The fleas that you see on your pet are only 5% of the flea population. These adult fleas are what cause the most trauma to our pets. They carry parasites, diseases and can cause skin problems.

Where do fleas come from? They are found in the shaded areas outdoors, not in the sun. They are in your carpets (if the pet goes indoors). They are where your pet sleeps (yup, even your bed).

One female flea can lay up to 2000 eggs in her lifetime. She will begin laying her eggs 36-48 hours after her first blood meal. She can lay anywhere from 20-50 eggs per day. ONE female flea can lay up to 350 eggs per week!! Eggs will generally make up 50% of the infestation. The female will lay her eggs on the pet and they will fall off into the environment during scratching, running or resting. Eggs will usually hatch within 1 to 10 days depending on humidity.

The flea larvae, a.k.a. flea maggot.   These maggots hatch from their egg and begin feeding off flea feces (your pets blood). Without this material they cannot develop.  They do not like light, and therefore are generally found in deep carpet fibers. mattresses, and couch stuffing. They tend to be found where animals spend the majority of time, in the shade outdoors, in their bed indoors.  This stage lasts for about 5-11 days depending on food and humidity/temperatures. They make up about 35% of the infestation.

The larvae protects itself in a cocoon we call the pupae. It can take 5-14 days to complete the phase. . Once the pupa has fully developed, the adult flea will remain inside the cocoon for several days to several weeks until stimulated to emerge. Physical pressure (being stepped on), carbon dioxide (when we exhale), vibration (from walking or vacuuming) and heat (signifying a potential host) can stimulate it’s emergence. It can remain in this stage for weeks, and in some cases it has been noted up to a year until a suitable host arrives. There are no chemicals available to penetrate the cocoon. This stage makes up about 10% of the flea population.

 Things to Remember:

• There are no repellants that are 100% effective where you will not see a flea on your pet.  This is why you need to have a topical on your pet so the fleas you see will die.
• Just because you see fleas on your pet does NOT mean your product is NOT working, it means you still have a flea problem in your environment!
• Once you have a flea problem (yes, one flea is a problem) you need to be sure you are treating ALL your pets (indoor and outdoor) for at least a YEAR!

 OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Give a capstar tablet once to twice weekly until no more fleas are seen.  This product will kill the adult fleas within 30 minutes and will last for 24 hours.
• Apply Frontline Plus to ALL pets every 3 weeks* during the flea infestation.
• Spray ALL pets with Ovitrol (just a mist will do). This will kill adults and will destroy the eggs.  This will also act as a repellant and will get the fleas off your pet quickly.
• Vacuum carpets and take vacuum bags directly out to the trash. DO NO LEAVE IN YOUR HOME!!!
• Spray all bedding areas where pet sleeps with Siphotrol spray as directed.
• Treat the yard with the product called "D.E.", Diatomaceous Earth, or other insecticide.