Unoccupied Camper Flea Infestation: What Could Be The Cause?

If you've noticed a flea infestation in your unoccupied camper, you're probably wondering how it happened. Well, fleas are tiny, wingless parasites that feed on the blood of humans and animals, and they can jump as far as 13 inches—that's 100 times their body length! They can hitch a ride on pets, clothing, or used items brought into the camper, and once inside, they can quickly get into everything in such a small space. To get rid of them, you'll need to treat both your pet and the camper itself, using a combination of cleaning methods, sprays, and pet-friendly topical medications.

How fleas enter an unoccupied camper

If you have a flea infestation in your camper, it's likely that your pet brought them in. Fleas can jump onto your pet when they're outside, or they can hitch a ride on objects brought indoors, such as clothes from a flea-infested area or a used pet bed. If your pet is a carrier of mature fleas, your camper can become a breeding ground.

Fleas can also be carried by wildlife in your backyard, such as squirrels, raccoons, and feral cats. They can eventually make their way inside your camper.

Fleas can enter your camper through:

• Pets: They are the primary source of flea infestations. Dogs and cats are common 'reservoirs' for fleas. If your pet is infested, they can bring fleas into your camper, and the eggs can fall off and hatch indoors.
• Clothing: Fleas can hitch a ride on clothes worn in flea-infested areas.
• Used pet beds: If you bring a used pet bed into your camper, it could be infested with fleas or their eggs.
• Wildlife: Squirrels, raccoons, and feral cats can carry fleas, which can then enter your camper.

To prevent fleas from entering your camper, it's important to keep your pets and their bedding free of fleas. Regularly groom your pets and inspect them for fleas, especially if they have been outdoors. Wash your pet's bedding frequently in hot water and dry it on high heat.

Additionally, keep your backyard well-maintained by mowing the lawn, raking leaves, and trimming overgrown plants. This will help reduce the flea population in your yard and lower the chances of them entering your camper.

How to identify a flea infestation

Fleas are small reddish-brown insects that feed off the blood of humans and animals. They are wingless parasites with flat bodies, strong legs, and a disproportionately small head. Flea infestations are typically worse in the summer months as fleas thrive in warm, moist places. However, they can be a year-round problem.

Signs of a Flea Infestation:

• Seeing fleas hopping on drapery, carpets, or furniture
• Multiple dot-like insects in your pet's fur
• Your pets scratching, licking, or biting their fur excessively
• Reddish-brown flea dirt or flea faeces in your pet's fur
• Reddened areas of skin with some fur loss due to flea bites
• Pale gums in animals due to blood loss
• Tapeworms in your pet's stool, as fleas can transmit this parasite
• Flea bites on your body, typically on the lower legs and feet, characterised by red spots surrounded by red halos

How to Check for Fleas:

• Use a flea comb to part your pet's fur, especially around the head, neck, ears, belly, hindquarters, and base of the tail, to look for fleas or flea dirt
• Place a few specks of suspected flea dirt on a lightly moistened white tissue. If it turns reddish-brown, it is flea faeces
• Check your pet's bedding, upholstery, carpets, rugs, and floors for flea eggs, which are tiny off-white ovals
• Try the white sock test: wear white socks and walk around your home, keeping close to carpeted areas and putting your feet up on furniture. Check the socks for fleas

Preventing a Flea Infestation:

• Keep your pet on a high-quality flea preventative all year round
• Vacuum frequently to remove fleas and their eggs
• Mow your lawn regularly and keep your yard free of tall weeds and grasses
• Use anti-flea products in your home, applying them directly to carpets and floors to destroy flea eggs and larvae

How to treat a camper for fleas

Identify the Source

First, identify the source of the fleas. If you have a pet, they are likely the source and will need to be treated for fleas. If you don't have a pet, you may have brought the fleas into the camper yourself on your clothes or shoes.

Treat Affected Pets and People

If your pet is the source of the fleas, use a flea comb and an effective soap, such as Dawn dish soap, to remove the fleas from their fur. You can also ask your veterinarian for advice on appropriate flea-killing products, such as tablets, solutions, or powders. It is important to never use flea treatments intended for a different species, as these can be harmful or even fatal.

If you or other people using the camper have fleas, wash your clothes and bedding in hot water and dry them at the highest heat setting. You can also treat flea bites with ice packs and antihistamines to reduce swelling and itching.

