Safe and Sensible Pest Control

FLEAS

The most common and annoying species of flea is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). It attacks dogs as well as cats and causes most cases of flea allergy in dogs, cats and people. With sanitation measures and the new products now on the market, you can do a good job of controlling fleas without toxic, residual pesticides. It is important to keep in mind that adult fleas live on the pet, whereas immature fleas live on the dried blood in the pet's bed. Their life cycle takes about 6 weeks in good conditions, but fleas can remain dormant up to a year waiting for the presence of people or animals to stimulate them to activity.

Flea control around the house:

• Keep pets out of, or off of, hard to treat areas.
• Don't allow pets to roam and pick up fleas from other animals.
• Vacuum the house frequently and thoroughly. Dispose of vacuum cleaner bags after vacuuming.
• Wash pet bedding in hot, soapy water every 2-3 weeks during flea season.
• Spray pet beds, carpets and floors throughout the house. To control immature fleas, use products containing methoprene (also called PrecorÔ). This is an insect growth hormone with a long lasting effect (3 to 7 months) on immature fleas. To control adult fleas, use products containing pyrethrins. These are short-lived, fast-acting compounds from pyrethrum daisies that have a quick effect on adult fleas. Some product contain both ingredients. Use all products only as directed on the label.
• Treat the pet's resting places in the yard with products containing pyrethrins, methoprene, or diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide), a fine, white, non-toxic dust that kill fleas by causing them to dehydrate.
• If pets travel in the car, treat car seats and carpets (as above) or leave the car in the hot sun for a day with the windows closed to "fry" the fleas.

Flea control on the pet:

1. Wash dogs with flea shampoos containing pyrethrins at weekly to monthly intervals; on cats use only products that state they are safe for cats. Shampoos do not have residual effects, therefore, flea-allergic dogs may need a bath daily in flea season (consult your veterinarian).
2. Spray pets weekly with a pyrethrins product registered for this use. Spray thoroughly and work well into coat. Wear rubber gloves and cover the animal's eyes with your hand when spraying around it's head.
3. Daily to weekly combing with a fine-toothed flea comb will remove adult fleas from cats and long-haired dogs that are awkward to wash. Drop fleas caught in the comb into soapy water to kill them.

For severe infestations: Shampoo or steam clean carpets and shampoo upholstered furniture where pets have been sitting. Vacuum and/or scrub floors thoroughly, treat pets (as above) and wash their bedding. Spray the house with products formulated for that purpose containing methoprene and pyrethrins. Treat all areas in the yard or outbuildings where pets rest. Continue stringent control measures for adult fleas on the pets (combing, sprays, bathing) for several more weeks to eliminate adult fleas. After such a thorough campaign, routine santitation measures, including treatment with methoprene sprays every 6 months, should prevent further severe outbreaks.

NOTE: Do not buy ultrasonic devices to repel fleas--there is no scientific basis for claims made for such devices against insects.

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