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Fleas?!

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jeromedawg:
Hey all,

So we currently have an issue with fleas in our condo. We actually had a problem previously after dog-sitting but this was years ago and we eventually got rid of them. The past week we were out of town and the heat has been crazy down here in SoCal. Within the past few days after getting back I noticed flea bites all over my feet/legs. My kids have gotten bit too I think. I have a sneaking suspicion it might be from roof rats burrowing under the decking we have immediately outside our kitchen and master bedroom due to the heat. Just a couple days ago we noticed a dozen flesh flies and blow flies flying around our home, indicating something probably crawled up and died behind a wall (a rat perhaps?). We've had issues with rats previously but when I go into our yard I don't see any immediate signs like droppings. The HOA came out and set traps but that was months ago. I even posted a thread here with a video of *almost* catching a huge rat in a trap at night.

In any case, we just vacuumed last night and I confirmed seeing 2-3 fleas in the vacuum canister. I've tried DE but unless it was fake stuff, it didn't seem too effective. So now I'm wanting to get some sort of flea spray or perimeter control. Any suggestions on what can be done? I have a couple rat traps and am tempted to set them but may just contact the HOA first about all this. 

jeromedawg:
To confirm my suspicions I walked out to the second deck near the master bedroom with white socks and a TON of fleas jumped on my socks! I had a cup of water so I picked them off and dumped them in. I probably got bit a few more times but I had to do it to find out where they are coming from - same location as where the rat I tried to trap was months ago.

I ended up contacting the HOA and they're putting a work-order through for pest control both for the suspected rats and fleas. Fleas don't just show up out of nowhere - I know that much. We don't have pets and I've never see stray cats come into our yard, so I'm pretty sure this is a rat issue. Not sure what else it could be bringing these things in.

jeromedawg:
Went back out again to sprinkle Sevin Dust all over that deck. While doing so I spotted a bunch of rat droppings over there - so that pretty much confirms it's the rats. I'm probably going to set a couple traps out there and see what happens...

EDIT: just placed some unloaded baited traps against the wall in the area I see the droppings. We have a shed up against that wall so I think they're using it for cover. I may have to get rid of or move that thing... I'm gonna set a camera up outside like what I did last time and see if I can capture the activity. I figure the exterminator will only trap outside our walls and possibly just spray insecticide in the yard.

paddedhat:
I feel your pain. Our first new home was the first structure built on an old farm field. We accidentally moved into half a bazzion field mice and had Whitetail deer surrounding the place as they grazed. We weathered several infestations.  At the peak of the worst one, the exterminator ran up the basement steps, squealing like a little girl, after he looked at his socks. It got so bad at one point that my pickup truck was infested. We did all the DE, natural remedies, dog bath, vacuum etc, but once it get's bad enough, "bombing" the interior was the only success. Good luck.

jeromedawg:

--- Quote from: paddedhat on September 01, 2017, 06:23:05 AM ---I feel your pain. Our first new home was the first structure built on an old farm field. We accidentally moved into half a bazzion field mice and had Whitetail deer surrounding the place as they grazed. We weathered several infestations.  At the peak of the worst one, the exterminator ran up the basement steps, squealing like a little girl, after he looked at his socks. It got so bad at one point that my pickup truck was infested. We did all the DE, natural remedies, dog bath, vacuum etc, but once it get's bad enough, "bombing" the interior was the only success. Good luck.

--- End quote ---

After sprinkling Sevin Dust, within hours of walking back around the deck, I couldn't find any fleas on my socks, so I guess the stuff works! I sprayed some perimeter control stuff right before as well so maybe that killed off a bunch too. No activity to report as far as the rat traps are concerned. I baited the traps with walnuts and cashews that are a bit old, so maybe they need some higher-end stuff like peanut butter LOL

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