Protect Your Family from Summer and Fall Fleas

A flea infestation can be a major headache for Monmouth County, New Jersey homeowners. Fleas, which live on animals and feed on their blood, are typically brought into homes by pets that spend time outdoors.

How Pets Get Fleas

Fleas are a year-round problem. Pets do not need to romp in the woods to get fleas. These tiny parasites or their eggs and larvae may be deposited on suburban lawns by roaming squirrels, raccoons, mice, rats and other wildlife. Fall foraging for lawn grubs, seeds and nuts often brings flea-infested wildlife into New Jersey yards at this time of year, increasing your pets’ risk of flea bites and infestation.

How Fleas Infest Homes

The size of a sesame seed, fleas are wingless, reddish-brown insects with narrow bodies that allow them to navigate easily between dense animal hairs. Their powerful back legs allow fleas to jump amazing distances relative to their size: 7 inches straight up and more than a foot horizontally. Flea eggs do not adhere to animal skin and, with larvae, can fall off pets onto pet beds, carpets, furniture and anywhere pets sleep — including your or your children’s beds!

How to Get Rid of Fleas

Getting rid of an active indoor flea infestation is not a job for do-it-yourselfers. Fleas will bite people. Their bites usually leave uncomfortable, itchy red rashes and can transmit diseases dangerous to humans. Treating your pets with a reliable flea preventative can help reduce the risk of indoor flea infestations. If your pet does bring fleas into your home, don’t risk a major infestation; call the professional flea exterminators at Allison Pest Control for prompt, expert flea extermination.