Fleas

Signs You Have Fleas

What homeowners spot first

1. Pets scratching excessively
2. Flea dirt (black specks) in pet fur
3. Bites on ankles and lower legs
4. Fleas jumping on light-colored surfaces
5. Pets with hair loss or hot spots

Adult fleas live on a host (dogs, cats, raccoons, deer) and rarely leave once they're settled in. Eggs drop off the host into carpets, pet beds, and shaded spots in the yard, then hatch into larvae that hide in protected places. The tricky stage is the cocoon. Pupae can sit dormant for months and only wake up when they sense vibration, body heat, or CO2. That's why families moving into a vacant home sometimes get hit with a flea outbreak the first week.

Flea control takes three fronts at once: your pets (through your vet), the home interior with growth regulators that break the lifecycle, and the yard where eggs and larvae hide. Plan on multiple visits. Pupae are protected inside cocoons and keep emerging for weeks, so one treatment alone won't finish the job.

Why do I still have fleas after treatment?

Flea pupae sit inside protective cocoons that shrug off most treatments. They keep emerging for 2 to 4 weeks after the first service, which is why one visit isn't enough. Stick with the schedule and keep vacuuming daily to trigger pupae early, and the cycle breaks.

Can I get fleas without pets?

Yes. Fleas hitch in on wildlife passing through the yard, on used furniture, or from previous occupants' pets. We see this most often in Boise rentals and Garden City homes near the greenbelt. The pupae can wait months for a warm body to walk in.

When is flea season in Boise?

Flea pressure in the Treasure Valley climbs from June through October, with the worst weeks usually in August and September. Pets pick them up from wildlife during warm months. Indoors, where it stays heated year-round, an infestation can keep running through winter if it isn't treated.