Fleas and their Control
Fleas are small, laterally flattened insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They have powerful legs that allow them to jump tremendous distances for such tiny insects. Fleas have been implicated in the transmission of notorious diseases, such as bubonic plague and murine typhus. They can also cause medical problems including flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), tapeworms, secondary skin irritations and, in extreme cases, anemia.
Flea control is very detailed, tedious, time-consuming work that is a challenge even for the best pest control technicians. Proper preparation increases the chances of success when treating for fleas. Customers who have scheduled a flea treatment should be sure to do the following:
- Thoroughly vacuum all carpets prior to the treatment. Shampooing them is even better, as long as they will be dry in time for the flea treatment.
- Remove sheets, other bedding, and slipcovers from mattresses and upholstered furniture and pet bedding areas, and wash these items in detergent and hot water.
- Give the technician as much access to the floor as possible. Pick up movable items and set them on top of tables.
- Have your pets treated by a veterinarian or groomer at the same time that your home is being treated.
Flea treatment is time consuming. You will need to be out of the house during the actual treatment and for several hours afterward (until the spray has thoroughly dried), so please make arrangements to be somewhere else for a few hours after the treatment.
For more information about flea control or to schedule an appointment, please contact us. We service the Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio Metropolitan areas.