There is nothing worse than a flea infestation, especially when it happens to your camper. It puts a dent in your plans, ones that you’ve probably had for a while. You can’t live alongside fleas unless you don’t mind the discomfort and risk of diseases. Knowing if your camper has fleas allows you to take steps towards treating it. Does your camper have fleas?
Signs of Infestation
1. Check you carpets
Adult fleas and eggs love hiding in carpets. It’s the first place to check. People and pets that move on the carpet both infect and get infected by the carpet. You can do a visual check on your carpets. Run your hands through it and try to find adult fleas, eggs, or flea dirt. You use a flashlight or magnifying glass to make it easier. Try paying attention to dark corners and under furniture.
2. Check your furniture
Cushions, couches, and other upholsteries improve the look and comfort of a camper, but they also provide hideouts for fleas. Use the same method you used on your carpets and be attentive to the cracks and edges. Check both the body of furniture and under it. You are looking for black or brown specks.
3. Check your bed
Fleas hide in bed and beddings where they feed on you while asleep or relaxing. They leave red welts on your skin. You can perform a simple visual check or inspect the bed outdoors. Remove all blankets, sheets, or beddings then inspect them separately.
4. Check dark corners.
Fleas hide from the light, and the cramped space in a camper has various dark corners. Check these corners carefully. You might need to move most furniture.
More Signs
1. Check for flea dirt
Flea droppings are one of the major hints of infestation. They look like black pepper, but you can confirm if the specks are flea dirt by spraying water on it. Flea dirt becomes red when sprayed with water because of the digested blood in it. It is easier to spot flea dirt if the interior of your camper hasn’t been disturbed in a while.
2. Use heat test
Heat attracts fleas, so place a lamp on the floor. Place on the carpet or near a place you suspect the fleas are hiding. Turn on the lamp and place a bowl of soapy water beneath it. Fleas will try to jump up to the lamp, and they will fall into the soapy water, and die.
3. Use the sock test
Wear a pair of white socks long enough to reach your knees. Then walk around the camper, especially on the carpet or sit on the bed or furniture, and nearby fleas will hop on your sock-clad legs. The fleas are attracted to your body heat and the likelihood of hiding in the socks.
Treatment
The next step is treatment if you discover that your camper has fleas. If you have a pet and it has been in your camper, then it likely brought the fleas. You have to treat the camper, your pet, and your house. Consult a vet for help, but you can use borax to treat your camper and house.