Fleas depend on a blood meal from a host to survive, so most fleas are introduced into the home via pets or other mammal hosts. On some occasions, fleas may become an inside problem when the host they previously fed on is no longer around. Then fleas focus their feeding activity on other hosts that reside inside. The most effective ways to keep fleas from getting inside is to eliminate outdoor flea habitats and outdoor hosts, plus using area-wide flea control chemical products and veterinarian-approved flea control products on pets.
Since the immature stages of fleas are very cryptic by nature, the first thing the homeowner should do is contact their pest control professional for assistance. Most of the time simply using over-the-counter products for controlling fleas will not resolve the root causes of the infestation. Your pest management professional will conduct a thorough inspection and locate areas where the immature stages of the flea population are residing. After completing the inspection, the next step is preparing the flea management plan.
This plan will include:
- Identifying the flea species causing the problem.
- Educating the flea’s life cycle and how their habits, habitat and behavior affects the control plan.
- Inspecting for the presence of other animals that are the flea population’s source of food.
- Homeowner contacting their veterinarian for advice and purchase of flea control products that can be used on pets.
- Regular bathing and grooming of pets.
- Explaining the use of growth regulators that will interfere with the flea’s normal development into the adult stage.
- Using a strong vacuum to physically remove flea eggs, larvae, pupae and adults.
- Frequently washing and drying pet bedding.
- Treating affected areas by using safe and effective flea control products where immature fleas may be located.
- Finally scheduling a follow-up visit.