Why Now Is The Right Time For Flea Prevention Around Your Lexington Home

We often think that when the weather is cold that we don’t need to worry about certain pests. Unfortunately, there are certain pests that we need to be cognizant of pretty much all year long. One such pest that we need to worry about here in Lexington is the flea. Although many consider there to be a “flea season,” the fact of the matter is this “season” just gets longer and longer to the point that fleas have become pretty much a year-round problem. And given that fleas can spread a number of bloodborne diseases, you need to know some preventative measures to keep fleas off of your property, ensuring the safety of you, your family, and your pets no matter the time of year. Additionally, should you notice an extreme number of fleas around your Lexington property, you will need to know the effective treatment options available to eliminate the problem. 

The Basics Of Fleas

Fleas are parasites which means they feed on the blood of animals. They take on a reddish color after feeding on a blood meal. Fleas are small, measuring in at about 1/16th of an inch, however, they have powerful rear legs which allow them to jump over seven inches high. Consequently, you or your pet could simply pass in the vicinity of fleas and end up picking them up.
 
Bites from fleas can become quite itchy and sometimes lead to allergic reactions. Worse still, given their diet of blood from a variety of animals, fleas can also spread bloodborne diseases to both humans and  pets. Some diseases that ticks have been known to spread include flea-borne spotted fever, plague, typhus, cat scratch fever, and tapeworms.

How Do Flea Problems Start?

Because fleas feed on the blood of animals, they are usually brought to our properties while riding on a host. This could a family pet who has picked them up somewhere, or it could be wildlife that has wandered into our yards. Wildlife such as deer, raccoons, possums, and many more could all bring the fleas into your yard. And it doesn’t stop there! Rodents, such as rats and mice are often hosts for fleas. If either of these enter your home, they could bring the fleas inside with them. This, in turn could mean that you then may have a rodent and a flea infestation..

Flea Prevention Tips

If you want to keep fleas off your property, the best thing you can do is make your property less accessible and less appealing to wildlife. Wildlife is usually to blame for the fleas appearing in the first place. In order to keep your home and property flea free you should:

• Place fencing around any gardens or growing fruits and vegetables
• Pick up any fallen fruits or vegetables from your yard
• Pick up any trash or food debris from outside dining areas 
• Pick up pet food and water bowls after they have finished eating
• Keep your lawn well-manicured
• Take your pets to the vet for year-round flea and tick treatments 
• Wash and clean your pet’s bedding and surrounding area regularly

For More Flea Advice And Assistance

For assistance in dealing with a flea infestation on your property, don’t hesitate to call the pest professionals here at Action Pest Control right away. Ask about our variety of residential pest control treatment plans which provide ongoing treatment to your home and property. After all, fleas are a year-round problem that requires a year-round solution. There’s no sense in letting fleas threaten the health of your family and your pets. Contact the experts at Action Pest Control today and wave bye-bye to your flea problem.