Pet
Owners Warned Of Increased Flea Problems
If you are among the millions of Americans who own a dog or a cat, beware that fleas are expected to be more bothersome than ever this summer.
Dr. George Rambo, director of research for the National Pest Control Association, says that weather conditions over much of the country have combined to produce fertile breeding grounds for fleas, and it’s particularly true in this area.
While severely infected pets may need treatment by a veterinarian, getting rid of the pesky critters from your home may require the help of an urban environmental pest control professional. If the pets frequent areas with carpeting eradicating a flea infestation will be particularly difficult.
While fleas can render an animal anemic through their thirst for blood, they are equally intolerable to the pet’s owner. Human reaction to flea bites range from small red welts to severe rashes and itching.
Fleas also have the potential for being more than just a bothersome pest. They are known to transmit diseases (including Bubonic Plague from infected rats) to pets and to humans. Rambo advises pet owners to check their animals frequently, vacuum carpets often and seal vacuum bags when disposing of them immediately after use, and take corrective action at the first sign of a problem.
While you are checking your pets for fleas, be on the look out for ticks too. Like fleas, ticks are carried inside your homes and establish themselves there. And, even more than fleas, they have the potential for transmitting a number of diseases, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease.