Since you won’t be able to tell when these pests hitch a ride on your pets, you’ll have to look out for the warning signs, such as:
- Your pets won’t stop scratching
- An itchy red rash or scabs develop on your pet’s body
- Your pet begins to lose its hair
- You notice flea eggs or flea droppings on your pet or around its living area
- Your pet has white or pale gums
- You start to notice tapeworms in your pet’s droppings
But how dangerous are fleas for Oklahoma City pet owners, and how can you prevent them from ending up on your family pets? Here’s what you need to know.
Why Are Fleas Dangerous For Pets And Their Owners In Oklahoma City?
Some Oklahoma pet owners may assume that fleas are inevitable, but you don’t want to get too comfortable with the idea of these pests. While they may look harmless, they’re capable of causing a lot of harm to your pet, or you.
Not only can the continuous scratching from a flea bite result in an infection if it’s left untreated, but some pets may even have allergic reactions that cause them to lose their hair or get a rash. Along with the risk of an infection or allergic reaction, there are also flea-borne diseases to worry about.
Throughout history, fleas have been responsible for numerous plagues, including the infamous bubonic plague that resulted in the death of 200 million people. Some of the potential diseases that fleas in Oklahoma City may carry include Tungiasis, Tularemia, and Murine typhus.
Our pets are susceptible to some of these flea-borne diseases, but humans can be too – fleas may enter your home on your pets, but they’re also known for biting people.
How To Prevent Fleas
Once you’ve got them, fleas can be tricky to get rid of, but there are a few preventative measures that you can take to stop them from making it past the door:
- Fleas and flea eggs may hide in your carpet, furniture or clothing, so make sure you vacuum and wash items in your home regularly (especially items or bedding that your pet uses).
- Treat your pets for fleas all year round, not just during the spring or summertime.
- Regularly inspect your property and deter other hosts, such as raccoons, feral cats, or rodents.
Even if you don’t have pets, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to be worried about a possible flea infestation. Wildlife hosts, like squirrels, raccoons, opossums, or skunks can all lead fleas to your property. Mice or rats that may also be bunkering down inside your home can be another source of fleas.
Contact Guaranteed Pest Service Of Oklahoma
While you can take preventative measures to keep fleas away, the best form of flea control for Oklahoma City homeowners is a collaborative effort between your regular vet and a pest control professional like Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma.
If you suspect that your property may have a flea problem, you shouldn’t wait for your pets to bring them in. Our technicians at Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma are experts at identifying and managing flea problems in Oklahoma City, so contact us today for an inspection!
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