Fleas

Fleas can get into all areas of your home so we do a thorough crack and crevice treatment along with a broadcast spray inside the home.  The best treatment success comes when the homeowner prepares the home for treatment following our instructions (PDF Flea Control Strategies).

PREPARATION

Remove all toys and small items from the floors, all articles from closet floors, under beds, and under furniture so all areas can be vacuumed, including tile and hardwood floors.

Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture including under cushions of upholstered furniture.  Vacuum wood and tile floors and pay special attention to grooves and cracks.  Pay special attention to wall/floor junctures and all areas frequented by pets.  Seal vacuum bag in a plastic bag and dispose outside in a covered receptacle.  Be sure to clean thoroughly all areas frequented by cats, i.e. table tops, window sills, etc.

Clean basement and garage floors with soap and water if pet spends time in these areas.  Pay particular attention to wall/floor junctures.

Wash pet bedding and throw rugs to kill the fleas and their eggs.  Leave them off until after treatment.  Wash pet bedding weekly for several weeks- that is where most of the eggs fall off the pet.  Wash vinyl floors and carpets (if needed) before the treatment, and not for at least 30 days after the treatment.

Cover aquariums and turn off air pumps.  Any birds or other animals must be taken out of the house for several hours during and after the treatment.  Open the windows if weather permits to dissipate the odor.  

Follow your vet’s advice about treating your pet for fleas.

People and pets need to be out of the house for at least 4 hours during and after the treatment.

AFTER THE TREATMENT

You may see fleas for up to 2-3 weeks after treatment.  The residual activity of the product we applied will kill the fleas that hatch during this period, but not any eggs or pupa that don’t get removed by vacuuming.  This time period is known as the “pupal window”.   Thorough vacuuming of the floors, baseboards and floor registers MUST be done every day or every other day for the next 2-3 weeks.  The vibration of the vacuum stimulates the pupa to become adult fleas, which will die when exposed to the treatment material. Be extra thorough under furniture, furniture cushions, and where your pet spends the most time.  Be sure to empty the vacuum outside.   Do not wash the hard surface floors for at least 30 days.  If you don’t vacuum thoroughly as recommended, you probably won’t get rid of your fleas.  

We are using the best products available but sometimes fleas need multiple treatments. Follow up treatments are an additional charge.