There are different kinds of fleas, but the ones you need to get rid of are the most harmful ones, like sand fleas. These are extremely harmful because when they bite you, they cause serious problems and health risks. Sand fleas are sometimes called “hop-along” or “no-see-um”. As they form in huge numbers or into a large group, they will sting you and give you intolerable pain. When a sand flea feels it’s under attack, it’ll turn and attack you.

Sand Fleas: An Overview

Sand fleas in Europe are big, growing as long as an inch. On the American coast, sand fleas have long horns. They feed during the day until late dusk. Experts say that female sand fleas produce eggs on a regular basis and then wait until the eggs are already mature.

Aside from the skin problems they cause, sand fleas can also kill you and your pets. Not all sand fleas are dangerous, though. You just need to watch out for the female fleas because they can give you various diseases. The diseases sand fleas give you are characterized by itchiness and small, hard red spots.

Sand fleas constantly pierce the skin of the host using their mouths. Saliva is injected into the skin and transfers the disease to the victim. The pests will not survive in a particular place for a long period of time. They have to move from one place to another.

Sand flea infestation is not something that you will always find at home, and these pests don’t thrive in domestic animals like dogs and cats. Infestation usually occurs at the marine side, and the pests attack almost anything appealing that’s at least 10 inches of their range. If you are fond of going to the beach, chances are you will be bitten by sand fleas. You know that you have been bitten by if you find a cluster of bites on your ankles, especially if you just came back from looking for sea shells. You will find sand fleas in the sand, too.

You can go to the beach without being bitten by sand fleas if you hit the waters in the cold season. If you do not want to get different types of skin diseases and you don’t want to destroy your legs while on the beach, then below is a list of tips on how to get rid of sand fleas.

How to Get Rid of Sand Fleas

Controlling Sand Fleas Through Vacuum – One major step in getting rid of sand fleas is vacuuming. You need to vacuum every part of your house on a regular basis. This way, the population of the sand fleas is kept low. Vacuuming kills adult sand fleas, including their eggs. The only problem is, it’s not proven to kill the larvae. What you need to do then is to seal cracks after vacuuming. You need to make sure that cracks are eliminated because these are the spots where sand fleas love to breed.

It is not everyday that you see these pests when you vacuum. Vacuuming is more challenging than you might think. To make sure that you get rid of all traces of sand fleas, make sure that you know where to trace them. Here are some clues:

• Dealing with Eggs – Sand flea eggs are often laid on your dogs and cats. Once your dog or cat comes in contact with you carpet, the eggs are dropped on it. Vacuum your carpet by all means.
• Managing Larvae – Once the egg hatches, it automatically becomes larvae, which look like worms with bristle-like strands of hair. The bristle-like hair allows the larvae to move around. You cannot find them in well-lit areas. You will find them along skirting boards, floor board cracks, under furniture, and in corners and crevices.
• Getting Rid of Pupae – This looks like a caterpillar, and it also spins a cocoon. If you vacuum more pupae, the results are better. The cocoon around growing sand fleas is impervious to chemicals and is water tight, which is why vacuuming is the best way to get rid of it.

The Power of Steam Cleaning – If the infestation is already severe, then you may need to do some steam cleaning. Research shows that if you expose the larva of a sand flea to a temperature of 1030 degrees Fahrenheit, it will die, especially if you let it stay in that spot for an hour. There are commercial devices that you can use to create lethal temperatures. Since these commercial tools have a loose shaft, you can only make use of them locally. You should be open about the possibility that there may still be a sand flea under your carpet, or anywhere else.

Insecticide Intervention – You can also prevent sand fleas attacks using insecticides on anything organic outside your house. Insecticides help crack the skin of the sand flea. Once the skin of the sand flea is cracked, the insecticide has absorbed the oil and moisture in the sand flea’s skin. Purchase insecticides that contain d-limonene, linalool and citrus peel extracts, and apply some on the bedding of your pets to prevent any possibility of having sand fleas breed and grow.

Preventive measures for sand fleas are best done at the right time. Prioritize the health of your family and your pets by taking preventive measures that cause annoyance and trouble because of these pests.

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