Flea Control

The effective control of fleas requires a coordinated effort between the customer, the pest control operator, and possibly the customer's physician and their pet's veterinarian. For the best chance of first-time success when having a flea treatment performed, and for the safety, comfort, and health of all concerned, the following should be observed:

 

• As soon as practical prior to treating the home for fleas, all carpeting, floors, upholstery, and mattresses should be thoroughly vacuumed. Use a clean vacuum cleaner bag to obtain the best suction, and dispose of the bag by sealing it tightly in a heavy plastic trash bag and placing it in a trash can outside the house. All sheets, blankets, and other bedding should be washed in detergent and the hottest water the fabrics can tolerate. Clothing, throw-rugs, and other textiles on or close to the floors should also be washed or dry-cleaned.

• Make sure that the floor, furnishings, and trim are as accessible as possible for the pest control technician.

• In all cases when a pet is present in the home, the pet should receive a flea treatment by a veteran arian or other qualified animal-health professional. This treatment should be performed at the same time that the customer's home is being treated. Your veterinarian may also wish to prescribe one of several long-term flea control medications to your pet.

• Family members who have been bitten by fleas and who experienced more than mild reactions should be seen by a doctor. If you have reason to believe that the fleas may have been infected with tapeworms (for example, if a pet dog or cat was found to be infected), then all family members should be examined by a physician to rule out tapeworm infection.

 

Professional Treatment for Fleas in a Home

There are several different options for flea treatment in homes, but the most common one is the application of a water-based, low-odor or odorless insecticide to the carpeting, flooring, and other likely areas where fleas may be harboring. Depending on the particular situation, this insecticide may include an adulticide (to kill adult fleas), an insect growth regulator (to disrupt the development of larval fleas), or both.

There are several products registered by the EPA for flea control, and new ones come on the market from time to time. The technician who services your home will gladly go over the product labels with you and answer whatever questions you may have about the products, the treatment itself, or any necessary follow-up actions.

It usually will be necessary for you to remain out of the home during the treatment, and for several hours afterwards (until the product is dry). Once again, your pest control technician will be happy to answer any questions about this or any other aspect of your pest control service.

 

The Importance of Calling a Professional Exterminator

Many professional exterminators consider flea control to be the single most challenging pest control job that they are called upon to perform. To be effective, a flea treatment has to be done thoroughly and methodically, and be guided by an in-depth knowledge of the insect and its habits and biology.

If professionals find flea control challenging, how much more so the average person? Don't take chances trying to do it yourself. In the Greater Boston area, call the professionals at Economy Pest Control.