Effective & Reliable Flea Control
Spring and summer mean warmer days, longer nights, and more time to enjoy your backyard. Whether you're spending time with family or unwinding on the patio, the last thing you want is pesky, harmful insects disrupting the moment—or bothering your pets. Unfortunately, fleas are always on the hunt for their next meal, leaving both you and your furry friends irritated.
Take back your yard—no fleas, no worries.
Call to schedule Flea or Tick Service: 262-679-4422
Common Flea in Wisconsin-The Cat Flea
Flea Facts and Prevention
Did you know that there are thousands of species of fleas worldwide? That fact alone probably has your skin crawling. In Wisconsin we (and our furry friends) tend to only have run-ins with a few types of fleas. The cat flea is the most common domestic flea that we meet.
Fleas are small, wingless parasites that feed on blood. They appear flat, dark, and reddish-brown in color and the adults are about 1/12-1/6 of an inch long. Fleas have 3 pairs of legs. They do not have the ability to fly, but they can jump! Fleas can jump as high as 8” vertically, which is 150 times their own height.
Once a flea hatches and becomes an adult, it will jump onto a host. Fleas are attracted to and can live on any warm-blooded animal (yes, including humans), but seem to prefer hairy animals such as dogs, cats, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, rodents and other wildlife. Once attached to its host, the flea will feed. The female flea can consume 15 times her own body weight in blood daily. Fleas will mate and lay eggs upon their chosen host. A female flea can lay 2,000 eggs in her lifetime! Some of these eggs will drop off of the host and land in places such as our yards, bedding and carpeting.
The Treatment
In order to properly treat fleas, a thorough inspection is required to determine where the immature stages of the flea population are residing. From there a treatment plan will be determined and the applied as necessary to target the type and severity of the infestation.
The Threats
Besides the itchy, painful red bumps that flea bites leave behind, flea bites and infestations can cause allergic reactions in humans and pets and can also transfer tapeworms and cause anemia in pets. When fleas populate a mouse colony, disease can become a very deep concern, the worst disease on record being the bubonic plague. They also transmit the bacterial disease murine typhus to humans through infected rats.
Prevention Tips
Check your home’s exterior for entry points and seal any gaps to keep out rodents and other wildlife that may be carrying fleas. Keep your yard clean and maintained. Vacuum regularly—washing any bedding that may carry fleas or their eggs.
Protect your pets by checking their coats for fleas, especially if you see any excessive scratching or licking, bathing your pet (and their bedding, collars and plush toys) regularly, and see your vet for annual check-ups and for advice on flea products and prevention.
Why Use Safeway Pest Management For Fleas?
Safeway Pest Management has been offering professional residential pest control and management services for clients since 1956. We actively participate in the National Pest Management Association and the Wisconsin Pest Control Association. We’re proud to say we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and also belong to the Waukesha Alliance and Muskego and Mukwonago Chamber of Commerce.
Our team is up for any job big or small. With many years of experience under our belt, you can count on us to provide consistent and high quality service at reasonable rates. Not only do we take care of your pest problems but help advise and provide recommendations on preventative measures to give you peace of mind. Give us a call today at 262-679-4422 with any questions or to schedule service.
