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Fleas can be persistent and quickly turn your peaceful home into an itchy battleground. Their small, compressed bodies make it easy for them to hide and move through animal hair or feathers. Fleas are one of the most challenging pests to eliminate since they are tiny and can quickly reproduce. If you spot fleas in your home, it’s best to hire a professional flea exterminator to assist with getting rid of fleas and ensure long-term relief.
At Ehrlich, our pest management professionals are highly trained, experienced, and equipped with the latest tools and technology to provide effective pest control for fleas. Our team will work with you to develop a customized flea treatment plan that meets your needs. Whether you need a one-time flea removal service or ongoing preventative maintenance, Ehrlich is here to help.
If you’re interested in flea control services, contact us today to set up a free inspection.
Signs of fleas in your home
Recognizing the early signs of fleas can save you from a full-blown infestation. Here are a few indications that fleas may be present in your home:
- Biting or itching on pets: Check for fleas if your pet scratches more than usual. You may see small dark spots in their fur.
- Bites on your skin: Fleas often bite around ankles or legs, causing small, red, itchy bumps.
- Flea droppings: Flea dirt, which resembles black pepper flakes, may appear on pet bedding, carpets, or furniture.
- Sightings of fleas or flea larvae: Adult fleas are small, dark, and capable of jumping, whereas flea larvae, which are white and worm-like, are often found in carpets or furniture seams.
For more information, see our guide to flea identification: What do fleas look like?
How flea infestations begin
Flea infestations often start when fleas hitch a ride into your home on a pet or human. Once indoors, fleas can lay hundreds of eggs, creating a rapid and difficult-to-control cycle. They may spread to carpets, upholstery, and bedding, establishing a base for further reproduction.
Professional flea removal & extermination methods
Fleas can be resilient and often require a combination of treatments to eliminate. At Ehrlich, our technicians use a treatment process that targets your property's interior and exterior against fleas.
Flea inspection
First, your technician will thoroughly examine your property to determine the flea species and size of the infestation.
Aerosol and liquid concentrate
Your technician may use aerosol or liquid concentrate adulticide treatments on areas where fleas reside, such as pet bedding, carpets, rugs, flooring, and more.
Spot applications
If your home has carpet flooring, your technician will apply treatments to any potential hot spot areas for fleas, such as under beds or dressers.
Insecticidal residual dust
Insecticidal residual dust will be applied to any exterior or interior cracks or crevices to eliminate any entry points for fleas.
Follow-up flea treatment & prevention
Fleas are challenging pests to eliminate, so if you encounter a problem, consider investing in preventative pest control with our year-round PestFree365+ services.
Flea control tips and prevention
Preventing fleas in your home is essential for maintaining a healthy environment for your family and pets. Follow these tips to help keep fleas at bay:
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Vacuum regularly: Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and cracks to remove fleas, eggs, and larvae. Pay extra attention to areas where your pets rest.
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Wash bedding and fabrics: Use hot water to clean pet bedding, blankets, and other fabrics, as high temperatures kill fleas and their larvae.
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Use over-the-counter treatments: Spot treatments, powders, and shampoos can help control dog fleas and rat fleas on your pets, but ensure the product is safe for your pet species.
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Apply insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): IGRs disrupt the flea life cycle, preventing eggs and larvae from maturing into biting adults. These are particularly effective in combination with other flea-exterminating methods.
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Maintain your yard: Trim the grass and remove debris where fleas and their hosts, like rodents, may hide.
Pet owners can also work with veterinarians to select appropriate flea prevention products to protect their furry friends from these blood-sucking nuisances.
DIY flea control methods vs. professional flea removal
When it comes to flea control, both DIY methods and professional extermination for fleas have their pros and cons. DIY approaches, such as vacuuming, washing fabrics, and using over-the-counter products, are cost-effective and helpful for mild infestations. These methods can reduce flea populations and may work well for pet owners who are proactive in preventing fleas from establishing a foothold. However, DIY techniques often fall short of eliminating hidden fleas and their eggs in hard-to-reach areas like upholstery and floor cracks.
