Flea Control
Fleas are parasites that feed on humans and other warm blooded animals. When you have a flea problem you and your pets serve as the host. Most of the time, fleas prefer nonhuman source for feeding, but if infestations are heavy, or when other hosts are not available, fleas will feed on humans. Fleas usually require warm and humid conditions to develop. A flea can jump 7 to 8 inches vertically and 14 to 16 inches horizontally with their long and powerful legs.
A skin reaction to a flea bite appears as a slightly raised and red itchy spot. Sometimes these sores bleed.
Life Cycle of Fleas
Due to the flea life cycle (complete metamorphosis) and feeding habits, many people don’t realize they have a flea problem until they are away from their house for an extended period. The flea problem is discovered, because the fleas get hungry while the hosts (you and your pets) are away. When you return, they become highly active because they are looking for food. People tend to think putting the pet outside will solve the flea problem, but that typically makes the fleas turn to human hosts instead. Adult fleas feed on blood and the larvae eat “flea diet” consisting of dried blood.
There are four distinct stages: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult. Flea eggs are laid on the host or are deposited on the floor or ground. These eggs do not remain attached to the host but fall to the ground such as pet’s bedding or floor surface. They are often found in upholstery or pet’s bedding.
Adult fleas will emerge within 7 to 14 days, longer under less favorable conditions. A female flea will continue to lay a few eggs every day until she has yielded up to 200 to 400 eggs.
Whenever you see adult fleas crawling on your pet, it is only a symptom of a much larger problem. Current studies indicate that adult fleas account for only 5% of the total flea population in any given situation. Eggs account for 50%, larvae account for about 35%, and the remaining 10% are the pupa cocoons. That means that for every single adult flea living on your dog or cat, there are ten eggs, seven larvae, and two cocoons.
Fleas on Your Pets
In the pet’s environment, these various life cycle stages occur, but concentrated in the areas that the pet spends most of its time, such as the pet’s bed area. Remember, when the adult flea lays an egg on the pet, it will fall off the hairs in just a few minutes onto areas the pet moves. These flea eggs become very small larvae (worm-like). The larvae seek protection deep in carpet fibers, under cushions, and cracks and crevices. After the larvae stage, they move into the cocoon stage with pupae inside, which may remain up to six weeks.
If the pet usually walks through certain paths (either indoors or outdoors), there will also be a substantial amount of eggs scattered in those areas; similar to sowing seeds in a garden. What this means is that environmental flea control must be spread over the pet’s entire environment, focusing on the areas the pet spends the majority of its time. The sleeping areas and walking paths are the most important areas both indoors and outdoors.
Recommended Flea Control Treatment
The best time to start a flea control program is in the late spring, prior to an infestation, since adult fleas comprise only 5% of the total flea population. To contain an active flea infestation, fleas must be controlled at every stage. If you had fleas in your yard last year, but have not seen them in awhile they became dormant in the winter outside in cold conditions. As soon as it starts getting warm they will emerge again.
Flea Control Treatment- Inside Home
Dust, sweep, vacuum, and mop all surfaces where pets have been frequently. Remove and discard your vacuum bag outside in the trash after you have sweep. Eggs can hatch and crawl out of the vacuum if you leave them in your vacuum. Eggs are laid on the pet and drop off as it moves. All affected pets should be treated and removed from the premises for 4 to 6 hours. Remove birds from the home if you are using liquid insecticides or aerosols. Cover or remove fish, and turn off the tank pump.
You should keep covered shoes on until all treated areas have dried (4-6 hours). We suggest using the spraying on area on all floor surfaces, paying attention to where your pet spends its time. If your pet is on the couch, treat it as well (after testing a small inconspicuous spot for staining). These are not treatments that you can do yourself, hire a professional. KC Pest Control would be more than happy to come out an give you an estimate. You can reach us by call (405) 679-8729.
Flea Control Treatment- Outside your Home
Your yard is a different story. You can go out to the local hardware store and purchase granular insecticide to put on your lawn, that will kill a whole host of insects. Just make sure fleas are listed on the label. Water your lawn after spreading. Be sure and follow the label as more insecticide is not better. One treatment should protect you lawn for the entire season.
