Fleas are frequently hard to see, but homeowners with pets know when their dogs or cats begin scratching, they may have a flea problem. Fleas are tiny dark brown to black parasites that survive by living on the blood of their host. They do not fly but jump from host to host or from an object or a blade of grass to a passing host. They can easily be brought into your home on shoes, clothing or by a visiting pet. Their bites cause itching and irritation, sometimes leading to secondary infections due to scratching.
The risk of infestation in your home from pets with fleas is high because female fleas lay eggs daily, which do not stay on the pet but instead fall off in pet bedding or on carpeting and then hatch. Reduce your risk of flea infestation by keeping your pet treated year-round.