The battle between man and flea continues as South Texas residents and their pets face a new home-invading pest this summer. Fleas, which feed on the blood of domestic animals, wildlife, and humans, can quickly cause difficult infestations in homes, often spreading through eggs laid on pets and causing itchy, inflamed bites.
What to do if you suspect a flea infestation in your home:
Over the counter flea products are ineffective due to the flea life cycle. Consistent vacuuming, treatment with long-lasting insecticides, and prevention are the most effective methods to eliminate flea infestations. Pets with flea issues should use veterinarian-approved flea control products such as Frontline Plus. Pay attention to areas where pets rest, such as human and pet bedding, floors, furniture, dog houses, pet-perches, and areas under trees where flea eggs may be present. These areas should be vacuumed daily or laundered and kept maintained with flea control products.
When to call in a professional
Licensed pest control professionals should be called in when all attempts to vacuum and launder to break the flea reproductive cycle have failed. Over-the-counter flea products are regulated for consumer safety, but their effectiveness is limited. Liquid or aerosol flea treatments should be performed by professionals due to their expertise and knowledge.
What happens during a professional flea treatment?
During the treatment, occupants and pets will be asked to leave the home for a few hours. A residual flea control product will be applied with two components, an adulticide to kill adult fleas and developing fleas on contact, and an insect growth regulator to interrupt the reproductive life cycle by preventing larval fleas from developing into adults.
What to expect after treatment?
After a professional flea treatment, the number of adult fleas in the home will immediately decrease, but it's common to see more fleas within seven to fourteen days. These fleas were in the pre-adult or pupal stage during the initial treatment and have not yet been affected by the adulticide used. They should die within hours of coming into contact with the residual insecticide. Daily vacuuming can help eliminate individual fleas that emerge after the initial treatment.
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