At Ehrlich, we provide customized flea control solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Using the latest tools and techniques, our team ensures safe and effective pest control for fleas, keeping your home and loved ones protected.
Our experienced technicians understand the behavior of various flea species, allowing us to create targeted solutions that effectively combat these persistent pests. Your safety and comfort are always our top priority, and we’re here to help safeguard your family and furry friends from fleas.
For severe infestations or recurring issues, professional flea exterminating services are the most reliable way to eliminate fleas. These treatments not only help free your home from the nuisance of fleas but also protect you from the risks they pose, including itching, allergic reactions, and the spread of diseases through blood meals.
Why do I need flea control?
Flea infestations are more than a minor inconvenience. Without treatment, fleas can create significant problems for both pets and humans.
Are fleas dangerous?
Yes, flea diseases can pose health risks. Flea bites cause itching and discomfort, and some fleas, like the rat flea, carry diseases such as murine typhus and plague. Additionally, fleas may cause allergies and infections in pets and humans alike.
Risks posed by fleas to pets and humans
Fleas can cause flea allergy dermatitis in pets, leading to hair loss and irritation. Effective flea control for pets is crucial to prevent these issues. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms and, in some cases, bacterial infections. Additionally, flea bites on humans can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, resulting in rashes and skin infections.
The rapid reproduction cycle of fleas
Fleas have a notoriously fast reproduction rate, laying up to 50 eggs daily. Eggs fall into carpets, bedding, and upholstery, creating a constant cycle of re-infestation if left untreated.
If you suspect that your home has a flea infestation, it’s important to eliminate the problem before it worsens. Pest control for fleas can help prevent their spread and stop their hitchhiking. Ehrlich's flea pest control services are here to help – contact us today to schedule a free inspection.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a flea exterminator cost?
Pricing for Ehrlich flea control services may vary depending on the size of the infestation, species, location, and property size. Call us today to schedule a free inspection and receive a quote.
What is the life cycle of a flea?
The flea life cycle consists of four stages:
- Eggs: Tiny, white, and oval-shaped, flea eggs are usually laid on the host animal and can fall off and hide in carpets, furniture, and bedding. They typically hatch within 2-14 days.
- Larva: Flea larvae look like tiny, white worms and can grow up to 5mm in length. They can often be found in carpets, bedding, and other areas where pets rest. This stage can last between 5-14 days.
- Pupa: After the larval stage, fleas spin a cocoon and enter the pupal stage. Pupae are about 4mm long and are covered in a sticky, protective layer. Pupae can remain dormant for several months.
- Adult: Adult fleas need to feed on blood to reproduce. Adult fleas are about 2-3mm in length and have a reddish-brown color. They can live for up to a month and lay up to forty to fifty eggs per day.
Where do fleas live in the home?
Due to their small size, fleas can hide just about anywhere in your home, making it very difficult to get rid of fleas. Some common places fleas may reside in your home could include carpets, pet bedding, and upholstered furniture, as well as on your pets.
How fast can pest control get rid of fleas?
With Ehrlich’s targeted flea control methods, the speed of flea removal depends on the severity of your infestation. A single treatment may be highly effective for milder cases, while more severe infestations may require follow-up treatments to ensure all fleas, eggs, and larvae are fully eliminated. Our experts customize each approach to ensure thorough control and prevent fleas from returning.
Is professional flea treatment worth it?
Yes. Unlike most over-the-counter treatments and home remedies for fleas, professional flea treatments address the entire life cycle, ensuring fleas are removed at all stages.
Why is it so hard to get rid of fleas?
Fleas are challenging to eliminate because they reproduce rapidly and can hide deep within carpets, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach areas. Their life cycle includes eggs and larvae that can remain dormant, making it difficult for DIY methods to address the infestation fully. Unlike DIY methods, our professional treatments use targeted solutions to tackle every stage of the flea life cycle, providing thorough and lasting control.