If you have pets or livestock, there’s a fair chance that you may have to deal with fleas at some point. Although fleas are most active in the warmer months, they can hitchhike on your pets or clothes year-round. Understanding the signs of a flea infestation in Bartlesville, OK can help you prevent them from causing further damage.

Here’s how to spot and deal with fleas in your home.

Telltale signs you have fleas

Not sure if you have fleas? Watch out for these obvious signs of an infestation:

• Fleas on your pets: Even one flea is a sign of a problem. Fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day, which means you need to spot them and get rid of them right away. Use a flea comb to go through your pet’s fur after they’ve been outside. You’re looking for small black, brown or reddish specks in the fur. Fleas are about an eighth of an inch long, and can jump long distances. Look very carefully for them, and if you see one, kill it right away.
• Flea bites: Another way to tell you’re dealing with a flea problem is spotting flea bites—either on yourself or your pet. Fleas typically bite humans around the ankles and other bare skin areas, while pets tend to be bitten on the belly, hindquarters, legs and neck. These bites can be red and inflamed, irritated or itchy. If your pet seems to be scratching themselves more than usual, get out the flea comb and give them a once-over.
• Flea dirt: Fleas leave their feces behind, especially in your pet’s fur. Use your flea comb to look for dark specks that don’t move when you comb through the fur. Use a damp paper towel to further identify flea dirt—if the specks turn dark reddish brown when they touch the water, you’re dealing with fleas. The red color is due to the blood they consume.

How to get rid of fleas in your home

As soon as you’ve determined you have fleas, you’ll need to start treatment right away. Since fleas can reproduce so fast, the quicker you act, the less hassle you’ll have to deal with.

First, call your veterinarian to ask what kind of flea treatment they recommend for your individual pet. Use your flea comb to find fleas, eggs or larvae on your pet, then kill the fleas in hot soapy water. (Your vet may recommend a flea bath and flea collar to prevent future issues.)

Next, thoroughly vacuum any carpet and draperies. You’ll need to do this daily until the infestation is completely eliminated. Wash your bedding and your pet’s bedding in hot, soapy water.

Finally, call a pest control service like Excellence Pest Control. We can help you check for fleas and eliminate them throughout your home in Bartlesville, OK. The faster you call us to address the problem, the faster you can get back to normal life.

Excellence Pest Control offers a full array of pest control and extermination services. Call us today to get started addressing your flea infestation.