Winter is coming for the sunshine state. In fact, stepping outside today was pretty nice. For maybe the first time this year I didn’t start to instantly pour sweat. And though our winters are short, they’re pretty great. One of the biggest upsides is that a lot of our flying, outdoor pests go dormant for a few months. They’re never gone completely, but any break is welcome really. But there is no true seasonal break from the chance of a Florida Flea infestation.
But, that means this is the season to deal with indoor pests. And though indoor pests can be year round, they get worse when the weather is cool outside and they need shelter. Today’s pest of the day is going to be the flea.
Fleas are tiny, super athletic, and tougher than nails to get rid of. You need to concurrently clean your home, your pets, and yourself free of infestation at the same time. So let’s go over how we’ll do that.
Florida Flea Infestation: Overview
Though they don’t really rank among the most dangerous, fleas are very annoying pests. They’re small enough to avoid notice and get around your home without issue. Then they’re agile and strong enough to spread to every corner of your home if you’re not careful. Fleas are tiny, reddish-brown bugs. They are parasites that feed off of the blood of birds and mammals. And while they prefer the blood of animals, they can feed off the blood of humans.
And like I mentioned before with their agility, they’re VERY powerful jumper. If humans had proportional strength to a flea, they’d be able to leap over the golden gate bridge! That means traveling from host to host with a single bound is no issue for these parasites. As you can imagine, they have no need for wings so they don’t have them.
And if you’re one of the rare cases where the fleas take a liking to YOUR blood, it can get pretty gross. They leave you with swollen, itchy marks. And these marks can cause allergic reactions within some people. And, like any pest that sucks blood, they can transfer blood-borne diseases as they go. According to a CDC statement, the number of illnesses caused by flea bites has been increasing: tripling in number between 2004 and 2016.
Infestation Signs
One of the first telltale signs of a Florida flea infestation is always going to be the itching. Fleas may jump onto you from your pet and bite you to feed on your blood.
When a flea bites you, your body releases a chemical called “histamine” as a reaction to the saliva from the flea. Histamine causes a red, itchy bump to form at the location of the bite. If you scratch it, the bump may get bigger, and the itching will often get worse.
Unlike mosquito bites, flea bites on humans are usually located on the lower legs and feet. The bites are characterized by red spots surrounded by red halos. Additional symptoms of a fleabite may include hives, a rash, or even swelling around the bitten area. Symptoms begin immediately after you’re bitten. No tests are necessary to confirm a fleabite, as they can usually be diagnosed based on an accurate physical examination. However, you may need to take your pet to a veterinarian to be checked and treated for fleas.
But a flea infestation can happen to more than just you or your dog. On average, fleas are 2.5 millimeters long, making them visible to the naked eye. Their strong legs allow them to jump as far as 13 inches in distance. The life cycle of the flea depends on environmental conditions. Fleas flourish in warm climates. The ideal temperature range is 80 to 90°F (26 to 32 °C) with 70 percent humidity.
In these conditions, fleas have a life cycle of 18 to 21 days. If the weather isn’t ideal and there isn’t a host to feed on, flea larvae may remain dormant for months while waiting for better conditions to develop. On average, adult fleas live from several weeks to several months.
You can treat your pets for fleas by cleaning their fur with anti-flea shampoo and anti-flea powder. You should also put an anti-flea collar on your pets or apply a topical medication, such as Frontline or Advantage. The collar and medication can treat the flea infestation on your pets and prevent another one from occurring. There are also oral anti-flea medications available. Your veterinarian can help you decide which method will work best for you and your pets.
Florida Flea Infestation: Control
Having mature fleas on your pet is like having a walking flea nursery around the house. Fleas reproduce VERY quickly, and any that you eliminate off of your pet isn’t enough. To get rid of an infestation for real, you need to both free your pet of it and your home at the same time.
To start with, use a powerful vacuum on your floors. This also goes for any upholstery and mattresses. Cracks and other tight spaces are usually good hiding places for fleas and their cohort of eggs, larvae, and cocoons. If you can, use a vacuum with a bag you can dispose of without coming into contact with its contents.
Then rent yourself a steam cleaner. Use this for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. The combination of high heat and soap is the enemy of fleas in all stages of life. Pay special attention to any hot spots where your pet usually lies down.
Then you’ll probably have to use some chemical treatments. Aerosol sprays are recommended over the foggers, as you can direct the spray under beds or other places that the foggers may be unable to reach. Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide, such as permethrin, that kills adult fleas, and an insect growth regulator, such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen, that kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae. People and pets shouldn’t come into contact with the spray until it has dried. Be sure to wear gloves when you apply the spray, and only spray when everyone is out of the house. It’s tough, but you can control a Florida Flea Infestation.
