There is nothing quite like the joy that a pet can provide for you and your family. Roughly 85 million families have at least one pet, which is nearly 70% of U.S. households. What isn’t as much fun is dealing with fleas, and they are one of the most frustrating insects to deal with. Not only do they have a four-stage life cycle to contend with, but it is flexible in its duration, making flea control a complex issue.
Flea control has to consider what will eradicate each stage of life – egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This is no easy feat because if you miss even a few procreating adults, the infestation starts all over again. It isn’t enough to just treat your pets, as the eggs and pupae are hiding in the most surprising areas in your home, or even your vehicle if you take pets along for the ride with you from time to time.
It would be great if you could utilize flea control on a set schedule and call it a day, but fleas have the ability to change their life cycle to wait for optimal conditions. Pupae, for example, can stay in their cocoons for as long as a year and then survive a couple of weeks before needing to eat. So, just when you thought you had the fleas under control . . . bam! They’re back, and the females are laying 20 to 50 eggs a day, putting you right back where you started.
Even if you and your pets could stand the biting onslaught, it is important to know that fleas can transmit diseases and parasites that endanger you and your pets.
If you have tried and failed, the best thing to do is call an exterminator. Here at Pest & Termite Consultants, we can assess the situation and provide a plan for flea control so you can reclaim your home. Depending on the infestation, it can take many weeks or even months to completely remove the fleas, so we recommend being proactive with flea control to avoid a major infestation in the first place. Contact us today with any questions you may have.