Best pest control specialists near Lewiston, MN

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fleas can carry human disease-causing pathogens for Plague, Flea-borne typhus, and Cat scratch disease. These diseases are caused by fleas such as Oropsylla montana, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Ctenocephalides felis, and are commonly found in rural areas of the western United States, California, Texas, and Hawaii. Fleaborne parasites like tapeworms can also be spread to people and animals if they accidentally swallow an infected flea, and small children are at a higher risk. Symptoms may not be present in most infected people.

Bed bugs typically live between 10 months to one year, but they lay enough eggs that an infestation can continue to multiply and worsen without professional intervention. These pests can survive up to one year without eating, so you can’t expect a bed bug infestation to resolve without proper treatment.

Across most of the United States, the fall season sees rats at their prime activity levels. As temperatures drop, rats become more active, spurred by the weather shift to seek shelter as winter approaches. During this time, their curiosity and energy peak, driving them to explore what your home and its surroundings might offer.

When you’re checking for bed bugs in your home, start by searching for the telltale signs rather than the insects themselves, as they tend to stay hidden during the day. Here are the key signs of a bed bug infestation:

• Rust-colored or reddish stains on mattresses and bed sheets

• Dark spots on fabric

• Shed skins

• Fecal matter (looks like black spots)

As for fleas, you can typically spot them on your pet. If you notice them scratching themselves excessively, look for bites and bugs on their skin and fur.