Fleas can enter a home through pets returning from outside, as well as other animals like rodents or wildlife, and even from neglected yards. These pests thrive in warm, humid environments and can reproduce quickly in areas such as carpets, furniture, and bedding. They are attracted to body heat, carbon dioxide, and the vibrations produced by mammals.
Here’s a more detailed look at the causes:
- Pets: Fleas can hop onto pets from other infested animals, yards, or even dormant flea populations in the environment.
- Wildlife: Rodents, raccoons, and other wildlife in yards or nearby areas can carry fleas that can be introduced to your home.
- Unkempt Yards: Overgrown grass, weeds, and other vegetation provide ideal hiding places and breeding grounds for fleas.
- Environmental Factors: Warm, humid weather and moist areas like carpets, furniture, and bedding create a favorable environment for fleas to thrive and reproduce.
- Other Animals: Fleas can be transmitted from other pets (dogs, cats, etc.) or even from humans if they come into contact with infested areas.
To prevent tick bites, avoid tick habitats like tall grass and brush, wear protective clothing, use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and check yourself and pets regularly for ticks. Also, maintain a tick-free yard by mowing grass, removing leaf litter, and creating a barrier of mulch or crushed stone.
