Flea Removal

Fleas are one of the most frustrating pests for Canadian homeowners to contend with. Flea removal is an extremely difficult undertaking without help from a professional.

Fleas are parasitic insects that survive off the blood of animals and sometimes humans. The bites from both male and female fleas leave itchy, red spots on the hosts’ body. Although they do not have wings, fleas are capable of jumping long distances. Fleas have been known to infect human hosts but are much happier feeding on long-haired mammals such as cats, dogs, rats, mice, rabbits, squirrels and other animals.

Fleas ordinarily gain access to homes by way of pets or other animal hosts. Do not be so quick to blame the family dog for your infestation as fleas have been known to attach themselves to rats and mice as well. Once these rodents have gained access to your home, breeding can begin. Female fleas lay eggs on the host but they are not attached, instead they fall off in various parts of the home, spreading their populations. These eggs are ordinarily found in soft-surface spaces like carpets, upholstery, furniture but can survive in hard surfaces as well, such as cracks in floor or opened spaces around walls on borders.

Flea removal goes far beyond simple shampooing and flea-collars for your pet. Adult fleas are visible because they are darker in colour and larger than their infant stages, however these adult fleas count for a very small part of the overall population. Eggs scattered throughout your home account for approximately 50% of the flea population while larvae account for another 35% and cocooned larvae make up and addition 10%. When all of these ordinarily undetectable fleas are accounted for, only 5% are visible to the naked eye. Treatment for fleas can be quite complex, as different strategies must be used when applying residuals to different surface types in consideration of these different stages of a fleas lifecycle.

There are some preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the surface population of fleas, such as shampooing and vacuuming regularly, however complete flea removal requires some help. Our Toodaloo Technicians will help you to remove the infestation promptly.  If you have a current flea infestation give Toodaloo Pest and Wildlife Control a call at 1-844-TOODALOO.