall off your furry four-legged pets and onto fabric bedding, furniture, carpet and reproduce quickly. However, it is also possible to acquire a flea infestation without animals in the home. This could be a sign of potential rodent problem or stray cats and birds could be transferring fleas into your yard. The expert jumping skills and hitchhiking abilities of fleas allow them to transport themselves effortlessly and move easily once they invade a residence. 

Most fleas infest mammals and some fleas infest birds.The most important flea to people in Southwest Riverside County are cat and dog fleas. Cat and dog fleas are host fleas, spending their entire adult life on their host, compared to nest fleas which primarily infest rodents and birds.

Flea Health Concerns

Flea bites can cause pain and irritation since they feed on blood with tube-like mouth parts. The most common flea found in Southwest Riverside County is the cat flea, which infests both cat, dogs and humans. The dog flea is rarely found in North America. The oriental rat flea is of historical significance and is the main vector of the highly virulent bubonic plague or "black death". Dog and cat fleas can transmit other pathogens such as tapeworm. Flea saliva can cause skin allergies in pets and humans. 

Flea Life Cycle

A flea’s life cycle begins when the female lays eggs after feeding. Fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day, releasing an egg per hour, making areas where the host sleeps one of the primary habitats of eggs and developing fleas. Flea eggs are impervious to pesticides and treatments against them and hatch 2-14 days after being laid. Normal flea populations consist of 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae and 5% adults. Fleas are able to detect movement, pressure, heat, noise, or carbon dioxide in order to find a host.

Fleas transmit diseases.

Flea Inspection

AmeriGuard’s Flea Defense Service begins with a licensed technician providing a full inspection of your home. During the inspection, your technician will identify all flea problem areas as well as potential flea harborages. Fleas are often located under porches and decks as well as pet bedding, shoes, pant legs or blankets. 

Preparation For Service
For your protection, AmeriGuard requires all flea services to comply with our Flea Control and Preparation Checklist before the flea treatment can begin. We recommend vacuuming thoroughly and disposing of your vacuum bag, picking up all toys and objects on the floors and moving all furniture away from the walls. Upon arrival, your flea technician will verify completion of the preparation checklist. Failure to complete the steps listed in the preparation checklist may delay treatment and potentially void any guarantees on our flea service.

Flea Pest Control Service
AmeriGuard Pest Defense treats for fleas using specially formulated, low toxicity chemicals and insect growth regulators. This one-two combination eliminates both active adult fleas and prevents larval forms of fleas from reaching maturity.
Flea Control for Pets
During your flea treatment, we ask that all pets be removed from the premises. In addition, we ask that all pets be on flea control medication or have flea treatments performed at the time of service. Without eliminating fleas where they start, your pets will continue to re-infest your home.
Follow-up Flea Treatment
Two weeks after your initial treatment, your technician will return for a follow-up visit. During the follow up, your technician will inspect your problem areas for signs of remaining fleas. If needed, your technician will re-treat problem areas for total control. Our flea extermination methods have one of the lowest re-treatment rates in the industry.

Flea Prevention Tips 

• Keep lawns maintained to prevent hiding spots and harborages
• Address any rodent problems immediately 
• Keep pets on a leash while outside and bathe and groom dogs and cats regularly
• Wash pet bedding and pet toys often
• Clean and vacuum carpets frequently 

Flea Problems?
Are you battling a flea problem or have just begun to see emerging signs of an infestation? The longer you wait or try to unsuccessfully wage a war against fleas yourself, the more eggs will be produced and the problem will worsen. If you find adult fleas, then there may also be hundreds of eggs inside your home waiting to hatch. Infestations pop up quickly and are harder to control the more time that goes by.Call your local and licensed pest professionals at AmeriGuard Pest Defense at (951) 652-0505 or visit our website and send us a submission form. We will get in touch with you within 24 hours of receipt of your request.