Are you thinking about adopting a new puppy? It’s estimates that nearly 1 in 3 homes in the U.S. own at least one dog (many families own two or more). There’s nothing that compares to the unconditional love, loyalty and devotion of man’s best friend. Your dog will be there to greet you at the door when you come home from a long day at work, and they will always wag their tail with excitement, regardless of what kind of mood you are in. Before you bring a puppy home, however, you should perform a thorough inspection to determine whether or not there are any fleas present.
Contrary to what some people may believe, fleas can invest a home even if there are no dogs present. If you bring a puppy into a flea-infested home, it will likely get eaten alive by these problematic parasites. This is why it’s important for individuals and families to inspect their home for fleas before they introduce a new puppy into the environment. And if you happen to find any, you should follow some basic precautions to exterminate them.
So, what’s the best way to look for fleas in a home? If your home is infested with fleas, you’ll probably know it from the constant itching and swelling their bites leave behind. When a flea bites into the skin of a host — whether it’s a dog, cat or human — it injects a small amount of saliva, which may cause an allergic reaction. This reaction is characterized by itching, swelling and redness that lasts for several days. Although it usually heals on its own without the need for medical assistance, flea bites are still a nuisance that most people prefer to avoid.
If you have flea in your home, you’ll probably notice small specks of black pepper-like granules. Known as flea dirt, this is essentially dried blood that’s passed through the flea’s digestive system. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may find just a couple specks of it, or it could be covering your carpet and baseboards. It’s recommended that you go ahead and vacuum up any flea dirt you happen to come across.
The key thing to remember is that you want to bring your puppy to a flea-free home. A puppy’s immune system isn’t as strong as a full-grown adult, which means they are more susceptible to the flea’s saliva. Be sure to check out some of our helpful guides and articles for more information on how to maintain a flea-free home.