Fleas

The joys of owning and caring for a pet are unbridled and many. Unfortunately, as a pet owner in Davenport, Iowa, this is a responsibility that comes with a lot of risks. One of those risks being the little yet intrusive flea. If you’ve ever owned a pet, you probably had the thought of fleas in the back of your mind. You are right to be concerned because as small as these little mare, they can cause quite the problems for your pets. Not only can they be problematic for pets, but they can be threatening to the human as well. Therefore, it is imperative to educate yourself to the fullest when it comes to this little blood-sucking parasite. Here’s what we want you to know.

What Exactly Is The Flea

You may think you know what the flea is. You might even have a good understanding of what they look like. However, when it comes right down to it, you are completely uneducated on the flea. Fleas are small insects that survive by feeding on animal or human blood, although they will always prefer the animal over the human. The reason for this is because of the fur. Humans simply don’t possess the fur that animals do. It offers them the protection they need while they feed.

The flea, as small as it is, can be quite a nuisance. Not only is the bite itchy and unpleasant, but the parasite can reproduce quickly once in the home. It’s simply a recipe for disaster and not one you want to be privy to. With all this in mind, you don’t have to be a pet owner to be vulnerable to the flea. Your yard could potentially play host to fleas, regardless of if you have pets or not. What makes the situation all that much worse is there is always the potential for germs and diseases. Fleas carry and transmit a whole host of viruses, plagues, and diseases.

As far as their appearance goes, they are small, wingless jumping insects. Their entire body is specifically designed to maximize their feeding abilities. The head is surrounded by sharp spikes and mouths that allow them to pierce through the host’s skin while sucking out the blood. Although these parasites are extremely small, they can cause immense problems for your pets.

Learning The Signs Of An Infestation

Given their tiny size, it can be extremely difficult to determine a flea infestation. Although the bites will be prevalent and irritating, a bite doesn’t always represent that of a flea. You could be dealing with bed bugs or even mites. One good sign is to keep a close eye on your pet. If you see your furry friend going to town on its coat, there is a good chance you are dealing with an infestation.

When you see this happen, you can take a fine-toothed comb and scour your pet’s fur. You’ll want to look for small brown shapes moving about. Pay especially close attention to the ears, face, and tail of your cat or dog. In addition to this, you’ll want to keep an eye out for flea dirt. This is the fecal matter of fleas that they often deposit upon the host. These spots look like tiny black specks and when moistened on a tissue, or towel, they’ll turn red because of the ingested blood.

If these problems are not rectified immediately, they will lead to more threatening, dangerous problems and diseases. As a result, you want to bring in professional assistance at first sight. This is something we are here to help with. All you must do is give our Davenport office a call and we’ll get someone out to the property.

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