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Controlling Cat Fleas
The following, time-tested multi-step process will help you to control and eliminate these unwanted pests. These steps must be followed exactly for best results!
1. Wild animals. Rodents, opossums, squirrels, who are nesting in or frequently visiting the structure must be prevented from entering the structure. They must be controlled with appropriate trapping devices or baits.
2. Pets. If the pet has fleas at the time of treatment, the pet owner must make arrangements for the pet to be treated. Treatment may be done by a veterinarian, grooming parlor, or by the pet owner, but must be done on the day of structure treatment and either before or while the premises are being treated.
3. Indoor control. Vacuuming is the singularly most important thing that can be done to take control of a bad flea situation. The homeowner must do the following just prior to the flea treatment: Why must I vacuum so much?
- Remove all items such as toys and pillows off the floor or carpet
- Remove all articles from under beds, on closet floors, and from under furniture; vacuum all upholstered furniture, floors, and carpeting, paying particular attention to the foot of the furniture on which the pet rests, under furniture, and wall-floor junctions.
- The vacuum bag must be immediately removed and put into a plastic garbage bag, the top sealed, and then placed in an outside garbage receptacle or burned.
- Thoroughly clean all areas frequented by cats, e.g. table tops, refrigerator tops, window sills, counters, etc.
- Cover aquariums and turn off the pumps prior to the treatment.
- Be sure to remove all pets, including birds.
The treatment consists of applying an appropriately labeled pesticide (Suspend SC) and/or IG Regulator as per label instructions with thoroughness being the key to success. We recommend that an IGR (insect growth regulator be used on the initial treatment and reapplied as per label instructions every 3-6 months throughout the flea season. For problem situations, it is recommended that the IGR alone be applied prior to the beginning of the next flea season as a preventative measure. I always estimate that one-gallon of finished solution is sufficient to cover 1000SF of carpeted area. Less will be required on hardwood , or tile floors. Regardless, after any carpet and/or floor treatment, do not allow humans or pets back into the house until the treatment has completely dried. This generally is a 3 - 4 hour period of time that I use in my pest control business. This will prevent pesticide pickup and possible staining from dirt being brought in contact with the damp carpet. Also, remember to ventilate the house upon re-entry. Since vacuuming has little effect on residual deposits, it is advisable to vacuum several times during the first 7-10 days after treatment. This will help reduce the emerging fleas and possible retreatments. Be aware that some pesticide sprays (microencapsulated formulations) tend to stimulate fleas to emerge from their cocoon. Suspend is not a microencapsulate!
4. Exterior control. Minimally, spot treatment should be done. This consists of treating with an appropriately labeled pesticide (Talstar Granules) and light-stable IG Regulator, every place the animal rests, naps, or sleeps which are typically cool areas such as next to the building's foundation, porch, etc., or under a bush or tree. For dogs confined to a fenced-in yard, also treat the 3-4 feet adjacent to the fence on the side to which the dog has access. If the infestation is severe, overall yard treatment may be required and an appropriately labeled pesticide should be used. Wettable powder (Conquer WP) and microencapsulated formulations are particularly effective outdoors.
We recommend these products:
- Suspend SC
- IG Regulator
- Talstar Granules (last the longest)
- Deltamethrin
- Conquor WP
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