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Fleas in Delaware: How to Spot Them and Get Rid of Them
Itchy pets and bites around the house? Learn how fleas spread through a home, why one treatment often isn't enough, and how Wolfe Pest Control treats fleas.
Quick facts
- Fleas bite both pets and people.
- Flea pupae can wait up to a year before hatching.
- Treating the pet (through your vet) and the home go together.
- Vacuuming and washing bedding before treatment really matter.
What they look likeSignsAre they dangerous?How we treat themPreventionFAQ
What do they look like?
Cat fleas are tiny, about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, brownish-black, and flattened side to side. They have no wings but jump well. A female lays 4 to 8 eggs after each blood meal, and the eggs fall off into bedding and carpet. Larvae live in the debris there and don't bite. Pupae can hatch in days, or wait up to a year when conditions are poor.
Signs you have them
- Pets scratching or chewing at their skin
- Itchy bites on people
- Tiny dark insects jumping on carpet, furniture, or pet bedding
- Fleas in a building that's been empty for a while
Are they dangerous?
Fleas bite pets and people. UMD Extension says flea bite dermatitis is the most common skin disease in dogs and cats. Fleas can also carry the double-pored dog tapeworm, which can infect dogs, cats, and people. Adults can live up to a year, and pupae can wait just as long, which is why one round often isn't enough.
How Wolfe treats them
Flea jobs work best as a team effort. Before we come, we'll ask you to vacuum, wash pet bedding, and get your pets treated by your vet. We apply a residual product with a growth regulator so young fleas can't develop. Since pupae can survive a long time, a follow-up visit is often needed. We'll tell you when kids and pets can go back into treated areas. Questions? Call (302) 697-8969.
How to keep them out
- Vacuum floors and furniture often, and throw out the bag.
- Steam-clean carpets and wash pet bedding.
- Keep your pets on the flea treatment your vet recommends.
- Call a pro for heavy infestations.
Common questions
Why do I need to vacuum before you come?
Vacuuming picks up eggs, larvae, and pupae from floors and furniture. UMD Extension lists it as a key step in flea control.
Do you treat my pet?
No. Pet treatment should come through your veterinarian. We treat the home.
Why are fleas still showing up after treatment?
Flea pupae can wait up to a year before hatching, so new adults can keep showing up. That's why a follow-up visit is often part of the plan.
Why do I have fleas in a house with no pets?
UMD Extension notes infestations can happen in buildings that have been empty, or where animals nest in attics or crawl spaces.
Sources: University of Maryland Extension: Fleas
Last reviewed October 2026 by Wolfe Pest Control.
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