Fleas are most active during the Spring, Summer and early Fall seasons, however, during the winter months, fleas do not die once inside your home, they only slow down and/or go dormant just to return back in the early Spring once the weather beings to warm. Like so many pests, fleas prefer humidity (ideal is 75% humidity level or higher) and thrive in temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, flea populations can grow very quickly with one female flea able to lay up to 35-50 eggs per day (half of which will hatch to be additional female fleas), which usually fall from your pet to the carpet and floor. *Note: Doing the math, in a month’s period based on 40 eggs per day… there will be approximately 1,200 eggs PER each female flea per month. So, Yikes, if only 10 female fleas = there could be 12,000 eggs in just a month.*
It is essential that the cycle of the flea inside the home be broken to achieve elimination. The life of a flea has four stages. It begins as an egg, larva/larvae, to pupa/pupae and then to the adult unfed and fed flea. This entire life cycle process can range from just a couple of weeks to several months to complete. To help understand flea control, it is helpful to first understand the flea life stages. Eggs are laid in a pets fur from the adult fleas brought in from the outside, off of homeowners clothing, from other animals, from kennels, etc. Eggs drop easily for incubation from the pet’s fur to the floors/carpets, beds, furniture, counters, and anywhere that your pet goes. The eggs hatch into larvae that eat flea dirt left from your pet during scratching and grooming to survive. The larva molts, spins a cocoon and pupates. The pupae are especially protected within the carpets and cracks in hardwood floors of homes and can remain dormant until the conditions are ideal. The unfed flea is able to live for months without a host, however, once it locates a host (your unsuspecting pet taking an afternoon nap), it will not voluntarily leave that host. The fed female flea life consists of feeding off the host, laying eggs, feeding, laying eggs, and so on.
Fleas may prove difficult to eliminate particularly with many do-it- yourself methods. To thoroughly eliminate fleas, all of the stages of flea must be broken including the protective egg and pupae stages. If any stage of the flea remains, the eggs will hatch, the larva and pupa will continue to develop into the adult flea and the flea cycle and infestation will begin again.
Key to getting rid of fleas also includes a vet approved treatment of the pet. Both the environmental/home and the pet treatments should be done simultaneously. The vet approved treatment plan for all pets must then be maintained and continued to avoid a future flea re-infestation.
The return and re-occurrence of flea activity is common within a home due to outside animals being re-infested by the flea. Fleas are found outside and often come from animals such as squirrels or feral animals around the home. Due to this, exterior treatments may also be necessary to prevent flea re-population and keep them from re-entering the home. It is recommended to check pets often for flea activity.
Integrity Pest Solutions can offer you and your pet piece of mind. Our warrantied
Flea Services are designed to break the flea cycle and include one follow up flea treatment after 10 days, if needed, in order to ensure that the fleas are eliminated and that your pet is living carefree and flea-free. Flea treatments include a warranty based on following the flea service recommendations.
*Note: In the case of a flea service and in order to disrupt the life cycle of the flea, the cooperation of homeowner is essential for treatment success and is an integral part of the flea service recommendations and warranty*
TIPS: Vacuum your home often & dispose of bag or contents from vacuum cleaner outside of the home. Eggs, larvae & pupae can be reduced by vacuuming on a regular basis.
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