An infestation of fleas can be one’s worst nightmare, fleas can multiply exponentially and become quite the problem very fast. If you happen to come across a flea in your house, there are a certain number of things you can do, to prevent an infestation.
If you happen to visit a friend that lives in a flea-infested environment, there is a strong chance that a few of them might come along with your home. Unfortunately, if you don’t realize it on time, you will infest your home too.
In this article, you will get answers from possible scenarios and what to do about a flea infestation in your home, so scroll along.
Can you get fleas from a friend’s house?
Although it is very rare for a flea to jump from one person to another, it is very likely that a person will get fleas from places where animals like dogs and cats live and sleep. If your friend has cats or dogs (or both) without any flea control treatment, there is a strong chance you will get fleas from them.
How do you know if someone has fleas?
It is very hard to know if someone has fleas at first glance, but you can pay attention to several signs, that may reveal flea infestation in their house.
- Intensive Scratching: If dogs or cats in that house are always scratching that might be a sign of excessive fleas.
- Pet Hair Loss: The sudden loss of hair in pets can be due to a reaction to fleas infestation. If you see patches of hair missing in a dog or a cat, that could probably be it.
- Red Skin and Welts: Flea bites will end up causing painful-looking welts and red, irritated patches of skin. If you notice tiny little bumps in them, it is a strong indicator of such.
- Bites in Your Ankle: If you suddenly start feeling itchiness and small bites on your ankles, it is very likely to be fleas.
- Check Your Socks: One of the best ways to confirm fleas in someone’s house, is by checking your socks (if they are white, even better). If you see small black dots on your socks, you got fleas!
- Pets with Pale Gums: If you are suspicious that a pet has fleas, check their gums. If they have pale gums, they probably have anemia due to a fleas problem.
- Flea Dirt Hair: Flea dirt is nothing more than flea droppings. It is of reddish color due to the digested blood. If you see it in pets, it means they have fleas.
- Agitated pets: If your friend’s pets are always running around, biting themselves in the fur and with intensive scratching, those are signs of discomfort caused by fleas.
Should you go to your friend’s house if it has fleas?
Fleas are constantly looking for a host to hop on and hitch a ride on to their next meal. If you go to an infested house, the chances that you will bring fleas with you are very high. You could potentially apply some fleas pesticide spray to your trousers and socks, but the risk of fleas coming with you is always present.
It is better to avoid your friend’s house while it’s infested, opt for going out somewhere else, or at least bring up the subject, so they can do something about the flea infestation.
Pro tip: This simple trick will make the de-fleeing of cats a walk in the park. 😵😵😵
Can you get fleas from neighbors?
Fleas are able to jump from one house to another if there is an available host to carry them over. If your next-door neighbor has a cat or a dog infested with fleas, that walks around in your yard or in your house, you will get fleas from them for sure.
Another scenario is, if your neighbor’s backyard or front yard is infested with fleas, and you happen to pass by it, they will hop on to you. And worse, you can bring flea eggs attached to your shoe soles and release them inside your house.
Can I carry fleas on my clothes?
Yes, fleas are well known to hold on to fabrics because it’s easier to stay there, than on bare skin. Fleas aren’t able to hop their way up, through sneakers or a sturdy pair of jeans. But they do can snuggle into stitching and seams.
Once they are there, they work their way in until they reach the areas where the skin is exposed. One of these examples is sockless ankles, from there they start climbing their way up through the leg’s hair.
Can you have fleas in your house and not see them?
You can have an unnoticed infested area in your house with fleas, without even knowing it. This can happen for a while until a large infestation occurs and then you become aware of them.
Fleas are really small and can easily hide in many places from your sight. Since they are dark, they can easily camouflage themselves on darkened floors.
How can you tell if your house has fleas?
Signs of a house flea infestation include:
- Signs of fleas hopping on floors, furniture, drapery, and carpets.
- Signs of little dots walking around in your pet’s fur.
- Signs of pet agitation by scratching, biting, and licking their fur intensively.
How did fleas get in my house?
These pests can enter in your house by riding a host (human or animal), or by getting their eggs attached to your shoe soles. Eggs can drop onto carpets and such and they will hatch after a few days. Then the flea infestation will begin.
Did you know: Fleas are not really attracted to your blood, but something else entirely that you won’t imagine. 😮🤯🤯🤯
Will fleas go away if I don’t have pets?
It is very unlikely that fleas will go away even if you don’t have pets. Adult fleas that live in carpets or other clothing without access to blood, will die in just a few days. However, flea pupae will nest until they’ve become full adults.
They are capable of waiting for a long period of time until a host is available. They can do this by detecting carbon dioxide emissions as well as movements and body warmth. This is how they know that a host is nearby.
A flea that can access hosts for blood meals can live up to 100 days.
Can you get fleas from a dirty house?
There is an increased risk of getting fleas if a house is really dirty. Fleas have a preference to live in blankets and carpets, they usually thrive in dirty and messy environments. This is also true for the outdoors, that’s why it’s extremely important to keep the law in your yard mowed and tidy.
What to do if you see a flea in your house?
A single flea in your house doesn’t mean it is alone, fleas can multiply like crazy even if you don’t see them, for flea prevention, it is better to:
- Clean your floors with a powerful vacuum: This includes mattresses and upholstery, don’t forget to vacuum well in every corner and under furniture. If the vacuum uses a bag, don’t forget to seal it and toss it out afterward.
- Use a steam cleaner: For upholstery, carpets, and pet beds use a steam cleaner and some soap. This will kill fleas in all stages of life.
- Don’t forget to wash all bedding: Wash all your bedding with hot water and detergent. If the bedding is old, consider replacing it with new. If possible dry it in the highest heat setting after wash.
How do I get rid of fleas in my house fast?
The fastest way to get your house rid of fleas very fast is by cleaning it thoroughly and using flea pesticides. Don’t forget to use flea control treatments on your existing pets. Also, don’t forget to clean the outside as well.
Can fleas live on carpets?
Carpets are the perfect hideout for fleas, they can live in them for an undetermined number of days unless some serious intervention takes place.
Can fleas live on couches?
Although couches are not the best environment for fleas, they will be able to live in them. They just don’t survive that long, but it is very possible.
Can fleas live on blankets?
Fleas prefer to live in other places such as pet’s fur, but they are able to snug on to sheets and blankets, especially if they have a nice host to feed on, even if it’s just for one night.
Will vacuuming get rid of fleas?
Vacuuming can be the first line of defense against fleas, it will get rid of a good number of them, especially adult fleas. But some eggs may reside on clothing, upholstery, and other furniture. This is why it is important to take extra steps, such as clothing cleaning, steaming, yard tidying, and pet flea prevention treatments.
Vacuum can be very effective, but you do need to take care of the other loose ends, otherwise, fleas might prosper again and return to infest.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of ways to carry fleas onto your house, if you come across an infested house or animal. If you get them from a friend’s house, you can always bring the subject to the table and warn them about it, if you bring them from the outside, start doing some extermination and plan for future prevention so it won’t happen again.
