I don’t have a dog and I don’t want one. I live in a neighborhood where there is a lot of dogs. This past winter, the little dogs got cold so I let them in my house, which was no problem. When the weather got warm, I let the little dogs in my house again — and that was a big mistake. Now I have fleas that I can’t get rid of. I don’t let the dogs in anymore. I suspect there are others who would like some information about this. Can you help?

Fleas aren’t an unusual house guest when there are animals around — but they’re not exactly welcome, either.

These pests like humidity and warmth, and they easily jump from pets to land on flooring, furniture, humans and anything with a pulse.

Carpets and beds are the most popular spots in which they land because those are warm hosts.

Bob Vila, the original host of “This Old House,” writes a home advice blog that has tackled this subject.

He writes the first step is to vacuum your carpet often and thoroughly.

“Use a hose attachment and crevice tool to get near baseboards and all of the hidden carpet between or underneath furniture,” Villa writes. “If pets like to snuggle down behind the couch, make sure to vacuum there, too. Don’t forget rugs, pet bedding, or pet furniture, especially if it’s on the floor.”

The next step is to steam clean upholstery.

“The vibrations of the vacuum may be enough to make the fleas reveal themselves,” Villa writes. “However, to be thorough, use a steam cleaner to clean deeply into the fabric and cushions. Once you’ve gotten rid of the fleas, regularly vacuum the upholstery to prevent future outbreaks.”

Villa advises to remove the vacuum cleaner back after its use — or if you have a bagless one, empty the contents after each use.

“Do not leave the bag in the vacuum or leave the sealed bag inside the house,” Villa warns. “Those pesky fleas can travel back through the vacuum’s system and onto pets, people and carpeting.”

Next, apply a spray treatment to the carpet to remove any stubborn fleas and prevent future infestations.

“With consistency, fleas won’t stand a chance,” Villa said.

Exoskeleton

I am wondering about a picture of a cicada bug that the American Press ran in its Aug. 5 edition. What does the bug turn into after coming out of his skeleton? I see these empty bug shells often stuck to something. (I thought something had sucked it dry.)

Molts are the old exoskeletons of insects, including cicadas. It’s a hard outer covering that helps support and protect the bug.

“Molts are the insect ‘skin’ that cicadas shed or leave behind when they become adults,” Nancy Troyano, a board-certified entomologist and director of operations education and training for Ehrlich Pest Control, told House Beautiful magazine.

Cicadas emerge from underground as nymphs, which is a juvenile stage in their life cycle, Troyano said.

“Beneath their skin, they are growing their wings and their adult body,” she said. “Insects do not stretch to enlarge, they actually grow a new exoskeleton beneath their current one.”

Because the exoskeleton is hard, it prevents insects from growing so they must molt the skin to continue to develop.

When the time comes to officially transition into adults, the cicadas will molt and shed their nymph skin. Then, their new adult body and wings will be exposed. “The wings will inflate with fluid and expand, and their new skin will harden, which typically takes several days,” Troyano said.

Informer is written by Crystal Stevenson, American Press executive editor. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.