Why North Texas Pet Owners Hate Fleas

Fleas are a year-round problem in Texas as the temperatures here don’t drop low enough to stop these pests from being active in the wintertime. However, the ability of fleas to remain active in Texas during the winter also has to do with the fact that fleas live and feed on warm-blooded host animals. But beyond the fact that these pests are able to remain active year-round, there is another, more important reason North Texas pet owners hate fleas. It has to do with how ridiculously difficult it is to get rid of them once they get inside!

Everyone Has a Story

We've heard some horror stories regarding flea infestations, that's for sure. Some pet owners go through the wringer trying to get rid of these pernicious pests. They vacuum their carpets over and over again. They wash all their bedding, clothing, and any cloth items their pets have laid on. They buy sprays from the pet store and treat their floors, furniture, and other key locations around their home. And on top of all this, they bathe their pets in flea control products, soap and water, vinegar, or some other concoction that is supposed to get rid of fleas. Some people even go out and buy expensive flea collars and other flea treatments in a desperate attempt to arrest the infestation in their home. And you would think all that would be enough to stop those fleas, but sometimes it isn't! After taking all these steps to get rid of them, some pet owners still find fleas springing around on their home or crawling around inside their pet's fur. It's enough to make anyone go a little crazy!

So, why are fleas so hard to get rid of? Well, there are many reasons. First of all, some flea products don't work to kill flea eggs, so those eggs hatch and more fleas develop in locations you've already treated. Once those fleas mature, they’ll climb onto your pets once again. Another reason eliminating fleas is so difficult is that your pets can drop flea eggs and flea dirt in locations that you've already treated. If the products you used were not residual, new fleas will hatch in those areas and a new infestation will take form. Lastly, fleas also reproduce rather quickly. Trying to rid your home of fleas can feel a lot like trying to put out a forest fire with only a damp blanket. You’ll manage to put the fire out in one spot and move to the next, only to turn around and realize that the first spot is up in flames again! Talk about a nightmare.

It gets even more complicated if you have a rodent infestation in your home along with flea problems. You can do everything right, treat every spot, flea treat all your pets, and have another infestation pop up just as soon as you’re done. But why? Because those rodents can introduce new fleas into your home! Invading rodents will go in and out of your home all the time and each time they go out, they can pick up more fleas and carry them right inside. That means you may be vacuuming your floors, washing your pets, re-treating your home and your pets, moving your furniture around, and taking all the other steps you did before all over again! If you're thinking, "Um, no thanks." We're with you!