Fleas
Siphonaptera
How do you get rid of fleas in a Southern California home?
Start by treating every pet at once with a veterinarian-approved flea product, then attack the environment: vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery daily and wash pet bedding in hot water weekly. Because fleas stay active year-round in our mild climate, the eggs and larvae hidden in carpets matter most. A licensed technician applies residual insecticides paired with growth regulators that break the flea life cycle, which is what stops a re-infestation that DIY sprays usually miss.
What are Fleas?
Fleas are wingless insects that survive by feeding on the blood of mammals and birds. They are incredible jumpers, capable of leaping 100 times their body length. Because our winters are mild, fleas can remain active year-round in the South Bay.
Key Takeaways
- Fleas are very small, reddish-brown, sideways-flattened insects with no wings but powerful hind legs that let them jump roughly 100 times their body length.
- In Southern California's mild winters, fleas stay active year-round, so an infestation rarely dies off on its own and can build steadily indoors.
- Fleas are usually introduced by pets or visiting wildlife such as raccoons and opossums, then move into carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding to lay eggs.
- Warning signs include intense itching on pets and people, plus black specks of "flea dirt" in pet fur and bedding.
- The core control principle is breaking the life cycle: treating pets, removing eggs and larvae from the environment, and using growth regulators so larvae never reach adulthood.
Identification & Signs
- Very small, reddish-brown, and flattened sideways
- Hard outer shell that is difficult to crush
- No wings, but powerful hind legs for jumping
- Presence of "flea dirt" (black specks) in pet fur
Why are they a problem?
Fleas are usually introduced to a property by pets or visiting wildlife like raccoons and opossums. Once inside, they quickly move into carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding to lay eggs.
Prevention and Home Tips
Maintain a consistent veterinarian-approved flea program for pets
Vacuum carpets and rugs frequently, especially near pet areas
Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly
Keep your lawn mowed and remove leaf litter
How Xtermicon Treats for Fleas
A successful flea treatment requires a coordinated effort. We use specialized residual insecticides and growth regulators that break the flea life cycle, preventing larvae from reaching adulthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if I have fleas in my house?
Look for intense, repeated itching and scratching in pets, along with small red bites on people, often around the ankles and lower legs. Check your pet's fur and bedding for "flea dirt" — tiny black specks of digested blood. You may also see the fleas themselves: very small, reddish-brown, sideways-flattened insects that jump quickly. Because they hide in carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding, the visible adults are only a fraction of the total population.
Why do I still have fleas after treating my pet?
Treating your pet only addresses the adult fleas living on it, but adults are roughly five percent of an infestation. The vast majority are eggs, larvae, and pupae buried deep in carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding, where they keep hatching for weeks. In Southern California's mild climate those stages stay active year-round. Lasting control requires treating the environment as well — vacuuming frequently, washing bedding in hot water, and using growth regulators that stop larvae from maturing.
Can I get rid of fleas myself, or do I need a professional?
Diligent vacuuming, hot-water washing of pet bedding, and a veterinarian-approved flea program for your pets are essential and can knock back a light problem. But established infestations are stubborn because the egg and larval stages resist many over-the-counter sprays. A licensed technician applies residual insecticides combined with insect growth regulators that break the life cycle, and because fleas re-enter from pets and wildlife, many Southern California homes do best with ongoing, recurring service.
Specialists you
can count on.
Xtermicon was founded in 2015 with one focus: protect Southern California homes and businesses from the pests that threaten them. The name says it all — eXterminate TERmites & pest CONtrol — and that's exactly what we do. We're a family-owned team specializing in termite control, pest control, and rodent exclusion. From West LA and East LA to the beach cities and Orange County, we're local neighbors who treat your property like our own.