The Australian sun is a favourite for Aussies and tourists alike, but, unfortunately, studies show that fleas love sunny days just as much. In fact, during extended periods of 30 °C or above, fleas mature and breed exponentially faster, which increases the risk of infecting your furry friend and, consequently, infesting your home.
Fleas can be one of the scariest prospects of owning a pet - they're hard to detect, breed fast, and, worst of all, cause unbearable itching to animals and humans alike. Queensland's warm and heat-wave prone summer climate advances the nastiest of these pests, with larvae taking only three weeks to mature instead of the usual two months during cooler seasons. So, with numbers and infections increasing, how can you tell if your pet has tracked these critters into your home?
1. Wear long white socks
Fleas are tiny, dark brown dots that can be hard to detect on most surfaces, so one solution to catching these pests in the act is to wear a colour that shows them clearly. When juvenile fleas see cotton socks moving, they assume it's a host and jump onto them. From this, you can quickly and clearly identify if you have fleas in your home.
2. Use a flea comb
Another way to identify if your home has fleas is to look at the source, that is, your pet's coat. You can utilise this comb by either brushing your animal to see if any fleas or larvae get stuck on the comb or by spreading your pet's fur apart to look at their skin for crawling or feeding insects.
3. Look at the health of your pet
One of the biggest clues of a flea infestation is the pain it causes our pets; this can include your pet seeming more irritable, consistently scratching, or biting themselves, needing baths more frequently (fleas leave behind debris that makes your pet’s coat look dirty quickly) and being covered in red welts or sores.
If you believe your cat or dog has tracked fleas into your home or are worried about the prospect of fleas entering your home, Combat Pest Solutions offer a wide variety of services and treatments to protect you, your family, and your furry friends.
If you are a Brisbane homeowner and have any questions about a potential flea infestation, don’t hesitate to contact our team by phoning 0419 734 501 or emailing scott@combatpestsolutions.com.au.
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