Eliminex Pest Control Inc.

Flea Control Information

When it comes to flea control we recommend you use the services of a licensed professional pest control company. Even though there are many over-the-counter products available for do-it-yourself flea control, we do not recommend it. Flea control usually requires pesticides to be applied in many sensitive areas of your home and should be done by a certified pest control applicator. Why not eliminate fleas professionally and call Eliminex Pest Control Inc. for a free estimate regarding your flea control needs. All applications are backed by our 100% guaranteed!

Appearance: Cat and dog fleas can be found in the same areas. They are very similar in appearance. They are small, 1/8-inch long, wingless, laterally flattened, and have piercing-sucking mouthparts. The flea has very well-developed legs allowing it to jump at least six inches straight up. They are black-to-reddish brown. Its body is covered with backward projecting spines which help it to move between the hairs on the host animal. The head of the female cat flea is twice as long as it is high; the head of the female dog flea is less than twice as long as it is high. Both cat and dog fleas have a row of very heavy spines on the front of the head and the back part of the first body segment . Cat and dog flea larvae are 1/4-inch long when fully developed. They look much like fly maggots except for their well-developed heads. They have 13 body segments and are dirty-white in color with backward projecting hairs on each body segment. They have a pair of hook-like appendages on the last abdominal segment.

Life Cycle: Cat and dog fleas undergo complete metamorphosis. After each blood meal, females lay four to eight eggs at a time (but 400 to 800 total within her lifetime) on the host animal and/or in its bedding. The eggs fall into the nest and/or bedding of the host animal or wherever the animal happens to be at that time. The eggs hatch in about 10 days and the developing larvae feed on the adult flea feces which contain bits of dried blood. They molt three times from seven days to several months depending on temperature. When mature, the larvae spin silken cocoons in which they pupate. The pupal stage lasts up to 20 weeks. The adult cat flea often stays within the cocoon until vibrations stimulate it to emerge. Development (egg to adult) requires from 16 days to a year or more.

Activity: Adult fleas feed on blood with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. They typically seek a blood meal within two days of becoming an adult. Cat and dog fleas prefer these two animals but readily feed on other animals, e.g., raccoons, opossums, rats, and humans. Adult fleas remain on the host animal throughout their lifetime but are occasionally knocked off the animal by scratching. Occasionally, they can be found in the pet bedding and resting areas. Wild animals nesting in structures can initiate indoor flea populations. Larvae typically are found in areas where pets spend most of their time as well as in animal nesting areas. Effective flea control requires customer cooperation and involves three major steps: sanitation, insecticide application and on-animal flea control. The house should be thoroughly vacuumed to remove larvae, pupae, and food materials. The vacuum cleaner bag should be sealed and discarded immediately after vacuuming. Vacuuming lifts the carpet fibers removing debris which allows the pesticide to penetrate to the base of the carpet where the flea larvae are found. Pet bedding should be discarded or washed in hot, soapy water.

Control: Indoor application of a residual insecticide in combination with an insect growth regulator, which blocks development of the flea larvae, should be applied to carpeted areas, furniture where pets reside, and cracks and crevices on hard floors. Humans and pets should remain out of the treated area until all surfaces have dried and the area has been ventilated. Outdoor areas which are frequented by the pet should be treated at the same time that the house is treated using microencapsulated or wettable powder formulations. These products should be applied either as a spot treatment to areas frequented by the animal or as a broadcast treatment.

The pet should be treated by a veterinarian, pet groomer, or the owner on the same day on which the house is treated. Numerous products are available for on-animal flea control, e.g., pills containing an insect growth regulator, spot-on adulticides, flea collars, on-animal insect growth regulators, soaps, dips, etc. Regardless of the treatment, adult fleas must be eliminated from the animal in order for treatment to be effective.