Fleas are commonly found in homes and lawns throughout the spring, summer and fall months naturally attacking pets and humans. The wingless, blood-feeding adults are brown to black with flattened bodies less than 1/8" long. Their hind legs are adapted for jumping. The worm-like larvae are not blood-feeders but feed on organic refuse on floors, in pet bedding and outdoors in pens used by pets. Fleas can complete their development even with the absence of a host. Persons or pets entering an infested home that has been unoccupied for a period of time are usually attacked immediately by the hungry, young adults. Control begins with treatment to all infested areas with a residual pesticide that includes a growth regulator inside the home and a complete lawn treatment outside. Generally, lawn treatments done early enough in the season are enough as long as control continues on the inside of the home. The pet should be treated regularly either with powders, sprays or a treatment recommended by your vet. While "dips" are effective for overall treatment at once, maintaining a constant control on the pet is best.
Regular vacuuming of floors, furniture pets frequent, and baseboard and crevice areas are essential. Add moth balls or crystals to your vacuumn bag to eliminate possible continued breeding in the bag.
