Cat Flea

Recognition

• Approx 1/8" long.
• Laterally flattened bodies.
• Color is brownish black to black, but reddish black when full of blood.

Biology

• The flea life cycle is Egg, Larvae, Pupae, Adult.
• Females lay 4-8 eggs after each blood meal, laying some 400-500 during their lifetime.
• Eggs are deposited on or between hairs, or in the nest or bedding material.
• Eggs deposited on the animal either fall or are shaken off and are found in cracks and crevices where pets sleep or frequent.
• Eggs are oval, whitish, and about 1/64" long.
• Eggs usually hatch in 1-12 days.
• Once hatched larvae require relatively high humidity and 1-2 weeks up to several months to reach the pupal stage.
• Pupal stage typically lasts 4-14 days but can be up to a year under harsh conditions.
• Once in the Pupal stage pre-emerged adult fleas remain in a cocoon where they are protected form adverse conditions including pesticides.
• Pupating fleas do not emerge in an unoccupied home.
• Emergence is triggered by a potential host entering the room.
• CO2, body heat, footstep vibration, and footstep pressure are among the triggers.
• This is why many people discover fleas upon their return from vacation or other extended absences.

FLEA Q&A:

• Q: When should I clean my carpet?
• A: Within reasonable limits, cleanliness of the carpet has little impact on flea control. However, to the extent that carpet cleaning eliminates carpet matting and gets the fibers to stand up straight, penetration can be improved. If you want to clean your carpet, is should be done prior to our application, or after you are satisfied that the fleas have been eradicated. Carpet cleaning removes our material.
• Q: Should I turn off my air conditioner while you treat my home?
• A: Leave it turned on. It will reduce humidity in your home and shorten dry time.
• Q: Vacuum cleaner bags are expensive. Is it really necessary that I dispose of the bag after each vacuuming?
• A: As an alternate to discarding the vacuum cleaner bag after each vacuuming, it can be placed in a black trash bag and left in direct sunlight. The heat will kill fleas.
• Q: Why do I have to vacuum more often following a flea treatment?
• A: Vacuuming helps to physically remove some flea pupae, thereby reducing the number of newly-emerged adult fleas you will see following treatment. In addition, it can help to expedite emergence of adult fleas, thereby shortening the length of time you continue to see fleas.
• Q: Someone told me the fleas should be gone in just a few days.
• A: Some uninformed "professionals" frequently tell clients that fleas can be eradicated in just a few days. While it may happen on occasion, it certainly is not the norm. No flea control products currently available will penetrate the pupae. Therefore, pupating fleas will not be affected until they emerge as adults.
• Q: Someone told me that one application won’t be enough.
• A: Some uninformed "professionals" tell clients that multiple applications are required for flea control. This was true prior to the development of "insect growth regulators" (IGRs) in the early 1990s. IGRs break the development cycle of fleas enabling us to achieve control in just one application.

Proper preparation is essential to complete flea elimination. Please follow these guidelines: 

• Vacuum thoroughly before the Technician arrives and dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in an outdoor receptacle. 
• After the treatment please wait 24 hours before vacuuming again.
• The treatment includes all floor coverings and upholstered furniture. Please make these areas as accessible as possible.
• Wash pet bedding and throw rugs in the hottest water permitted by the fabric, and then put them back in their normal place so the Technician can treat them.
• No material will be applied to Human bedding. Therefore, we ask that you launder all bedding the same day your home is treated.
• For your safety, keep all pets and humans out of your home during treatment and until the application has dried completely.  A minimum of four (4) hours is recommended.
• After the treatment, it is very normal to see newly hatched fleas for up to 3 weeks. Please vacuum every 3 to 4 days during this 3 week period.
• We do not treat pets. If you have pets, treat them with an appropriate product.