Fleas are tiny but troublesome pests that can quickly infest your home and cause discomfort for both pets and humans. Here’s how to identify their presence:

• Check Your Pets: Fleas are most commonly found on pets, especially dogs and cats. Look for excessive scratching, biting, or licking, as well as red, irritated skin. You might even spot the tiny, dark brown insects themselves crawling through fur.
• Inspect Bedding and Furniture: Fleas often lay eggs in pet bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Look for tiny, black specks (flea dirt) or even the white, translucent eggs themselves.
• Observe Your Own Skin: Flea bites on humans usually appear as small, red, itchy bumps, often clustered on the ankles and legs.
• Use a Flea Comb: Run a fine-toothed flea comb through your pet’s fur. If fleas are present, you’ll likely see them caught in the comb’s teeth or notice flea dirt (dried blood) on the comb.
• Look for Flea “Dirt”: This looks like small specks of black pepper and is actually flea feces. You can find it by laying down a white sheet or paper and combing your pet over it. If black specks appear, wet them with water. If they turn reddish-brown (digested blood), fleas are likely the culprit.