Inspecting For Fleas

Flea Inspection

[ Flea Identification | Inspecting For Fleas | Treating For Fleas | Preventing Fleas ]

Do You Have Fleas?
Dogs With Fleas
Fleas are small, invasive pests that live off the blood of their hosts. They often infest animals, biting into them for blood which in turn, irritates the animal. Domestic pets can pick up fleas from the outside, or other animals, and bring them into the home.

If you think that your pet may have fleas, inspect the three main areas: your home, your yard, and the pet. Finding out where fleas live and locating the possible areas of infestation, you can be sure that your treatment applications are concentrated in the right places.
Check Your Pet For Fleas
Cat Scratching Fleas
Your pets may have fleas if they are frequently scratching, are more restless than they usually are, shake their head a lot, or lose hair in various places.

To inspect your pet for fleas, you will need the following:
  • Flea Comb
  • Soapy water
Combing through your pet's fur rather slowly. After each brush stroke, check the comb for live fleas and a any flea dirt. Put any live fleas into soapy water. If you are not certain if the dirt found on the comb is actually from fleas, place the dirt into the soapy water anyway. If it turns red, it is definitely flea dirt.

Adult fleas and feces can be found on infested animals. Always double check the pet on their neck, groin area, leg folds, and the base of the pets tail.
Check Your Home For Fleas
Check Home For Fleas
If you find fleas on your pets, you should naturally also inspect your home for fleas. Finding an infestation early will decrease the size of the infestation and the cost of treating it.

To inspect your home for fleas, you will need:
  • A Flashlight
  • Tall white socks
  • Soapy water
Check the following areas for fleas:

Pet bedding and dog crates. Check pet bedding as well as inside their crate and/or beds closely for live fleas and possible flea dirt, which will look kind of like coffee grounds. If you are not sure if the dirt found is flea dirt, place it in soapy water. If the water turns red, it would indicate that it is flea dirt.

Upholstered furniture and other places where you pet may have been for evididence of fleas.

Carpets - Wearing a pair of white socks, if you slowly shuffle your feet over the carpet or rug. After several seconds, stop and use your flashlight to look for live fleas on the socks and on the carpet as well. Put any live fleas in the soapy water.
Check Your Yard For Fleas
Check Yard For Fleas
If your pets have fleas, it is probably safe to say they picked them up from your yard. Looking for and finding the flea infestation is the first step in controlling fleas outdoors. You'll need to treat outdoor areas to prevent your pet from becoming infested with fleas again.

To inspect your yard for a flea infestation, you will need:
  • A flashlight
  • High white socks
  • Pair of old shoes
Slowly shuffle your feet through wet, shady areas around your yard. Use your flashlight on your socks to inspect for live fleas every couple of seconds.

Always inspect the following areas:
  • Places your pet or pets spends time playing or resting outdoors
  • Around as well as under trees and bushes
  • Decks or porches, under and around
  • Places where there is leaf debris

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