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~ Quick Jump Links ~
Life Cycle -
Before
Treatment - After Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
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Life Cycle
(fleas can go from egg to adult in
as little as 3 weeks in the warmer
months) |
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Egg
The size of a grain of sand, the
egg is not sticky, so it rolls off
animal fur onto your floors and
furniture. It hatches in 2 to
5 days. The young female flea
produces 20 to 30 eggs a day-the
equivalent of producing her body
weight every day in eggs. |
Larva
The larva does not like sunlight and moves deep
into carpets and furniture and hides under grass,
branches and leaves. It feeds on organic
debris, including feces from adult fleas which
contain partially digested blood. In 7 to 10
days, the mature larva spins a silk-like cocoon.
Pupa
"Whitish" in color and about 1/4" long, the
cocoon is sticky. It quickly becomes coated
with dirt, dust, lint, and other materials which
camouflage it in carpets, under furniture, and on
animal bedding. Because of its protective
covering, it is not vulnerable to treatment.
The pupa stage lasts 12 days on the average.
Adult
Within 24 hours, a newly emerged adult begins
looking for an animal host. With strong back
legs, it may jump as high as 3 feet. Once it
finds a host, it begins feeding on blood within
seconds. The female flea's body weight
increases 30% within the first hour, and her weight
doubles within 36 hours. A heavy flea
infestation may cause anemia in your animals.
Since they depend on an almost constant blood
supply, they will not live more than 10 to 15 days
off the animal. However, before they have their
first blood meal, an adult flea can live up to 3
months at 75% humidity without feeding .
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Before
Treatment |
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What we recommend you do... |
....And why... |
1.
Vacuum all carpets, rugs, floors and furniture,
especially between and under cushions. Put
vacuum bag in plastic and dispose of outside the
home.
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Remove
some eggs, larvae and pupae. Reduces the
larvae's organic food sources. Vibration
encourages more pupae to hatch into adults,
which are killed during treatment. |
2. Wet mop
non-carpeted areas, especially along walls and
in corners.
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Again, removes
eggs, larvae, pupae and organic debris.
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| 3. Clear all
floors, including closets. |
Larvae hide
underneath almost anything. Clearing
floors allows for thorough treatment. |
| 4. Replace or clean
pet bedding; dispose of in plastic bag in the
garbage. |
Bedding is usually
full of eggs and larvae. |
| 5. On day of
treatment, have cats and dogs treated for fleas
professionally or treat them yourself with
Petcor. (What is Petcor?) |
It is important to
break the life cycle of the flea--all fleas must
be removed from the pet before being allowed
back in to the treated area. |
| 6. Vacate your home
for at least 3 hours after treatment. This
includes all family members and pets. (Fish
aquariums may remain if properly covered and the
filters are turned off.) |
Be assured that the
pesticides and growth regulators used are tested
and approved for the areas treated. The
label on these products say you must leave until
dry. This is for your safety and comfort. |
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After
Treatment |
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What we recommend you do... |
....And why... |
1.
Vacuum at least 4 times within 2 weeks.
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Vibration encourages pupae to emerge into adults
and contact insecticide. |
2. Talk to your Vet
about single dose once a month products for long
term flea control (example: Advantage® and/or
Program®)
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Fleas must have a
host. Controlling fleas on your pet is a
key to eliminating fleas in your home.
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FAQ |
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What will the Pest Fog technician do to treat
my home for fleas? An insecticide spray
will be applied to infested and potentially
infested areas. These areas could include
carpets, rugs, tile, furniture, under furniture
cushions, and places where pets are known to
rest. Treatment includes insecticides that
immediately kill adults and larvae, and growth
regulators which prevent the eggs and larvae
from developing into adult fleas.
Will all fleas immediately die after
treatment?
You may see a few fleas for approximately 15
days. These are newly hatched adults and
will be controlled by the residual effect of the
pesticide used. You can keep new fleas
from entering your house be using Petcor on your
pets regularly. If you see fleas after 15
days please call for a retreatment.
Should your yard be treated?
If your pet only goes outside for a short
time to do its "business" your lawn probably
does not need to be treated. Your flea
problem is in your house and can be handled by
Pest Fog treating your home and you treating
your pet with Petcor. We can spray your
yard if necessary. Please call for
pricing.
How can you keep fleas from returning?
Periodic professional flea dipping and Petcor
will help protect your pets and your home.
Regular vacuuming and cleaning of floors will
also help reduce the flea population.
Vacuum bags can become a reservoir for fleas, so
replace them regularly. |
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