When to Call A Flea Exterminator

If you see your pets scratching like crazy or you’re noticing red bites around your ankles, you might be dealing with more than a few bugs.

Flea problems can sneak into your home fast, multiply even faster, and cause a long list of problems. That’s why homeowners need to know when to call an exterminator and what to do before the situation gets worse.

Let’s walk through the most common signs of an infestation, what steps to take, and when professional pest control is the best option.

Key Takeaways

• Fleas can spread fast when pets keep scratching, and bites or flea dirt start showing up around the house.
• Store-bought sprays and foggers often miss hidden flea eggs and larvae, making DIY treatments less effective.
• A full cleanup with vacuuming, hot water washing, and same-day pet treatment is key to controlling fleas.
• Professional pest control with a follow-up visit helps keep your home pest-free and stops fleas from coming back.

Common Signs of Fleas

Your Pets Are Scratching Non-stop

When pets start scratching nonstop, it’s often because of flea bites.

Adult fleas feed on your pet’s blood, which causes itching and discomfort. You might notice your dog or cat chewing at their skin or dragging their body across the carpet.

This behavior often means there’s active flea activity.

Watch for flea dirt (which looks like pepper flakes), and check your pet's bedding. You may also spot larvae crawling around.

It’s not just uncomfortable. They can spread tapeworms and cause dermatitis or allergic reactions in some animals and people.

You’ve Got Bites Around Your Feet or Legs

Flea bites often appear in clusters, usually around your ankles, feet, or lower legs. These bites can become very itchy and sometimes infected. Certain types of fleas, like cat fleas, are common in homes and will bite people, too.

When these bites keep showing up, it’s time to check for other signs of a flea infestation.

Why DIY Treatments Fail

DIY Flea Control Isn’t Working

Many pet owners try to control fleas with DIY solutions. You might grab a repellent spray or fogger from the store, but most over-the-counter treatments don’t get to the root of the problem. They usually miss hidden eggs, pupae, and larvae tucked into crevices and under furniture.

Without hitting all parts of the life cycle, your flea populations will keep growing. When your efforts don’t seem to work, it’s time for a professional flea extermination.

Fleas Keep Coming Back Even After Cleaning

You can clean every corner of your house, but if you don’t get rid of fleas at every stage, especially eggs and pupae, they’ll return.

A single female flea can lay dozens of eggs a day. Those eggs hatch into larvae, then pupae, and the cycle continues. Unless you use treatments with growth regulators and thorough follow-up, you’ll find yourself stuck in a loop.

You See Fleas in Pet-Free Areas

One of the clearest signs of a growing flea infestation is spotting them in places where your pets don’t go, like a spare bedroom, closet, or garage.

This means they have spread beyond your pet’s hangouts and are now affecting your home environment. These pests may even travel on clothing or be carried in by wildlife like raccoons.

Once they move beyond your pet’s space, it’s time to call in a pest control company.

What to Do When You Notice Signs of a Flea Infestation

If you think fleas are in your home, there are a few steps you should take right away to stop them.

Vacuum Thoroughly

Start by vacuuming all carpeted areas, including under furniture and in crevices. Pay special attention to corners and baseboards where flea dirt and flea eggs tend to collect. Use a vacuum bag if you have one, and throw it away immediately after cleaning.

This helps remove eggs, larvae, and dirt before they hatch into a new batch of adult fleas.

Wash With Hot Water

Take all pet bedding, blankets, and any fabrics your pets use and wash them in hot water. Heat is one of the most effective ways to kill flea eggs, adults, and larvae.

This is a simple but important step in any flea removal process.

Treat Your Pets and Your Home on the Same Day

You can’t fully control fleas unless you treat your home, yard, and pets. Talk to your vet about flea treatment options like oral tablets or spot-on products. Treat all your pets, even indoor cats.

Combining pet treatment with a pest control service helps ensure better results.

Avoid Overlapping Treatments

After professional pest control, avoid spraying extra over-the-counter products. Too many treatments at once can reduce the effectiveness of the flea treatment used by the exterminator.

Professional pest control companies use products with growth regulators that target each stage of their life cycle.

Schedule a Follow-up Visit

Even the best treatments can’t kill pupae right away.

A follow-up visit from your pest control technician allows them to catch newly hatched fleas before they can start a new cycle. This is key to long-term flea prevention and a truly flea-free home.

Ready to Get Rid of Fleas and Stay Pest-Free?

When you’re dealing with a flea infestation, time matters.

At Miller Pest & Termite, our pest management team knows how to get rid of fleas from start to finish.

Our extermination services cover both indoor and outdoor areas, and we use flea control methods that target all the tough spots, like crevices, carpet fibers, and pet bedding.

Whether it’s cat fleas hiding in your furniture or larvae buried in your rugs, our expert team knows how to treat every part of your home. Our flea treatments are safe, effective, and come with a follow-up to make sure the fleas are truly gone.

Serving Des Moines, Kansas City, and Omaha, our team is here to help when fleas take over. Let’s help you get back to comfortable, year-round, flea-free living.

Contact us to get started.