About Fleas

Fleas are a troublesome pest in Arizona homes, especially for households with pets like dogs or cats. Although Arizona's dry climate isn't ideal for fleas, they can still thrive indoors or in shaded, moist outdoor areas like under decks, patios, or dense vegetation. The cat flea is the most common species in the region and will bite both animals and humans, causing itching, allergic reactions, and potentially transmitting tapeworms or other diseases.

Flea infestations typically begin when pets pick up fleas from outside or from contact with other animals, and the pests then lay eggs in pet bedding, carpets, furniture, or floor cracks. Fleas reproduce quickly, so a small problem can become a serious infestation fast.

To prevent fleas, homeowners should treat pets with vet-recommended flea preventatives, wash pet bedding frequently, vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly, and maintain tidy yards by trimming grass and removing organic debris.

Pest control professionals play a key role by identifying infestation hotspots, applying insect growth regulators (IGRs) and adulticides both indoors and outdoors, and coordinating treatment schedules to interrupt the flea life cycle. Successful flea control often requires simultaneous treatment of the home, pets, and yard.