Flea & Tick Treatment

Flea Treatment We Offer

Thorough interior chemical treatment using an adulticide and an insect growth regulator (IGR) is applied. Exterior power-spray treatments are available if needed to address an infestation in the lawn and landscaping. Adulticide materials kill larvae and adult stages while the IGR will prevent eggs and larvae stages from further development. Adulticide materials have a residual life of 4-5 weeks and the IGR’s 3 months once applied. Extensive interior preparation is required prior to treatment (see our Flea Prep Sheet).

What To Look For When Inspecting For Fleas

• Inspecting your pets goes a long way. look for small black insects crawling in their fur around neck, face, and belly
• Examine your skin for red bites popping up around your ankles, legs, behind your knees
• Look for dark droppings in pet hair, on their belly, on bedding and other areas where pets rest or spend time
• Walk around with white socks on and look for fleas “hitchhiking on yourself”

Flea Prevention Tips

• Treat your pets regularly with a product that your vet recommends 
• Regular vacuuming carpets, rugs, and also hitting the cracks and crevices (this very important for breaking the life cycle) 
• Washing your pets bedding regular basis 
• Treating your lawn on a regular basis. like any tall grass, bushes shrubs where they are breeding
• Keep your lawn and landscaping well maintained (it goes a long way) 

Where Do Fleas Come From?

• Any type of Wildlife that could enter your yard/home (squirrels, raccoons, ground hogs, opossums, rodents, etc.)
• Neighboring pets, friends and family that may have them at home could also bring them to your home
• Outside in your lawn in tall grass areas, shaded areas, etc.

Areas To Inspect For Fleas

• Pet bedding, cages, carpets, and resting areas such as: beds, furniture, rugs, etc.
• Areas where pets first enter your home, like back porches, breeze way, garage, etc.
• Inspect your pets thoroughly for in crawling insect like fleas, Ticks etc. 

Flea & Tick Control Outdoors

Fleas and ticks are two simple and easy insects to control and life cycles are a consideration with these seasonal pests. Conducive conditions, along with communication with your veterinarian, will help alleviate these pests. A simple liquid lawn, tree, shrubs, and brush application during the active pest season which is summer will control flea and tick populations. Feel free to speak with your pest control professional about these recurring pests. Feel free to contact our offices and we can get you a free estimate today! 

Flea Basic Biology

• Estimated 2,500 species of fleas in the world, 325 in the U.S. The most common is the Cat Flea
• Fleas are wingless, dark-reddish brown in color, about an 1/8 inch long, and oval in shape
• Can jump 7’ vertically and 13’ horizontally
• 4 stage life cycle: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. Under normal conditions it takes 3-6 weeks to go from egg to adult
• Adult fleas prefer to feed every 2-3 days and must feed before laying eggs
• Female fleas begin to produce eggs within 24-48 hours of its first blood meal
• Eggs are laid in batches of 20 and can be laid daily. Female fleas will lay eggs continuously until they die
• 1 female flea can lay up to 5,000 eggs in a lifetime
• Total flea infestation is comprised of 5% adults and 95% pre-adults
• Average life span of adult fleas is usually 4-6 weeks when a host is available
• Pre-adult fleas can live up to 1 year (adults 2-3 years) if a host is not available

Cat Flea

Fleas have a flattened body and are wingless. They are brownish to black in color, but reddish-black when filled with blood. Fleas can jump about 6” vertically. Their easily carried by pets, wild animals, or clothes.

Tick

The American dog tick is the most common tick found in the Miami Valley area. Their generally found on dogs but will attach them selves to humans. Body is usually oval an flat.