If you have ever struggled with fleas in your home before, you have most likely dealt with the Cat Flea, or Ctenocephalides felis. As you probably suspect from its name, Cat Fleas prefer the host of a domestic cat, but they can be found on many other species as well, including foxes, opossums, dogs, and rats.
Because this type of flea can host on such a wide range of creatures, it is one of the most common fleas worldwide. Not to mention, their small size makes it easy for them to sneak through cracks and crevices throughout your home.
If you are struggling with a Cat Flea infestation, it's best to contact the professionals of our team. Cat Fleas can transmit illnesses and other parasites, which means you certainly don't want these pests inside your home. Give us a call today to learn about our Cat Flea extermination services.
The Cat Flea is the most common flea that can invade your home.
When most people think of a flea, the Cat Flea is what comes to mind. This flea is only about 1/8 of an inch long and is completely flat. Before it feeds, the Cat Flea will be brownish black or black in color. After feeding, it will have a reddish black tint instead from the host’s blood.
Cat Fleas do not have any wings, but they have chewing mouthparts that allows them to feed. These pests prefer to feed on organic debris and adult dried fecal blood.
Reproduction
Cat Fleas are prolific breeders. After every meal, the female flea will lay between four and eight eggs on the host animals’ hair or in the wound area. As such, a single female Cat Flea can lay a total of 400 to 500 eggs during her life.
The eggs look like tiny white ovals that are about 0.5 millimeters long. The eggs can take anywhere from 1 to 12 days to hatch. Even though females lay the eggs within the animal host’s hair, some eggs fall off around your home whenever the animal shakes or sleeps.
Lifecycle
After hatching, larvae will go through three instar stages. These stages can last between one to two weeks or several months to be completed. During the larval stage, the larvae need humidity around 45% to 95%.
After the larval stage, the larvae will create a cocoon that is camouflaged on the debris. The cocoon can stay on a surface for up to a year, but the pupae only stay in the cocoon for about 20 weeks. This cocoon protects the pupate from pesticides and other dangers.
Once the pupae come out of the cocoon, they are now adult fleas. The adult flea will look for a blood meal as soon as possible, but it will be able to survive for months. After finding a host, the fleas feed and began to lay eggs. Cat Fleas can live to be 1 year old, but most only live to be a few days old as the animal grooms itself.
Cat Fleas can enter into homes through many avenues. If you have pets within the household, Cat Fleas were likely introduced through the animal, especially if they have access to outside.
Even if you do not have animals, Cat Fleas can still invade your homes. These pests can jump about 6 inches. As such, they can easily jump onto your body, close, or shoes while you are traveling and hitchhike into your home. They can also crawl into your home through windows, doors, and other crevices.
If you have recently moved into a home that was vacant for some time, Cat Fleas can still be a problem. If there were any larvae or cocoons present, the population could have continued to have grown during this vacant time since the species can live on stored fat for several months.
Cat Fleas are dangerous. They are known to transmit plague and typhus. They can also transmit dog tapeworm to pets within the household. Occasionally, tapeworms can impact humans. Not to mention, Cat Fleas are a downright nuisance because they bite.
Getting rid of Fleas can be seriously difficult. Because they are so small, they can invade almost every part of your home. Plus, it can be difficult to find out how the Fleas are getting in, further making it difficult to exterminate the species in the long run. Treat any infested pet per your veterinarian's recommendations.
Since getting rid of Cat Fleas is so difficult, you should not try DIY methods for exterminating the pests. DIY methods are often ineffective and can pose risks to children and pets.
Only Trust the Professionals
Instead, only trust the professionals for exterminating Fleas. Our team of professionals knows exactly where to look in order to identify the cause of the Fleas. From there, we will work with your unique situation to create a customized extermination plan that works the first time.
All of the products we use are the safest for the home. We only select EPA-registered products that are registered for pet control use. Our highly trained professionals also know how to apply these products properly so they do not cause harm to you, your family members, or your pets.
If you have a Flea problem, call us today. It's our goal to be onsite as soon as the same day or the next to ensure you get the situation handled as soon as possible.
Tips for Preventing Fleas
Make sure pets' flea and tick protection is maintained.
Regularly brush pets to identify fleas issues before they become a major infestation.
Wash pet bedding frequently.
Regular pest protection can help protect your home.
Repair any holes or gaps around the exterior and interior of your home.
Mow the lawn and trim trees around the house.
Keep foundation, mortar, and weather-protective measures up to date and repaired.
How My Pest Pros Helps Eliminate Fleas
We know what it takes when it comes to flea control, prevention, and protection in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland from more than a decade of experience.
