Don't Give Fleas A Winter Home

The outside flea population naturally declines with the coming of winter. But if you have fleas in your home now, fall is the time to redouble your efforts at flea control to avoid a larger problem this winter.

 

There are an estimated 1600 species of fleas. If you have a problem you probably feel like each and every one of these species has moved into your home. The fact is that humans encounter only a few species.

 

The most common species in this area are the cat and dog fleas, but others such as human fleas and rat fleas turn up occasionally. Many people discovering fleas outside their homes mistakenly call them "sand fleas." There is no flea by this name. Many kinds of fleas such as cat or dog fleas develop in sandy places because they were dropped there (as eggs or adults) by flea-infested animals.

 

Adult fleas are small wingless insects, hard-skinned, spiny, flattened side to side, and black to brownish-black in color. They range in size from 1/25-inch to 1/4-inch long. Fleas are designed to move freely among the hairs (or feathers) of their unwilling hosts. Easily disturbed while feeding, they may run or jump for cover.

 

FIeas go through four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The first 3 stages are rarely seen. Flea development and activity are dependent on external factors such as temperature, humidity and host availability.

 

Unfortunately fleas are able to survive for weeks away from a host without feeding. Many families returning home to a flea-infested house after a long vacation can attest to this.

 

The adult female mates only once, but she can lay several hundred eggs during her lifetime. Not all eggs are laid at once. The female needs a blood meal before she can lay fertile eggs. After each blood meal, she lays 4 to 8 eggs.

 

The first step in controlling fleas is determining whether or not you have an infestation. If you suspect an infestation, try to locate the adult fleas by walking through the most likely areas wearing white socks. Fleas can be spotted readily clinging to the socks.

 

Once you establish that fleas are present, it's important to recognize that there are 4 major locations where fleas live and reproduce: on pets, in bedding or sleeping areas, in the house and outside.

 

During the summer it may be necessary to control fleas outside in the yard, but the approach of cold weather makes this step unnecessary now.

 

For your pets, a number of good flea control products are available from veterinarians. You might want to consider having your vet treat your pets. If you choose to treat them yourself, take care when using products containing insecticides, especially with young animals. Products based on pyrethrins or limonene (a citrus-peel extract) are considered mildest.

 

Clean your entire house thoroughly. Because flea eggs are not glued or attached to the host, they can easily fall to the ground to hatch in your carpeting or bedding. Vacuum along baseboards, under furniture, in areas where pets sIeep or rest, in cracks and crevices and in all upholstered furniture. Empty the vacuum bag immediately and destroy it or seal it in a plastic bag.

 

Also be sure to clean pet bedding thoroughly. And if your pet sleeps on your bed, wash the sheets

 

and bIankets. Sometimes a thorough house cleaning is all that’s needed to eliminate the problem. Flea combing pets regularly (daily during treatment) helps considerably.

 

If you have a heavy infestation, the house may need treating with an approved insecticide. A “bomb” or “fogger” containing pyrethrins can be used for quick relief from adult fleas. Keep in mind that foggers may not get all the areas where control is critical. Bombs should be followed with a residual spray (one containing an insect growth regulator) to floor areas, pet bedding, cloth furniture and other areas where your pets spend time. The residual spray is aimed at larvae, although any adults in these areas wiI1 usually be killed too. This should prevent reinfestation for up to 6 months. By combining all of the above strategies you should have your flea problem under control in no time.

 

Call the UNH Cooperative Extension's Family, Home & Garden Education Center 's Info-Line toll-free at 1-877-3984769 for "Practical Solutions to Everyday Questions." Trained volunteers are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm .

 

By Margaret Hagen, Extension Educator, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension