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Fleas are leaps and bounds ahead of ticks when jumping from person to person. The average flea can cover 1.9 meters per second. It can also jump over 50 times its own height. Fleas rely solely on their magnificent leaps to jump hosts. While ticks can crawl relatively quickly, their strategy is usually to sit and wait for a victim to "hitchhike" in tall grass.

Since fleas are so tiny, the best way to find them is with a very thorough search. Focus on two specific areas. First, look where your pets spend lots of time sleeping or playing, which is where fleas are likely to linger. Second, look at ground-level fabrics like carpet, furniture upholstery and similar spots where it’s easy for fleas to hide. While you’re probably worried about fleas inside your home, it’s a good idea to check outdoors around patios or outdoor chairs to see if fleas are congregating in specific spots. 

Rats have a strong sense of smell and do not like the smell of bleach. However, pouring bleach in drains or toilets is not a good idea because it can cause dangerous chemical reactions and even damage your pipes. It’s best to have a professional plumber install a rat-blocker or non-return valve instead to keep critters from crawling up the toilet.

The best deterrents for possums include securing trash cans with tight-fitting lids, removing outdoor food sources like pet food or fallen fruit, and trimming tree branches that provide access to your roof or an open window. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can also startle and discourage them from visiting. Additionally, you can take advantage of their strong sense of smell by using garlic, onion, or commercial possum repellents to keep them off your property.