The warm, comfortable temperatures of summer in Hawaii make for perfect outdoor gatherings and backyard barbecues. But our tropical climate is also an ideal environment for fleas. Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals such as deer, livestock, and even humans, but they prefer our pets. Fleas can live almost anywhere, but once they get into your house, they can be a real problem to get rid of.

What Do Fleas Look Like?

Fleas are extremely tiny insects (2.5 mm long) that you will probably miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Usually, we notice fleas when our pets start scratching more than usual. They have yellow, red, or dark brown bodies that show up well on bright-colored pets. But, you’ll have to look closely.

How Do Fleas Get Into Your Home?

The number one way fleas in Oahu enter your home is by hitching a ride on our pets. Fleas love warm and humid conditions, which makes Hawaii a perfect habitat for these parasites to thrive. Fleas can live almost anywhere in your yard but prefer shady areas like under trees and porches. Usually, these places are areas your pets love to lay to escape the sun.

Sensing the warm blood of our furry friends, fleas are able to jump 7-8 inches vertically and 14-16 inches horizontally, turning our pets into unwilling Trojan horses. Once inside our homes, fleas can jump off and live in our carpet and furniture, where the female can lay up to 2,000 eggs in her short, six-month life cycle.

Dangers Fleas Pose To You and Your Family

Fleas in Oahu aren’t just an annoying nuisance that drives you and your pets crazy. Flea-borne parasites, such as tapeworms, can spread to humans and pets if a flea is accidentally ingested. Young children are at a higher risk for this than adults, as they spend more time close to the floor and carpeted areas where fleas are found. According to the Centers for Disease Control, fleas can also carry flea-borne diseases such as:

Plague
Murine Typhus
Catch Scratch Disease

How To Get Rid Of Fleas?

Once established in your home, flea control is very tricky. Adult fleas account for about five percent of the total flea population in your house. Eggs, larvae, and pupa account for the other 95%. So that means that active fleas are just the tip of the iceberg. As eggs fall off your pets, they land on your carpet and can lay dormant for a very long time until activated by the presence of a warm body. This means you could think you have solved the flea problem, but it could return with a vengeance at any time. DIY solutions to get rid of fleas can include:

Clean Often: The best way to battle fleas is to sweep and vacuum often to ensure you pick up all the eggs. Even just one egg hatching can quickly turn into an infestation.

Spray: Apply flea spray to your carpet and furniture to kill off any fleas that you may have missed

Remove Fleas From Pets: Since the flea problem began when your pets brought them in you’ll need to make sure that there are no more fleas lurking under their fur. You can help the situation by using a flea comb to comb out the fleas, but your best bet is to kill them and prevent them from coming back. Ask your vet about flea medication that can eliminate and prevent fleas from returning.

Professional Flea Control in Oahu

If you’re experiencing issues with fleas in your home, the best way to handle it is to leave it to the professionals. At Sandwich Isle, we have years of experience controlling fleas in Oahu. Check out our mosquito and flea control program or contact us today for more information. Don’t forget to check out our monthly blog for more helpful tips and tricks.