Premises Treatment for Flea

Ridding a home of fleas can be a frustrating and costly endeavor. Unlike some pests encountered around the home, fleas cause discomfort and irritation to both pets and people.

Let's say that we have Spot in tip-top shape now. Are we done? NO!  You MUST treat your home along with your pet. Remember, through exponential growth, if he dropped just one flea it could turn into an infestation. So what do we do about Spot's bedding? What about the carpeting? The furniture? Many items are available. You will need to use a combination of two things; an adulticide along with an insect growth inhibitor.

An adulticide does just as its name implies. It kills off the adult through poisoning. The inhibitor interrupts the developmental stages of the cycle rendering the pest unable to reproduce.

1. Foggers: These are the "bombs" you find at your local pet or discount department stores. They are somewhat effective, but unfortunately they miss the important areas. They usually do not reach the areas under your furniture and since they are commonly set off in the center of a room they miss the outlying areas. These also require you and your pet to leave your home during fogging.

2.  Sprays: Best for in-home use. These can be directly sprayed onto areas where you know there is a problem. They can be deliberately sprayed under furniture and beneath couch pillows, on pet beds, into floor cracks, behind curtains, etc.  Read package directions carefully. Remember to keep pets and humans off sprayed areas until dry.

3.  Powders/Dusts: Some flea powders can be sprinkled into your carpets or pet bedding. Powders help fight the development of pupae into adults, thus rendering an end to the lifecycle of the flea. Follow package directions carefully. Ask your local pet store what brands they recommend.  

If the pet spends time indoors, the interior of the home should also be treated. Before treatment, the pet owner should:

1. Remove all toys, clothing, and stored items from floors, under beds, and in closets. This step is essential so that all areas will be accessible for treatment.
2. Remove pet food and water dishes, cover fish tanks, and disconnect their aerators.
3. Wash, dry-clean or destroy all pet bedding.
4. Vacuum! -- vacuuming removes many of the eggs, larvae and pupae developing within the home. Vacuuming also stimulates pre-adult fleas to emerge sooner from their insecticide-resistant cocoons, thus hastening their contact with insecticide residues in the carpet. By raising the nap of the carpet, vacuuming improves the insecticide's penetration down to the base of the carpet fibers where the developing fleas live. Vacuum thoroughly, especially in areas where pets rest or sleep. Don't forget to vacuum along edges of rooms and beneath furniture, cushions, beds, and throw rugs. After vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag in a garbage bag and discard it in an outdoor trash container.

For more control tips, check out the links below: