Why Are There Fleas In My Richmond, VA Home?

Fleas are common pests for pet owners. But, if you don't own a pet, you may be scratching your head (and other parts of your body) wondering how fleas got inside your home. We're here to help you with that mystery. Here are a few of the ways fleas get into Richmond homes, along with some tips to keep them out.

Furniture

If you buy a piece of second-hand furniture, you could get a second-hand flea infestation. Fleas can establish themselves inside couches, chairs, and other upholstered furniture. As you can probably imagine, fleas get into these items when flea-infested dogs and cats lie on them. Flea eggs and flea dirt fall off the animals and create the conditions necessary for new flea development.

If this occurs just before you buy the item, the seller may not know. Plus, you'll have a hard time detecting the fleas. Newly hatched flea larvae don't hop around. They wiggle. So, you won't have the warning sign of tiny insects springing through the air. Keep in mind that this might be where your infestation began.

Clothing, Blankets & Other Fabrics

Buying used clothing and other items can bring an infestation into your home. Just like furniture, a piece of clothing can have flea eggs or tiny 2mm-long flea larvae, which look like worms. It is a good idea to always run newly purchased used clothing through a 30-minute dryer cycle. This kills fleas in all stages of development.

You

When you go into your yard, it is possible for you to pick fleas up and bring them inside. While fleas don't take humans as hosts, they can leap onto skin and clothing. If you bring a female flea into your home, she might have the ability to lay eggs and start an infestation. Fortunately, this is rare.

Rodents

One way fleas come into homes that is not rare is by hitching a ride on a rodent. This is very common - more common than fleas coming in on dogs and cats. When a mouse or rat gets into a home in Richmond, they tend to explore every level. As they do, they drop fleas in the places they explore, and especially where they nest. If you have a flea infestation but do not have pets, this is the likely reason.

When pet owners have trouble with rodents, they have a compound problem on their hands. While they're diligently working to rid their pet(s) of fleas, more fleas can be brought into the home by the infesting rodents. Mice and rats can go in and out of a home as they look for food and water resources. Both infestations need to be addressed in order to solve the problem.

Disease Transmission

Fleas aren't born with diseases; they acquire them. A significant reservoir for flea-borne diseases is rodents. This makes it even more important to properly deal with rodent infestations when fleas become a problem.

How To Keep Fleas Out Of Your Richmond Home

There are a few obvious ways to prevent a flea infestation. But there are many that are not so obvious.

• Getting a flea collar for your pet should be the first step. But keep in mind that it is not 100 percent protection.
• Purchasing flea control products that are suggested by your veterinarian is another obvious way to stop fleas in their tracks.
• Taking steps to prevent animals from getting into your yard is important. Wild animals bring fleas into your yard in the first place. This includes squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, raccoons, and deer - not just mice and rats. Make sure your trash is in sealed containers that can't be knocked over. Protect vegetables, fruits, berries, and plants by putting fencing around them. Make sure to install fencing at least a foot under the ground to prevent burrowing animals from getting under. Move bird feeders away from your exterior. Seeds are a highly desirable food source for animals.
• Reduce moisture around your home. This is required for the development of fleas near your home.
• Seal entry points in your home to keep rodents (and fleas) out.

Pest Control In Richmond

Remember that you're not alone. If fleas or rodents infest your home, the licensed pest professionals here at Go-Forth Home Services have the training, experience, and equipment to deal with them. 

Reach out to us today. We can help you with our professional pest control service.