Fleas in December?…Seriously!!! Are you wondering why you are experiencing flea problems even with the cooler weather that we’ve been experiencing lately?
Some reasons could be:
- November was actually a warm month compared to previous years in our area and with fleas thriving in temps of 65-80 degrees it’s no wonder that we’re still seeing these biters.
- Fleas can survive in a dormant state and pupae can remain dormant for up to 30 weeks. So if these fleas are tucked away in nests, your home or your pet as soon as you turn on the heat, there is a sudden explosion of flea activity.
- It’s also possible to have a flea infestation in your home without ever owning a pet, especially if you live in areas where fleas are always a problem (due to stray cats, squirrels, rodents or other wildlife). Humans can track fleas into the house. Fleas can jump on you when you’re in the yard and hitchhike a free ride into your home
Once the temps drop lower the flea population will greatly reduce but with the constant weather changes there is always a possibility of a resurgence.
Under the right conditions and with a food source the average flea can live up to 100 days. An active female flea can lay a few eggs every day, eventually laying 400 to 800 eggs in her life span!
DYI products can be used for minor infestations and eliminate the problem most of the time. When dealing with a full blown infestation (to where they are actually biting you) your best plan of attack is to contact your local pest management professional.
Flea bites are not harmful but because of the itching the bites can become infected by the constant scratching.