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title: What do Fleas Look Like and How To Get Rid of Them?

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# What do Fleas Look Like and How To Get Rid of Them?

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If you’ve noticed your pets scratching incessantly or found small, itchy red bumps around your ankles, you are likely dealing with fleas. These parasites are designed to infiltrate your home, thrive in your carpets, and multiply at a rate that can overwhelm even the cleanest environments in a matter of days. 

To reclaim your home, you need to understand exactly what you are fighting and execute a plan to wipe them out for good.

## What Do Fleas Look Like?

To the naked eye, a flea looks like a tiny, dark speck that moves with frustrating speed. If you manage to catch one, you’ll notice they are reddish-brown or black and roughly the size of a chia seed.

Under a microscope, their design is terrifyingly different. They have laterally flattened bodies, which allows them to weave through dense pet fur or carpet fibers with ease. Their bodies are covered in backward-pointing spines that act like anchors, making it nearly impossible to wash or brush them off a host.

## Do Fleas Fly or Jump?

A common question from frustrated homeowners is, **[do fleas fly](https://guardianmosquitoandpestcontrol.com/comprehensive-guide-to-pest-control-treatment-for-fleas-bed-bugs/)**? The answer is no, they do not have wings. But if your question is do fleas jump? Then yes, they do, and with terrifying force. Using a specialized protein called resilin, they can catapult themselves up to 13 inches horizontally and 7 inches vertically. 

To put that in perspective, that is the equivalent of a human jumping over a 30-story building. This explosive power is how they transfer from a blade of grass onto your dog, or from your rug onto your leg.

## How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House?

If you see one flea, there are likely hundreds of eggs and larvae hidden in your floorboards. Eradication requires a multi-purpose approach:

* **Sanitization:** Vacuuming is your most powerful tool. It sucks up adults and, more importantly, the vibrations trigger dormant pupae to emerge so they can be killed. You must vacuum every crack, crevice, and rug daily, immediately emptying the canister outside.
* **Heat Treatment:** Wash all bedding, pet toys, and removable upholstery in water at least 140°F (60°C) and dry them on the highest heat setting.
* **Pet Care:** A consistent flea treatment for your pets is non-negotiable. Consult your vet for oral or topical preventatives that disrupt the life cycle.

## When DIY Fails: Professional Pest Control for Fleas

Many of us spend hundreds of dollars on bug bombs and powders, only for the infestation to return two weeks later. This happens because most over-the-counter products fail to penetrate the pupal stage, where fleas are protected by a silk-like cocoon.

This is where pest control for fleas becomes a necessity. They use industrial-grade Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) that prevent larvae from ever reaching adulthood.

If you are tired of the constant itch and the endless vacuuming, it’s time for professional extermination of fleas. Experts like Guardian Mosquito and Pest Control have the specialized equipment and residual treatments necessary to reach the deep fibers of your home where these parasites hide. They don't just kill the fleas you see, but also neutralize the generations waiting to hatch.