Expert Flea Exterminator Houston
Noticed your pets scratching more, or seen fleas in your house? Give us a call right away. We'll help you get in front of the flea problem before it gets out of hand, and we guarantee all of our services.
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Fleas love Houston. We get them out
Fleas like many different types of environments, and Houston, Texas makes an ideal home. They thrive in moist, humid areas, prefer shade, and avoid direct sunlight. Fleas tend to flourish wherever there are pets, tall grass, or wooded areas, and they multiply in the spring and summer.
Once fleas are in your home, they're hard to shake. Most people try to handle it with over-the-counter pesticides, but those only kill the adults. The eggs hatch a few days later and you're right back where you started. That cycle keeps repeating until a professional steps in.
Pets scratching more than usual? Actually seeing fleas in the house? Give us a call right away. We'll get in front of the problem before it spreads, and every service is guaranteed.
The fleas you see are only 5% of the problem
Understanding how fleas work is key to completely getting rid of them. The adult fleas on your pet, or biting you, are just a fraction of the population. The rest are hiding as eggs, larvae, and pupae, which is exactly why do-it-yourself treatments fall short.
50%
Eggs
Eggs make up the largest share of any infestation, and they're the part most do-it-yourself treatments miss entirely.
35%
Larvae
The larva stage is when fleas are at their most vulnerable to treatment.
10%
Pupae
Pupae spin protective cocoons, making this the hardest stage in which to kill fleas.
5%
Adults
The adult fleas you actually see on your pet, or biting you, are only a small fraction of the total population.
Know your enemy
A little background on these tiny, fast-breeding pests goes a long way toward keeping them out for good.
Appearance & behavior
Fleas can look different depending on the species, but they generally range from brown to black and are about one-eighth of an inch long. Despite their size, a flea can jump an average of a foot in a single leap. Their ideal home is one with pets, carpeted floors, and a moderate-to-warm room temperature.
Origin
The scientific name for fleas is Siphonaptera, roughly translated from Latin as “a wingless sucker.” There are over 2,500 species of flea in the world, with at least 325 different species found across the United States. Flea fossils date back to the Mesozoic era, and they have plagued the planet ever since.
Reproduction & life cycle
Fleas go through four stages (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) though the timing varies completely with the environment. Female adults can lay 10 to 50 eggs daily, usually on your pet, which then fall onto bedding, floors, or the yard. Eggs hatch into larvae after 1 to 10 days; the larval stage lasts another 5 to 11 days; and the pupal stage can take anywhere from a few days to six months. In ideal conditions a flea can live up to a year and a half, though three months is more typical.
Species
Fleas are found mostly on fur-bearing animals: cats, dogs, raccoons, opossums, deer, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and more. Common U.S. species include the human flea, northern rat flea, sticktight flea, European flea, squirrel flea, and oriental flea. Despite their names, most don't stick to a single host: the cat flea, for instance, is the most common type found on both cats and dogs.
Fleas are more than a nuisance
A flea bite usually causes a burning, intense itch, an effect of the anticoagulant in their saliva that keeps your blood flowing so they can feed longer. At any point, that flea could also be carrying a serious disease.
How we get rid of fleas
Do-it-yourself flea treatments simply aren't very effective, and they can even interfere with professional service. Your best option is to have a professional exterminator evaluate the home and situation, determine the right method of treatment, and target the areas that need it most.
Step 1: Pre-treatment
There are several steps you can take to make your yard less flea-friendly. Mowing your grass gives them less area to latch onto, and removing debris or clutter eliminates hiding places. Inside, sweep, mop, and vacuum daily. When you vacuum, take the bag outside, empty it into a sealed bag or airtight container, tie it off, and throw it away. Otherwise fleas can find their way back out and into your carpet or furniture.
Step 2: Low-impact treatments
After a technician treats the areas with the most activity, the treatment won't be absorbed into organic material such as your pets or your family.
Step 3: Monitoring
It's common to see more fleas right after your first treatment. The treated areas are no longer suitable for them, so they begin leaving. Fleas start to die off about three weeks after treatment. Severe infestations may need an additional treatment.
Step 4: Flea prevention & control
Even after the fleas are gone, keep cleaning your floors, mow your lawn often, and keep your pet on a flea preventative. Areas like Houston are at higher risk because of the climate, so staying on top of these tasks makes it much harder for any survivors to return.
Licensed Technicians
A large team of highly trained, licensed pest control technicians across Texas.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
If the problem isn't handled, we treat until it's gone, at no additional cost.
Same-Day Service
We make same-day pest control a priority in most cases.
Organic & Pet-Friendly
Child- and pet-friendly products, with fully organic options and IPM techniques.
Why Texas homeowners choose Stampede
Same-day service in most cases
Dealing with pests is stressful, so we make it a priority to treat your home or business the same day whenever we can.
100% satisfaction guarantee
If the problem isn't handled right away, we treat your home or business until it's gone, at no additional cost to you.
Experienced, licensed technicians
A large team of highly trained technicians and the proper tools to do the job the right way the first time.
Organic & pet-friendly options
Child- and pet-friendly products, fully organic services, and IPM techniques that avoid over-spraying.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Call us for a free, instant quote over the phone.
Fleas are most active in the spring and summer.
Fleas prefer animals because their fur is much easier to live in and feed on.
Absolutely. Cat fleas will choose a variety of hosts, from dogs and birds to humans.
Fleas pose a health risk to both you and your pets. The earlier you can treat them, the better and easier the entire process will be.
Fleas in your Houston home?
Don't let the cycle repeat. Call Stampede now for guaranteed flea extermination and a free, instant quote over the phone.