The greatest innovations for flea control were vacuum cleaners and effective insecticides. The latest Baltimore flea infestation may mean that fleas have become more resistant to insecticides because our vacuums suck better than ever. Fleas are unpleasant creatures because they like to drink your blood and your pet’s blood as well. Fleas carried Bubonic Plague that wiped out half of Europe a couple centuries ago, so who knows what new disease they may start to carry. We know they can carry murine typhus that affects humans and cause anemia in pets. What is most common is that a fleabite creates a reaction in most people that causes itchy red bumps.
Find the infestation
Since fleas are incredibly tiny, we recommend you call your Baltimore Affordable Pest Control to first make an inspection of your home to determine sites of infestation and to identify possible new sites as well. They will make recommendations for changes in your home to create a flea unfriendly home.
Multi-faceted approach
The best way to get rid of fleas is through a multi-faceted approach. The first step would be to vacuum every inch of your house from top to bottom, including draperies and previously identified infestation areas. Ohio State University recently concluded after an intense study, that vacuums are 100% lethal to young fleas and 96% lethal to older fleas. When you are finished, you will have a bag full of dead fleas. It even kills the eggs. Just empty your vacuum as usual.
Next, if you have pets, take them to the vet and have them examined for fleas. Your veterinarian will then make recommendations for further containment. Fleas need a host, since they live off blood. Dogs, cats, and even hamsters are a suitable host.
The last step, which needs to take place right after you vacuum is to have Affordable Pest Control come to your home and apply the proper treatments that will eliminate and remaining fleas and prevent new infestations.
Fleas are irritating but they can also affect your health and your pet’s. Baltimore’s flea infestation doesn’t have to affect you. We see to that.