Many products can help reduce flea problems, but not the source of the problem. Our trained professionals have the experience and expertise to allow them to form an effective treatment plan. Our professional team not only eradicates current problems but also provides preventative care. With our protection plan, these annoying and tiny household invaders will be eradicated both now and in the future with regular treatment visits. These visits are effective at treating and preventing ant infestations.
For ultimate protection, our professionals will work with you to find a customized solution for your flea problem, today and tomorrow.
Our family had a positive experience with My Pest Pros (MPP) in removing a large hornet's nest (soccer-ball size) from a tree just above the driveway of our townhome. After looking at different reviews and comparing vendors, I decided to try MPP as a first-time customer. Lots of pluses. First, Kayla (receptionist) was friendly and professional during the intake call on Friday to assess the problem, ask for the location of the hornet's nest, and provide an estimated time window on the next business day (Monday). We requested a one-time service payment option by check. Second, the staff person (Hunter)...read moreOur family had a positive experience with My Pest Pros (MPP) in removing a large hornet's nest (soccer-ball size) from a tree just above the driveway of our townhome. After looking at different reviews and comparing vendors, I decided to try MPP as a first-time customer. Lots of pluses. First, Kayla (receptionist) was friendly and professional during the intake call on Friday to assess the problem, ask for the location of the hornet's nest, and provide an estimated time window on the next business day (Monday). We requested a one-time service payment option by check. Second, the staff person (Hunter) arrived on time (8:30am) and called me 15 minutes in advance. He completed the job in about 40 minutes by spraying chemicals to reduce the number of live hornets, sawed off the entire branch of the crape myrtle tree, and then cleared the entire branch with the soccer-ball size hornet's nest attached. Third, he explained we were lucky the hornets were not bald-faced hornets (which continue to attack you even after the nest is removed). Although it was $275 to complete the work, it was worth it to remove the hornet's nest and gain peace of mind. We would use their services again!read less
Gilbert G.
- Yelp
Our family had a positive experience with My Pest Pros (MPP) in removing a large hornet's nest (soccer-ball size) from a tree just above the driveway of our townhome. After looking at Yelp reviews and comparing vendors, I decided to try MPP as a first-time customer. Lots of pluses.
First, Kayla (receptionist) was friendly and professional during the intake call on Friday to assess the problem, ask for the location of the hornet's nest, and provide an estimated time window on the next business day (Monday). We requested a one-time service payment option by check. ...read moreOur family had a positive experience with My Pest Pros (MPP) in removing a large hornet's nest (soccer-ball size) from a tree just above the driveway of our townhome. After looking at Yelp reviews and comparing vendors, I decided to try MPP as a first-time customer. Lots of pluses.
First, Kayla (receptionist) was friendly and professional during the intake call on Friday to assess the problem, ask for the location of the hornet's nest, and provide an estimated time window on the next business day (Monday). We requested a one-time service payment option by check.
Second, the staff person (Hunter) arrived on time (8:30am) and called me 15 minutes in advance. He completed the job in about 40 minutes by spraying chemicals to reduce the number of live hornets, sawed off the entire branch of the crape myrtle tree, and then cleared the entire branch with the soccer-ball size hornet's nest attached.
Third, he explained we were lucky the hornets were not bald-faced hornets (which continue to attack you even after the nest is removed). Although it was $275 to complete the work, it was worth it to remove the hornet's nest and gain peace of mind. We would use their services again!read less
Patty DeCarli
- Google
We had a recent yellow jacket problem and kept finding them all over our basement. Pest pros came out quickly and took care of the problem without any issues, and their prices were better than 2 other companies I called. Will use Pest Pros again if we have any issues in the future with any types of pests. Thanks George and Pest Pros!!!
Stormshard XL
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Great company. Always comes out quickly if I have an issue. Effective and reliable.
Rebecca Gotwalt
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The technicians are wonderful, thorough, professional and quick. Always ask about trouble spots and treat them appropriately. Also, very importantly - they are considerate of and kind to my cats.
Pmb Braud
- Google
I appreciate the quick response to my pest issues outside of the home and the professionalism of the technician who came to my home Antyone, thank you for taking care of business. I can’t forget Miss Kayla, she was also very helpful and friendly when I called. I appreciate your professionalism and your assistance.
James Sagen
- Google
They answered the call. From initial phonecall to first visit, My Pest Pros had amazing follow through. The communication, the ease of access, the honesty, and genuine act of caring about our home was first and foremost. Deja was a great technician. Deja explained why we might have a potential problem and they actively treated the main concern. They also had a presence of caring and connection. I'm glad I jumped ship and joined My Pest Pros. You will l too! Give them a call. They are better than the competition.
If you have a pest-control question, we answer and respond around the clock. We don’t rush treatments; we get them right! We treat our customers like family; because to us, you are. So whenever you have a pest problem, you can rely on the team at My Pest Pros to take care of it.
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