Fleas

Fleas are a common pest worldwide, but the most common type found in Maryland is the cat flea. It is found on cats, dogs and other animals, and are known to bite humans. Fleas are known carriers of many diseases that infect humans through bites, like flea-borne typhus and plague. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms if swallowed by a human or animal when the tapeworm eggs are present within the flea. Stopping the flea lifecycle and killing current adults in tandem is key to ending an infestation, as females lay 4-8 eggs every time they feed on a blood meal. Adult fleas can also live up to a year! Flea control is necessary even in households that don’t have pets, as many wild animals have fleas. Fleas are heat sensitive, so regular vacuuming and/or steam cleaning your carpets and soft furniture can help control the adult population, but the suction isn’t strong enough to remove any eggs or larvae found deep within carpet fibers. If you see signs of an infestation, call us immediately!