1. Vacuum all rugs, carpets and furniture thoroughly, especially between and under
cushions. Dispose of vacuum bag upon completion.
2. Mop all tile and vinyl floors.
3. Sweep all concrete floors.
4. Pets need to be treated with a flea/tick pet product before they are brought back into the house. Pets cannot remain in the home during
treatment. Fish bowls and aquariums may remain if they are properly covered and air supply temporarily disconnected and covered.
5. Dispose of or wash all pet bedding.
Q: WHY IS VACUUMING MORE IMPORTANT?
A: You will remove or pick up many of the fleas (all four stages). Also the
vibration of the vacuum cleaner will help the protective pupal stage of the flea emerge quicker and come in contact with the residual treatment sooner.
Vacuuming after the treatment is very important in the battle against fleas. You may vacuum as often as desired once the treatment has dried.
Q: WHY MAY WE SEE FLEAS FOR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE
TREATMENT?
A: Fleas have a four stage life cycle - egg, larval, pupal and adult. The flea treatment that has been performed will take care of the egg, larval and adult
flea stage. All of the pupal stage (final stage before becoming an adult flea) should emerge to adults, within thirty days after treatment, if the house is
occupied. Once the adult fleas contact the treatment barrier they will die within a few days.
Q: HOW CAN I KEEP THE FLEAS FROM RETURNING?
A:
Regular vacuuming and cleaning of floors will help reduce flea populations. Monitor your pet(s) regularly to see if they are carrying fleas and treat them with a pet flea product as labeled.
Q: I NO LONGER HAVE A PET AND NOW I HAVE FLEAS?
A: Fleas are designed to crawl through the hair of pets and prefer a warm
blooded animal to people. Once pets with fleas have been in the house and no longer are present, the flea must now find its meal from a human. Flea
problems sometime go unnoticed until they start to irritate us.
Q: MY PET(S) ARE STILL SCRATCHING EVEN AFTER THE TREATMENT?
A:
First monitor your pet(s) to see if they have flea activity and treat, if needed, with the proper pet product, following the instructions on the label.
Also, pets will scratch after the fleas are gone due to allergic reactions from the flea bites or they may have a skin irritation. Remember, pets will keep
getting fleas as the pupae emerges from the pupal stage. This does not mean you need additional treatment, just keep eliminating them from the pets.
Q: WHAT IS A FLEA TREATMENT?
A: The pest control operator will evaluate what must be done in your home once making an inspection. Carpets, tile, rugs, cloth furniture, pet bedding
and pet resting spots will be treated with an adulticide product and growth regulator. Upon completion on the inside the technician may lightly fog the
house. The fog is a short lived product and is only designed for the quick knockdown of the adult biting flea. Fleas also survive and reproduce outside.
The yard, pet run and pet houses are treated with a liquid product, allowing us to gain better control of the fleas inside your home and on your pet. Inform
your technician of your pet's favorite resting places.
Q: HOW LONG DOES MY FAMILY NEED TO BE OUT OF THE HOUSE?
A:
If the house is fogged the technician will ask that everyone and all pets leave the house for approximately six to eight hours. Leave the home closed
up for three to four hours and then allow the house to air three to four more hours before returning permanently. If a fog is not used, then everyone,
including pets, will need to be out of the house and off of the lawn for approximately four to five hours until insecticides have dried completely.
