Fleas in Cleveland
Fleas live outside of their host and are tiny, wingless blood-sucking parasites. To survive and reproduce, adults need the blood from a warm-blooded host. They are often an ectoparasite found on dogs and cats, so fleas frequently become a household pest when pets bring them indoors. Fleas are frustrating to pets and people, especially when their numbers dramatically increase in the spring and summer.
Flea Habitat
Fleas prefer humid, moist, and shady areas but can thrive in a variety of climates. Areas with leaf litter, weeds, tall grass, gravelly areas, wood piles, and sand patches are all spaces that fleas gravitate toward. The space under a deck or porch frequently becomes an overwintering site. Even the smallest crevices in concrete can host fleas and they especially like trees, leaves, and shrubs and do not do well in open grass or sunny areas. They will usually infiltrate a home after being attached to a pet. They will quickly get comfortable in a house and eggs, larvae and fleas will usually nest in bedding, pet beds, carpets, and upholstered furniture.
Flea Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Fleas may bite and infect humans, but they mainly focus on non-human animals. Bites typically appear as clusters of small red dots around legs, ankles, and feet. While they may cause an allergic reaction, their bites will not usually have a serious impact on a human’s health. For those with flea allergies, dermatitis may occur, which is characterized by reddening of the skin, intense itching, hair loss, and secondary infection. A single flea bite can result in this reaction with persisting symptoms for up to five days
If you are dealing with a flea infestation, contact your local flea exterminators for help.
