Fleas

The Real Truth About Fleas Today!

If you live in Norfolk, you are likely a pet owner. Nothing wrong with this, as the area affords all kinds of unique opportunities for pets and owners alike. As rewarding as it might be to be a pet owner, there are quite a few innate risks that come along with being one. The first and foremost would be fleas, especially in Norfolk. Fleas are one of the leading critters in the area and likely will be for the unforeseeable future because of the unique properties of the area. While most people just write these critters off as a pest, they can be much, much more. There are some situations where severe infestations can even lead to death. They transmit diseases like typhus and plague, so you can see what a threat they can be.

What Types Of Fleas Are In Norfolk

There is a wide range of flea species throughout the world. There is even a wide range in Norfolk. However, it is only the Cat Flea that most Norfolk pet owners have to worry about. This flea goes by the scientific name Ctenocephalides Felis and can only grow to be 1/8 inch in length. They also have flat bodies that make them slippery, giving them the ability to glide through pet hairs and grabby, sluggish fingers. This is just one of the many things that contribute to their difficulty to eliminate and threat. As you’ve likely already surmised, there is a lot of misinformation regarding the Cat Flea. A lot of this has to do with its name.

Because of its name, most people just assume that this critter only feeds on cats and felines. Not true at all! This insect will be found on anything from the human to the skunk, raccoon, dog, opossum, fox, and any mammal within range.

Understanding The Threat Of The Flea Bite

Most people already know that fleas bite, but they just don’t know how threatening their bite can be. As was mentioned above, there have been some severe cases in Norfolk where reported fleas infestations lead to death. This was because of constant flea biting. The bite of the flea not only produces flea allergy dermatitis when there’s an allergic reaction, but in large infestations, constant biting can lead to anemia, hair loss, and death. In addition to all this, fleas are perfect hosts of tapeworms. These tapeworms can both infect humans and pets alike. So, they pose a major threat to the entire household.

Learning To Prevent Flea Infestations

As with any critter, it is best to prevent the problem. If this is not possible, you can at least try to stop the problem before it becomes a much larger one. The lower you keep the infestation, the better off you will be. The problem will not only be easier and quicker to treat, but it likely won’t cost you as much. With all this in mind, preventing flea infestations can be harder than most would imagine. This is something you’ve likely already discovered, being that you are here reading this. Here are some key things to keep in mind that might help you along the way:

• Think twice about getting a pet if you aren’t going to immediately adopt a preventive flea program
• Never feed stray wildlife, as they might already be infected with the critter
• Apply preventive flea ointments and salves weekly to your pets
• Maintain a neat and manicured lawn of at least 3 inches or lower
• If you have a deck or plan on building one, make sure you barricade it with heavy-gauge barricading material. This will prevent stray animals from building nests under there and attracting fleas
• Always keep a diligent eye on your pets
• Regularly vacuum and wash your pet’s bedding, housing, and clothes

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to eliminate the threat of fleas entirely. This does not, however, mean that you shouldn’t try because what little bit you do can go a long way. Regardless, we are here to help. We will not only eliminate the troublesome critter from your property, but we’ll help you develop a preventive flea program that will keep you, your property, and your pets flea-free. All you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call today for service tomorrow! We’ll get someone out to the property within the next 24 to 48 hours.

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