Flea Treatment
Additional Information
To effectively treat fleas, we apply insecticide indoors and outdoors in selected areas. Before treatment, ensure that no people or pets are on the premises and wait until all spray residues have dried. We treat all possible flea harborage areas including carpeting, other floor areas, pet resting areas, and upholstered furniture. We spray the areas where inspection and pet habits indicate flea presence. Keep in mind that the spray liquid must penetrate into the nap of carpets or into the many cracks and crevices where flea larvae and adults hide. Recent research has shown that control of flea pupae is greater when low spray pressures are used, which appears to allow the spray residue (when applied at the labeled rates of concentration and volume per unit area) to wet down into the nap of the carpet rather than to bounce off, as it does when sprayed at higher pressure.
Dog owners know that their pets shake themselves after waking up from sleep, causing flea eggs in their fur to fly in all directions and often land behind furniture or walls. Fleas tend to concentrate in areas where pets lounge and travel indoors, such as under or behind furniture or in remote areas of the home. Research has shown that all stages of the flea life cycle are concentrated in these areas because they receive a fallout of fecal droppings from adult fleas feeding on pets. While flea infestations tend to be concentrated in certain areas, they can be scattered throughout homes.
Formulations of permethrin and other pyrethroids are available for residual use indoors. Some product labels may not allow general or broadcast applications for flea control indoors, but rather direct the applicator to treat only spots where fleas are most prevalent. Use of these residual insecticides is often followed by use of ultra low-volume (ULV) or aerosol applications of non-residual synergized pyrethrins or pyrethroids. These are intended to give rapid knockdown of all adult fleas present. In addition, methoprene or pyriproxyfen is often combined with the residual or non-residual insecticide applications to give an added dimension of long-term control (120 days or more) of immature flea life stages. These IGRs affect flea larvae, causing them to die during molting or by developmental failure in the pupal stage. IGRs generally stop production of adult fleas within the home, but are not active on pupae existing at the time of treatment. Therefore, some adults are likely to emerge for up to three weeks after treatment. They must be controlled by effective residues of a conventional residual insecticide or via repeated applications of non-residual insecticides. We're especially certain to treat areas where pets spend a lot of time lounging and where they prefer to travel.
For outdoor areas that require treatment, formulations of residual insecticides labeled for outdoor is sprayed on perimeter areas of the home and yard that are partially or fully shaded, especially in or around any kennels or other pet runs. Unshaded areas of the yard that are often hot and dry during the daytimes are less likely to have dog/ cat fleas present or capable of surviving and contributing to the infestation. Keep in mind that cats will often move up into vines or onto ledges on the sides of homes or on the roof.
Follow-up inspections and treatments will be explained in advance. Single treatment programs will generally have lower cost to the customer and usually result in less pesticide use in and around the home. However, these programs may sometimes result in callbacks for retreatment. We are always thorough to ensure both parties are happy.