Has your pet started itching themselves a lot? Have you spotted something jump around on the carpet?
If yes, you may have a flea infestation.
Identifying that there are fleas in your home can certainly be worrying, and due to their super-fast reproduction rate, it can be a tough ask to get rid of them completely.
Although there are many different types of fleas, in the UK we mainly encounter three of those:
- cat flea Ctenocephalides felis
- dog fleas Ctenocephalides canis
- human flea Pulex irritans
These fleas feed on blood of mammals and birds and can cause a nuisance for any household pet. Every pet owner should definitely be aware of the signs and how to spot a potential flea infestation, which include:
1. Your dog (or cat) is itching themselves.
If you see your pet scratching, itching or biting themselves often, and they look irritated – fleas may well be the cause. When fleas bite, they leave a really sharp pain – which can not only hurt your pets but also become repeatedly annoying.
2. You can see ‘flea dirt’
Flea dirt is what fleas leave behind them, usually looking like specs of pepper. You will most probably spot this on your pet or in its’ space. The best places to find flea dirt is
- Pets bed
- The carpet
- Any furniture that your pet sits on
3. Hair Loss
Are you noticing your pet loosing hair? This could be down to a number of things, including a reaction to fleas. Most prominently, dogs and cats will usually end up pulling some of their own hair out – as they continually itch, scratch and lick to relieve the pain from flea bites.
4. Pets gums are a pale colour
As flea infestations are usually rather large, it runs the risk of causing anaemia in your pets (most usually younger pets). This is because fleas suck out so much blood when they bite, to feed, it causes a severe loss of red blood cells.
5. Bite marks on humans
Flea bites are usually most prominent on the lower legs and feet. Usually, these bites are red spots circled by a halo like shape. Reactions can include:
- Hives
- A red rash
- Swelling on the bite
Getting rid of fleas can pose an extremely difficult task. To prevent further reproduction, you must find and eliminate all of the flea eggs. If you think your home may have a flea infestation, then give me a contact me and I will be on hand to make your home, flea-free!