Ask Dr. Bug - Fleas

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What is the best way to get rid of fleas in my house?

Fleas can be a challenging pest to control for several reasons:

1. The Biology of the Pest - Fleas undergo a complete metamorphosis (life cycle): egg, larvae, pupae, & adult. The adults are first seen either on a host (pet) or in the carpets. It is at this stage that the female flea will need a blood meal in order to produce the eggs. These eggs are normally laid on the host. Once the host moves around the home, the eggs drop. The larvae will emerge from the egg and crawl to a dark area (under furniture) and consume any organic material that can be found in the nape of the carpet. The larvae will eventually construct a pupae cocoon and later become adults starting the cycle over.
   
   
2. Location of Fleas - Depending on the life stage, fleas can be located in different areas of a home. This can be more challenging if the host is a cat because of the roaming nature of cats which is not as predictable as dogs.
   
   
3. Preparation of the Treatment Site - It is important to vacuum for several days prior to the treatment application to remove as many fleas as possible. This will also help in removing the organic food material . The vacuum bag will need to be discarded.
   
   
4. Thoroughness of the Application -The flea treatment has to be able to reach the two life stages that will be susceptible to insecticides, the adult and the larvae. Identifying all of the problem sites in and outside the home are critical in preventing a reinfestation. At the time of treatment, all pets need to be removed from the home and treated by a professional so they do not bring the fleas back.
   
   
5. Follow-Up after the Treatment - For several days after the treatment it is important to continue to vacuum to remove any exposed fleas. Again the vacuum bag will need to be discarded. Normally there is a "hatching" period that occurs about 10 -14 days after the treatment. A second application may be needed.
   
   
6. Type of Flea - The above information is just for dog & cat fleas. There are also fleas that live on birds, wildlife, rodents, etc. These fleas will pose an additional challenge in identifying the source and treatment areas.

Your question does not provide enough information about your flea problem or treatment for me to provide you a helpful answer. My recommendation will be to hire a professional pest control company that is experienced in flea control and can offer a guarantee for their service. Having a professional on site to evaluate your pest problem will provide you the best treatment strategy.