Fleas

What do fleas look like?

Fleas are parasitic pests that feed on the blood of mammals. Adult fleas are shiny and are a dark brownish-red color. They have a hard body that is flat from side to side and are wingless; to get out of harm’s way they use their long, powerful back legs to jump away from threats. Fleas are small and grow to between 1/12th and 1/6th of an inch in length. They have spines on their mouth, legs, and back to prevent them from falling off of their host.

Where are fleas found?

Adult fleas are usually found living in the fur of the host (cat, dog, wild animal) that they are feeding on. Newly hatched fleas are found outside hiding in vegetation or inside of homes in carpets or upholstered furniture. They use these hiding spots to wait for a host to happen by so that they can jump onto them and begin feeding on them.

Are fleas dangerous?

Yes, fleas are dangerous. They are an invasive pest, which because of their habit of feeding on a wide variety of hosts, have the unfortunate ability to transmit a variety of diseases and parasites to both people and animals. Fleas are known for transmitting murine typhus, plague (only a few cases per year in the U.S), and they are intermediate hosts for tapeworms.

Why are fleas on my property?

Fleas are most often introduced onto properties by wild animals, where they then jump onto your cat or dog who bring them inside. Fleas can also get into your home by jumping onto you or family member’s shoes or clothing while spending time outside where fleas are present. They can also get into your home inside of used furniture or rugs that are infested with flea eggs or adults.

How do I get rid of fleas?

Montgomery Exterminating provides effective flea control for properties in and around Tulsa and the Grand Lake area. Our treatments focus on areas where fleas hide, including lawns, shrubs, and tall grasses. Learn more about our flea control services and visit our home pest control page to find out how you can bundle flea control with an ongoing Tulsa, OK pest control program and save!

Helpful Flea Articles

Problems Fleas Bring To Tulsa Are Residents

Fleas In Tulsa Are More Dangerous Than You May Think

Montgomery Exterminating Blog

Read the latest blog posts for more information about pests in Oklahoma.