Fleas
Common in homes with pets, fleas spread quickly through carpets and furniture and can infest even clean homes.
About Fleas in Central Maine
Fleas are tiny, wingless parasites that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. In Central Maine, the cat flea is the most common species and infests both cats and dogs. Fleas are incredible jumpers — they can leap up to 150 times their own body length to reach a host. Once inside your home, fleas lay eggs in carpets, bedding, furniture, and cracks in floors. A single female can lay 40–50 eggs per day, and the entire life cycle from egg to adult can complete in as little as two weeks under ideal conditions. Flea infestations can explode rapidly and are notoriously difficult to eliminate with over-the-counter products alone, because only 5% of a flea population consists of adults — the rest are eggs, larvae, and pupae hidden in your home.
Signs of Fleas
- Pets scratching, biting, or licking excessively
- Tiny dark specks (flea dirt) in pet fur or on bedding
- Small red, itchy bites on ankles and lower legs
- Seeing tiny dark insects jumping on carpets or furniture
- Flea larvae (tiny white worms) in carpet fibers or pet bedding
- Hair loss or hot spots on pets from excessive scratching
Prevention Tips
- Keep pets on year-round veterinarian-recommended flea prevention
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery frequently — dispose of the bag immediately
- Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly
- Mow your lawn regularly and remove leaf litter where fleas thrive outdoors
- Treat your yard in addition to your home for complete control
- Inspect and treat new pets before bringing them into your home
Did You Know?
- 1.A flea can jump up to 8 inches high — equivalent to a human jumping over a 30-story building
- 2.Flea pupae can remain dormant in carpets for up to a year waiting for vibrations that signal a host
- 3.Fleas consume 15 times their body weight in blood daily
Need Help With Fleas?
Our general pest control service targets fleas at the source. Contact us for a free inspection and quote.
