Fleas have been sucking the blood of humans and animals for millions of years. Adult fleas are about 1/8th of an inch in size with a flat body from side to side. Like other bloodsuckers, they have piercing mouths that aid them in their bloodsucking endeavors. Fleas are wingless, reddish brown to black in color and are often confused with bed bugs, ticks and lice.
You can find a New Jersey flea infestation in carpets, furniture, bedding material, curtains, and anyplace outdoors. New Jersey pest control professionals say that although the reaction to the bite wound is somewhat similar, having a flea infestation in your home differs from having a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are known for their bite and run sneaky nighttime behavior. Once a flea finds a non-human mammal host, it tends to stay with the victim slurping away as long as possible.
Typical homes that are found to have a flea infestation problem are often found with:
• 50% flea eggs
• 35% flea larvae
• 10% flea cocoons
• 5% fleas on pets
Fleas feed on blood and can live without a meal for up to 100 days. Once a female flea has had its meal, it will begin laying eggs within 36 to 48 hours. One female flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime, so it’s easy to see how a NJ flea infestation can quickly get out of hand.
New Jersey pest control professionals say that fleas not only cause annoying itching and potentially secondary infections, but fleas also are known carriers of disease. Throughout history, flea bites have been attributed with the plague which is an infectious disease that is contracted by animals and humans alike. Mostly unheard of in modern day times, this flea-borne illness still kills on average about 15 people in the US each year. For effective NJ flea treatment in Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean Counties, contact Allison Pest Control.