Squirrels can be highly dangerous and destructive on their own, but if you believe that the rodents have invaded your home, there is another reason you need squirrel removal in Vancouver. Squirrels can also bring parasites such as fleas into your home. These can be annoying and possibly dangerous to your family and pets.

Why Do Squirrels Have Fleas?

Essentially, squirrels have fleas because they are wild animals that live outside. Fleas are tiny insects that cannot fly but can jump long distances. They are obligate parasites, meaning that they have to bite and feed from warm-blooded animals to survive. There are different species of fleas named after their preferred hosts, e.g., cat fleas and dog fleas. However, fleas are not very picky and will bite any warm-bodied host they can find.

If squirrels get into your house, they can bring fleas with them. Fleas hibernate during the winter, but when living on a warm animal, they may stay active. If the squirrels leave the attic, they may leave fleas behind in search of new hosts. For this reason, it is important to find squirrel removal in Vancouver that cleans up after the animals have gone to remove the fleas.

Do Fleas Bite Humans?

Fleas have to take blood meals from animals to survive. If the squirrel that brought them there is no longer available, they have to start looking for a new host. If you have dogs or cats, they could become the next host for fleas from a squirrel infestation as these animals are among fleas’ preferred hosts. If you don’t have pets, the fleas may have no choice but to bite you.

Nevertheless, it is possible that fleas could bite you even if you do have a dog or cat. If you let your pet sleep in your bed, fleas may bite you as a matter of convenience while your furry friend is cuddled up next to your feet.

Do Fleas Spread Diseases?

It is rare for flea bites to spread diseases to either animals or humans, but it can happen. Fleas were responsible for spreading the bubonic plague in Europe during the Middle Ages, and 25 million people died as a result. Fleas can become carriers of cat scratch fever by biting pets and can spr  ead it to humans. Murine typhus is a bacterial disease affecting rodents. Fleas that have bitten rodents can then spread it to people and pets.

What Are the Effects of Flea Bites on People and Pets?

Even when flea bites don’t spread disease, they are itchy and miserable for both people and pets. Flea bites can be mistaken for mosquito bites because the symptoms are similar, but if the bites are occurring in the winter, they are more likely to come from fleas.

Fleas can spread intestinal worms to pets by biting them. Worms can make dogs and cats very sick, causing symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. You may be able to tell that your pet has worms if you see little white things moving around in its feces or vomitus. Fortunately, if your pet does have worms, your vet can prescribe a medication that kills the parasites and relieves your pet’s symptoms. Nevertheless, if fleas bite your pet again, reinfection with intestinal worms is possible. Eliminating the fleas in your home is the only way to ensure that there are no infections in the future. 

Dogs and cats infested with fleas can experience anemia from all the blood meals that the insects are taking from them. This can sometimes be severe, especially in puppies or kittens.

Why Should You Hire Skedaddle for Squirrel Removal in Vancouver?

In addition to fleas and other parasites, squirrels can expose you to diseases. They can bite and scratch in self-defence, which could cause injuries. Skedaddle technicians are trained to remove wild animals such as squirrels without harming them or posing a risk to you, your pets or your family. We decontaminate all the areas of a squirrel infestation, and offer attic restoration services to repair the thorough damage caused.. Learn about our process for removing squirrels in more detail.