Fleas are a parasite and must have blood in order to reproduce. All fleas pass through four stages: the egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. The eggs are laid on the host animal and then fall onto the premises where they hatch into maggot-like larva. After approximately 2 weeks, these larva will develop into a pupa, or cocoon, where they remain until they emerge as an adult flea. Fleas development inside the house commonly takes place on and under rugs, in floor cracks and crevices, on and around furniture and pet resting areas. Almost all flea infestations can be attributed to pets.

Fleas are pests of humans and their domestic animals all over the world. Fleas in and around the home are usually linked with a person's dog or cat. The hopping, brown, laterally flattened flea is easily recognized. The same flea that feeds on a dog or cat will also bite people, piercing the skin, sucking blood, and leaving a red, itching "spot". The initial bite of the flea is usually painless, but the area will become irritated and itch with in a few hours. Female fleas, after feeding on blood, lay eggs which hatch into small, white, active, wormlike stage which grows to about 1/16 inch long. Under ideal conditions the egg stage lasts approximately 10 days, the larval stage 10-14 days, and the pupa from 7-14 days. When fully grown, this worm-like stage changes into a less active pupa phase in a silken cocoon in which small pieces of debris material are encrusted. Inside the cocoon they develop through the pupa stage to become adult fleas. These un-hatched adults wait in the cocoon for a signal that a potential host is nearby. Once a host becomes available, the flea immediately hatches out of the cocoon and springs onto the unsuspecting host for a blood meal.

Control: It is necessary that certain steps are taken to achieve effective flea control. All good control programs include: 1) vacuuming and cleaning of the interior portion of the home 2) treatment of pet (oral and/or topical recommended by veterinarian) 3) treatment of interior of home (garage included) and 4) treatment of outdoors (most likely where you or your pet picked them up). 

What are fleas?

   Fleas are a parasite and must have blood in order to reproduce.

   All fleas pass through four stages: the egg, larvae, pupa, and adult.

   The eggs are laid on the host animal and then fall onto the premises where they hatch into maggot-like larva.

   After approximately 2 weeks, these larva will develop into a pupa, or cocoon, where they remain until they emerge as an adult flea.

   Fleas development inside the house commonly takes place on and under rugs, in floor cracks and crevices, on and around furniture and pet resting areas.

   Almost all flea infestations can be attributed to pets. If you have no pets but still have fleas, go to the raccoon and squirrel page.

How do you treat for fleas?

   It is necessary that certain steps are taken to achieve effective flea control.

   All good control programs include:

1. Vacuuming and cleaning of the interior portion of the home
2. Treatment of pet (oral and/or topical recommended by veterinarian)
3. Treatment of interior of home (garage included) and
4. Treatment of outdoors (most likely where you or your pet picked them up). 

What product do you use? 

We use a combination of natural pyrethrins and IGR’s.

What are pyrethrins?

   Pyrethrins are an extract of the pyrethrum daisy Chrysanthemum cinaeriofolium. (Chrysanthemum flowers)

   They are the most widely used botanical insecticide.

   They are the active ingredient of many household sprays and home vegetable-garden preparations.  They are also used in flea dips for puppies and kittens.

What is a IGR?

   Insect Growth Regulators (IGR's).  It works by disrupting the growth and development processes specific to insects.

   It causes sterilization of adult insects.

   The active ingredient is Hydroprene.

   The IGR we use on carpets is called NYLAR CARPET SPRAY, which contain Linalool

   (Linalool is found in lavender flowers and is one of the constituents of lavender oil)

   It also contains Permethrin (permethrin is a synthetic pyrethin)

Does it smell?

There is a slight odor during the drying process and the carpet is slightly damp for an hour or so, hence the need to vacate for 2 hours.

What needs to be done to prepare?

   Remove all small items from carpet such as clothes, shoes, magazines, toys, pet dishes, ect.

   Vacuum thoroughly and dispose of paper bag. Vacuuming is an important step in illuminating fleas.  You should start vacuuming frequently a few days after treatment.

   Plan to be gone 2 hours.

You do not need to; cover dishes since we do not set off foggers.

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Revised: 06/25/10. Home