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The Truth About Fleas
As a Dayton pet owner, you’ve likely had some kind of concern about fleas. You might have truly felt threatened by the critter, but you knew that they posed your pet some kind of threat. They pose pets a threat everywhere, but they might pose more of a threat than you realize. They might even pose you a threat. Fleas are more than just nuisance pests. There are some situations where large flea infestations lead to death. That’s right, death! They transmit major diseases like typhus and the plague. They usually vector this disease by biting into the skin and passing the disease via saliva. They are also a threat to local wildlife.
The Common Flea In Dayton
While there are thousands on top of thousands of different species of fleas, it is the Cat Flea that is the most common in Dayton, Ohio. If you thought there were a lot of misconceptions surrounding other pests, you haven’t seen anything in regards to the Cat Flea. And, it starts with its name. Given its name, most people assume that this flea commonly invades cats or only invades feline-like creatures. This is completely untrue. The Cat Flea will commonly be found on dogs, cats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and opossums. There are times when this critter will enter the home without the presence of pets. This is much less rare, but there have been several reported situations of the Cat Flea entering a home when there were no pets present.
Understand The Flea Bite
Flea bites can be more troubling than most people give them credit for. In the least severe of cases, flea bites can lead to hair loss. This is something that is usually caused because of constant scratching or flea allergy dermatitis. In the largest infestation, there can be severe blood loss, anemia, or even death. Along with this, fleas are common hosts of tapeworms. Tapeworms can infect both humans and animals, which is an entirely different troubling matter.
Preventing Flea Infestations
Like other pest infestations, you’ll be much better off if you can stop an infestation before it starts. Of course, this is a lot harder said than done. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be in business. Regardless, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Don’t just a little bit can go an extremely long way. Here are some helpful things that you should consider. These things could be the difference between preventing an infestation and letting it fester in the home.
- Think twice about getting a pet if you are going to adapt and maintain a preventive flea program
- You’ll likely have to keep your pet on some kind of regular flea prevention and control
- Maintaining a well-manicured lawn can do a long way (3 inches in height should be acceptable)
- If you have a low deck, install a barricade or heavy-gauge fence to deter local wildlife
- Inspect your pets regularly for infestations while applying flea prevention products
- Regularly wash and vacuum your pet’s home and bedding
Fleas can be a tricky and touchy subject for many. Regardless, they are not anything new to us. We’ve been dealing with these critters since been in existence. We’ll likely be dealing with them for many years to come. Throughout the years, we have discovered some unique and exciting things about these critters. What we have shared here is just the start. Don’t just let us help you eliminate your flea problems, but let us help you keep it gone. We’ll provide you with preventive techniques that you can apply to your property to prevent future infestations.
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