Anytime dealing with insects that bite or sting, our first goal should be to identify the problem to ensure that whatever treatment is used will be effective. In Florida alone we have multiple species which can cause significant issues to humans and pets such as fire ants, fleas, ticks, wasps, and more.

It is not possible to determine from looking at bites as to what insect caused the bite so having a picture or a sample of the insect goes a long way in helping a pest control technician treat effectively. We recommend taking the insect and placing it inside a plastic bag, do not stick it to a piece of tape or smush it with your fingers if possible. Also, for proper identification the picture needs to be clear and close to the insect. Aerial shots from 300 ft unfortunately do not help a pest control technician in properly identifying the insect.

In the event that your pet is indeed being bitten by fleas there are certain steps recommended to help eliminate the problem.

1. Hire a pest control company (we recommend us) to identify the issue and set up a treatment plan.
2. Set up an appointment with your pet’s veterinarian so they can get your pet on a flea and tick medication. Most veterinarians will also recommend a flea treatment at this time.
3. While your pet is at the veterinarians, set up the flea treatment from your pest control company (again, hopefully us) at your home. We inform customers that they are unable to re-enter their home for four hours after a flea treatment has begun.
4. Run animal beds, blankets, linens, and other possible fabric materials where pets have been laying in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This will help kill any eggs which may be left behind.
5. Most flea treatments may require a follow up in around two weeks to ensure that the fleas have been eliminated. Flea eggs can lay dormant for months before hatching, this is why having an experienced pest control technician is necessary to eliminate the problem.

Is it possible for my home to have fleas and I don’t have pets? Yes, believe it or not we have encountered multiple homes which have had this very problem. Usually, these homes have a crawl space beneath the home and some animal such as a raccoon or possum has decided to make that crawl space their home and bring along their flea friends. We highly recommend having one of expert’s inspect your home and offer you are exclusion service which shuts down unwanted animal entrance points.

In the event that you do not know where your pet became infested with fleas you may want to consider having your lawn regularly treated by a pest control company (we are a good one) to prevent a reinfestation. Raccoons, possums, and stray cats regularly carry fleas into unsuspecting homeowners’ yards to be passed on to our pets.

The good news is that fleas cannot survive off of human bloodmeal alone so with a proper pest control service combined with a flea and tick medication plan from your veterinarian, your pet will be flea free in no time.