Bedbugs and fleas are both highly nocturnal insects that survive on blood from hosts. They both only like blood from mammals, but bedbugs prefer humans. Bedbugs are not known to spread any diseases to humans, but fleas can spread several diseases, such as the plague, typhus, and cat scratch disease.

 

How Fleas and Bed Bugs Get Inside Your Home

Most flea infestations occur when a pet brings fleas from your yard, a boarding center, or a playdate into your home. Fleas can also attach to a squirrel, mouse, rat, or other tiny pest and then drop their flea eggs once these animals enter your home. The impressive vertical leap of fleas (up to 13 inches) means they can also jump onto your pants or your shoes outside and then be carried inside. Bed bugs can travel between rooms in multi-unit buildings (apartment complexes, hotels) and hitch rides on soft or upholstered surfaces (luggage, purses, backpacks, furniture).

 

Flea and Bed Bug Prevention

Be sure to have your pets fully treated for existing fleas and set them on a flea prevention routine. Perform a detailed inspection and use a caulking gun to fill in any holes you may find in your home’s exterior walls. Determine if you have a rodent infestation (look for rodent droppings or nesting materials in your attic and crawl spaces.) If you don’t have a rodent infestation, the fleas may be riding into your home from your yard on humans. When staying at a hotel, place your luggage on a suitcase stand—not the bed or floor—to reduce the likelihood of bringing bed bugs home with you. Keep the luggage rack away from furniture or walls and immediately wash all of your clothes and put them in a hot dryer when you return home.

 

Are You Facing a Flea or Bed Bug Problem? Call Wild Trappers ASAP!

If you suspect a flea or bed bug infestation in your home, Wild Trappers can eliminate your pest problem, taking your family, pets, and home into careful consideration. Our highly trained and certified technicians will perform an inspection of your home to determine the extent of your flea problem. We will look in your attic and crawl spaces to see if you can find any rodent droppings or nesting and, if found, remove these infesting animals. If you do, contact a pest control company and have those animals removed. We will then work with you to devise a customized, non-invasive, pet-friendly Integrated Pest Management treatment plan to eliminate fleas and bed bugs from your home. If you suspect you have a flea or bed bug problem—don’t delay! Call 770-828-9622, email, or contact us through our online form today!