Fleas in Abundance this Spring and Summer

For some reason this spring and summer we have seen rapid increases in flea populations.

            Fleas tend to be more of an itching nuisance than a threat to human health, primarily because the worst diseases they carried have been eradicated.

            The chief sources of flea infestation in the home are family pets, but once indoors fleas thrive in floor cracks, carpets, upholstered furniture, and pet bedding.  Fleas, of course, are also abundant outside; larvae burrow into the top surface of the soil.

            If flea problems are occurring in the house, the yard, and on the pets, all three must be treated at the same time.

            Use only approved products for treating animals.  Dusts are acceptable because they are generally effective longer.  However, the newer products, such as Frontline and Advantage, contain an insect growth regulator that can reduce subsequent egg and larval production and can be applied directly to the animal.

            Outdoors, treat areas that pets frequent.  Use only approved products to thoroughly cover and saturate soil and grass areas.  Make sure that application equipment is carefully calibrated to measure dosages exactly.

            In the house, thoroughly vacuum or sweep carpets, rugs, furniture, cracks, and crevices.  Be sure to reach under furniture and along baseboards. Discard the vacuum bag afterwards.

            Use a coarse spray (large droplets) in treating likely infested areas.  It is always more effective to treat all carpets, furniture, and baseboards at one time.  After spraying, use total-release aerosol applications to reduce adult fleas.

            Because flea pupae are hard to kill with insecticides, an additional follow-up treatment is usually needed 7 to 10 days after the first application.  When using short-residual insecticides such as pyrethrins, two or three follow-up sprays at 5 to 10 day intervals may be required.

            Don’t wait until fleas get out of hand.  Begin your flea control program early for best results.  Start a thorough sanitation program, regularly inspect pets for fleas, and follow label directions on all pesticide containers.

            The table below lists some common flea control products.  For more information come by the Extension office and pick up a publication entitled CONTROLLING FLEAS.

Table 1.  Common, effective household insecticides for control of fleas.

Active ingredient (trade name)*	Formulation	Area of use
carbaryl (Sevin) d-limonene (Demize) diatomaceous earth malathion methoprene(Precor, Ovitrol, Petcor,vIGRen) propoxur (Baygon) pyrethrins pyriproxifen(Archer, Nylar, BioSpot)	spray, dust spray dust spray, dust spray, wipe-on, collar spray, dip, collar spray, shampoo, dip spray, shampoo, dip, spot-on	outdoor, pet treatment indoor, pet treatment pet bedding outdoor IGR indoor, pet treatment outdoor, indoor, pet treatment indoor, pet treatment IGR outdoor, indoor, pet treatment
Imidacloprid (Advantage)	drop on	pet treatment
Fipronil (Frontline)	drop on	pet treatment
Permethrin	spray	indoor/outdoor and pet treatment

*Trade names are registered® or trade marked™.