Fleas can be a nuisance when they get inside your home and cause itchy bites, but did you know that some also carry diseases? Flea-borne diseases aren’t as common in the U.S. as diseases caused by mosquitoes and ticks. However, it’s still helpful to know a bit about diseases that come from fleas.
Tapeworms
Flea-borne parasites, including tapeworms, can cause illness in people and pets when they’re ingested by accident. Tapeworm infections might not cause symptoms in people, but they can cause unpleasant symptoms in some pets.
Plague
Fleas can spread bubonic plague to humans, although this isn’t a concern in NJ. Most cases of bubonic plague are found in rural parts of the western U.S. Prompt treatment can be effective in preventing serious illness from occurring.
Typhus
Infected fleas on cats or rats can cause flea-borne typhus in people. Typhus often causes mild or moderate symptoms, although it can lead to severe illness in some individuals. Typhus is mainly found in a few states in the U.S., including Texas, California and Hawaii.
Flea Prevention
You can reduce your risk of a flea problem by keeping your lawn mowed and removing weeds regularly, since this can gives fleas fewer places to hide. Using flea repellent products on your pets can also help keep these pests from getting into your home.
If you need pest control in Ocean County NJ for a flea problem, contact Allison Pest Control. We can help keep you and your family safe from flea-borne diseases by eliminating flea infestations.