Treat the Camper

To treat your camper, you will need to thoroughly clean all surfaces, paying special attention to carpets, upholstery, bedding, and pet bedding. Vacuum all floors, carpets, and upholstery, getting into all cracks and crevices. Wash all bedding and fabric items in hot water and dry them at the highest heat setting.

Next, use a flea spray that kills flea eggs, larvae, and adult fleas on all upholstery, beds, and floors. You can also use a steam cleaner on carpets and upholstery to kill fleas with heat and soap.

Finally, sprinkle baking powder, salt, or a carpet treatment for fleas on your floors to kill any remaining fleas.

Follow-Up

To ensure that you have eliminated the flea infestation, perform follow-up treatments after about a week. Repeat the cleaning and treatment process several times until you are satisfied that the fleas are gone. Continue to monitor your camper and pets for the next month or two to catch any fleas that may have survived.

If you are unable to get rid of the fleas on your own, you may need to call in professional pest control services.

How to treat pets for fleas

If you suspect your pet has fleas, there are several steps you should take to treat them and prevent the problem from escalating.

Firstly, you should confirm the presence of fleas. Check your pet for signs of fleas, such as frequent scratching, areas of hair loss, bald or sore patches, redness and irritation, thickened skin in areas like around the ears, or tiny dark specks in their fur. You can also use a fine-toothed flea comb to check for fleas or their droppings. Part your pet's fur and comb it, holding the comb over a piece of white paper. If you see any reddish-brown droppings, it's likely your pet has fleas.

If you suspect fleas, you should take immediate action. Fleas can multiply quickly, leading to a serious infestation. They can also transmit diseases and cause tapeworm in your pet.

To treat your pet:

• Consult your veterinarian for advice on the best flea-killing products. They may recommend flea tablets, or solutions/powders to be applied to your pet's fur.
• Give your pet a bath. While this won't get rid of all fleas, it can help to reduce their number and ease itching. Use a shampoo designed to kill fleas or a gentle pet shampoo.
• Use a flea comb to remove fleas, eggs, and flea faeces from your pet's fur. Flea combs have fine teeth that trap fleas while allowing fur to pass through. Dip the comb in soapy water to kill any fleas. Pay special attention to areas like the neck and tail, where fleas tend to feed.
• Treat your pet for tapeworm. Since fleas can transmit this parasite, it's important to ensure your pet is treated for worms.
• Wash your pet's bedding and toys in warm soapy water. Also, wash any bedding or fabrics your pet comes into contact with, such as your own bedding if your pet sleeps on your bed.
• Vacuum regularly. Vacuum floors, upholstery, and crevices thoroughly. Use attachments to get into corners and tight spots where fleas hide. Dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed bag outside your home.
• Use a flea control spray. Treat your home with a flea spray containing insecticides and insect growth regulators (IGRs). Choose a product that is safe for your pets and follow the instructions carefully.
• Consider calling a professional pest control company if the infestation is severe or difficult to control.

Remember, always follow the advice of your veterinarian, and use products that are suitable for your specific pet.

How to prevent a flea infestation

To prevent a flea infestation, it is important to maintain good hygiene practices and keep your pets free of fleas. Here are some detailed steps you can take to prevent a flea infestation:

Keep your pets flea-free

Regularly check your pets for fleas, especially if they are scratching or biting their fur more than usual. Use a flea comb to part your pet's fur and look for adult fleas, flea dirt (flea faeces), or dark spots on their skin. If you find any signs of fleas, treat your pets with appropriate flea-killing products recommended by your veterinarian. It is important to treat all pets in the household, not just the ones showing signs of fleas.

Maintain good hygiene practices

• Regularly clean and wash all pet bedding, laundry, quilts, blankets, and linens. Wash these items at least every two to three weeks.
• Vacuum carpets, rugs, upholstery, furniture, cracks, and crevices at least once a week. Dispose of the vacuum bag or its contents outside after each use.
• Treat your home and yard with appropriate insecticides or flea sprays to kill flea eggs, larvae, and adult fleas.
• Keep your yard well-maintained by mowing frequently, avoiding over-watering, and removing debris to make it less attractive to fleas.

Protect yourself from flea bites

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), or para-menthane-diol (PMD).
• Cover your skin with long-sleeved clothing and long pants to minimise exposure to bites.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, or buy pre-treated clothing and gear.

By following these steps, you can effectively prevent a flea infestation and protect yourself and your pets from flea bites.

Frequently asked questions