Making Your Fleas Infestation FleeFleas can be an itchy mess, but YES can help.

Understanding FleasWorldwide, there are 2,000 different species of fleas. And in every case, they are a problem. Even if you don’t have any pets, you could still have fleas.The best flea control methods have to deal with the whole issue, including any pets, the house, and the yard.

What Do Fleas Look Like?

It’s actually difficult to see a flea because they’re often less than 1/8 of an inch in length. The cat flea is the most common household pest. They are often a red-brown color. They typically don’t have wings, and they can look like a walking coin.

Nom . . .Nom . . .Nom. . .

Fleas are some of the hungriest creatures out there. They will bite anything they can find from your foot to your dog. This becomes an issue if you have children in the house. A flea bite is a small red spot with a tiny halo around it. These bites can cause allergic dermatitis, which may lead to a secondary infection.

In Addition to Bites . . .

Biting is not the only damage a flea can do. They can also transmit diseases including tapeworms. Symptoms of this serious condition include vomiting, fever, and a rash. If you think you or your child is suffering as a result of flea bites, seek medical attention immediately.

A Flea’s Life

Fleas tend to remain on the host because females must have fresh blood to produce eggs. A female flea can lay 50 eggs in a single day, and those eggs will take just two days to hatch. Flea eggs are white and oval shaped and will drop from your pet to other surfaces in the house. Once the eggs hatch, they turn into larvae, hairy little creatures that look like worms. After 8 days, they build a cocoon, where they can remain for up to 12 months to ensure conditions are right for hatching. Once they hatch, they quickly find a host, and live on it for up to 30 days.

4 Facts to Remember Now Adult fleas spend most of

their time on the host, so if you have a pet, you need to treat it to end the problem.

Any place your pet spends time could play host to flea eggs.

After the larvae hatch, they use the area around them as protection.

A larvae’s cocoon is resistant to all insecticides.

Three Steps to SuccessIn order to completely eliminate fleas, you’ll need to focus on these three treatment areas: Your Home: Focus most of your efforts on the

areas where pets frequent. Vacuum regularly, then wash the container with hot, soapy water. Wash your pet’s bedding too. Expect to see fleas for up to two weeks after your home has been treated.

Your Pet: Take your pet to a vet for a flea shampoo and ongoing treatment. You may also need to comb your pet regularly for a few weeks.

Your Yard: To see if you have a flea problem in your yard, slip on a pair of white socks and go for a walk. If you have fleas, they’ll jump on your socks immediately.

Dealing with Flea Problems

If you do have a flea problem in your house, it's essential to eliminate them as soon as possible.