When Fleas Invade Your Pet-Friendly Apartment
Whether your pet-friendly property manager only allows cats and small-breed pups, or dogs as big as Clifford in your units, as a tenant with pets of any size you need to keep vigilant watch for fleas.
Of course, no one intends to invite fleas into their home, but as a fairly common pest, they’re a nuisance most pet owners have had to contend with at some point. The more units in a multi-resident pet-friendly complex, the more likely that fleas will find a way in.
Fast Facts About Fleas
Fleas are among the most common parasites affecting human habitats, on account of their appetite for the blood of our most beloved dog and cat companions. Our furry family members pick them up most often from other animals. That means the more time your pets spend outdoors and in contact with other pets (as well as whatever wild critters they may encounter), the more likely they are to return home with a few hitchhikers nesting in their fur.
You’ll first sense something is wrong when your pet starts scratching excessively or even chewing on their fur and limbs. If you notice such behavior, the first thing to do is give your pet a thorough visual examination.
Look for tiny red bumps, almost like pimples, and comb through the animal’s fur looking for tiny, dust-sized particles that move on their own. If you detect either of these telltale signs, the next step is to immediately treat not only your pets but your home as well.
Unlike bed bugs, fleas aren’t shy. Their legendary ability to jump allows for extreme mobility, meaning once they’ve attacked your pet they will quickly spread across your home in search of new hosts. The sooner you catch the infestation, the easier it will be to treat.
Fight Back Against Fleas
Treatment starts with your pet.
Veterinarians recommend a wide variety of options, including spot treatments applied directly to the skin, oral medications and specialized shampoos. Consult with your vet for the most appropriate treatment for your cat or dog.
Next, it’s time to treat the home, and this is where apartment managers can educate and assist their residents with flea removal and prevention. Ultimately, property managers are legally responsible for contacting pest control experts to professionally remediate the problem as quickly as possible -- and before fleas spread to other units.
Before applying any pesticides, it's important to clean and vacuum, especially under beds. Make sure to reach every nook and cranny. Regular cleaning and vacuuming is also the best method to prevent future outbreaks, to ensure that individuals that make their way inside are taken care of before the population starts to grow.
Wash all human and animal bedding in hot water to kill and remove any strays. Although fleas generally stay on their hosts, a few will always be out looking for another victim.
Finally, once alerted to the problem, your property manager will call a pest control professional to come out and treat the apartment and surrounding areas with the appropriate flea control products. While it could be tempting to trust in DIY flea treatment methods, it’s best to leave this pest to the pros.
Call in a licensed service professional with access to industry-leading materials and equipment, along with the skills and experience to clean your home of any remaining jumping parasites. They’ll also be able to set up a regular inspection schedule to ensure you catch future issues before they become problems.
For fleas and other problems affecting multi-resident communities, schedule a free consultation with our specially-trained service planners to address all of your pest-related concerns.
