Adult fleas are small insects (under ¼ inch) of dark reddish-brown color.  They lack
wings and have laterally compressed bodies enabling them to move easily through body
hairs.  They have three pairs of legs with the back pair modified for jumping.
 

There are several kinds of fleas. Adults of each live on the blood of animals and must
have it to reproduce. Each species of flea prefers to live and feed on a certain kind of
animal but when hungry will attack a wide variety of warm-blooded animals including
humans.

The cat flea is the most common and is usually the species found on cats and dogsand
in homes. The dog flea looks and acts like the cat flea but is much less common. The true
human flea is the least common. Human fleas may occur in homes which are dirty and
which have large amounts of dust, dirt, and organic debris.  All these species are more
abundant in the warm summer months.

Female fleas deposit their eggs on their hosts, in pet bedding, on floors and furniture, or on
other accessible places. Eggs laid on the host are not firmly attached and soon fall off. In
a few days the eggs hatch into slender, white, legless larvae with bristly hairs. These tiny
larvae are scavengers that feed on dirt, body wastes, and many kinds of debris. In about
12 to 15 days the full grown larvae change to pupae and then to adults. The adults will then
immediately begin a search for warm-blooded animals on which to feed.

                         Flea Eggs
         
 

Pet owners returning from a vacation often find their home overrun with active adult fleas.
Immature fleas present when the owners left have completed development, and the newly
emerged hungry adults are searching for a blood meal. Also, homeowners or new tenants
moving into vacant homes or apartments where previous tenants had dogs or cats may also
experience an adult flea problem. Flea control should be directed to cats and dogs to kill
adult fleas and to breeding sites to eliminate both young and adult fleas.

CONTROL ON DOGS AND CATS

Pets can be treated for fleas by using insecticide sprays, dusts, foams, shampoos, collars,
feed additives, and pills. Insecticides registered for pets include carbaryl (Sevin, in dust or
solution form) malathion, propoxur, pyrethrins and  permethrin. Excellent insecticides for
flea control ( Diazinon and Dursban) were recently taken off the market by agencies of
the federal government.

Always read and follow insecticide label directions. Do not use any insecticides on a pet
unless the label specifically states that it can be used on that pet species. Follow restrictions
such as age of animal to be treated, and precautions such as not treating sick animals or
using in conjunction with other medications. Other products are available for flea control
such as pet collars equipped with electronic sounding devices and combs for mechanical
removal of fleas. These devices have not been proven to repel or control fleas and are not
recommended.  There are numerous shampoos and solutions which are approved for use
in killing fleas on animals and pets.  Check with your local veterinarian for these and other
products which can safely be applied to your pet. ( No gasoline, kerosine or other liquid
which could irritate the skin or poison your pet or which could be highly flammable, should
ever be applied!!)

               Flea Larva
       
 

CONTROL IN HOMES

Before any insecticide is applied for flea control it is advised to thoroughly vacuum the
carpets, especially pet resting areas, to remove developing fleas. The entire house should
be vacuumed, including  rooms which have  no carpet.  Set the vacuum cleaner  for the
setting which is closest to the floor.  Vacuum under furniture, in areas where pets frequent,
in cracks and crevices along walls, and all upholstered furniture. The vacuum bag contents
should be destroyed by burning or should be placed in airtight plastic bags and discarded
as soon as the house has been cleaned, to get rid of the accumulated flea larvae and pupae.

To control fleas on carpets and in rooms with furniture, use a spray containing pyrethrins,
malathion, or propoxur (Baygon). These sprays can be applied as a light mist to floors,
carpets, upholstered furniture, and baseboards. Check label directions for proper mixing
and use instructions. Before spraying delicate fabrics, treat a small portion to be certain
that the spray will not stain the fabric. Carbaryl (Sevin) can be applied as a dust treatment.
Methoprene (Precor, an Insect Growth Regulator)  is available as a residual fog treatment.
It is always extremely important to read the directions carefully to insure proper application.

Methoprene acts only on immature life stages of fleas, preventing adult fleas from developing.
Flea eggs deposited on and larvae crawling onto methoprene treated areas will not develop
into adult fleas. Existing adult fleas and flea pupae are not affected. If adult fleas are present,
the use of an adulticide may be necessary for immediate relief.

Insecticides available for use in homes by professional pest control applicators include:
(Knox Out), bendiocarb (Ficam), propetamphos (Safrotin) and fenoxycarb (Torus).
 
 

CONTROL IN BARNS, ANIMAL QUARTERS AND YARDS

The success of flea control on animals depends upon eliminating infestations in kennels, beneath
buildings, and in barns, yards  and other places  frequented  by infested animals. First, remove
litter, manure, or debris, and spray or dust the affected areas.  Sprays are best for large-scale
treatment. Insecticides that can be used for this purpose include carbaryl (Sevin), malathion,
methoxychlor, and propoxur (Baygon). Before using any of these insecticides always read and
follow label  directions  and  precautions. Insecticides available  for outdoor  flea control  by
professional pest control operators only, include:  fention (Baytex), propoxur (Baygon),
bendiocarb (Ficam) and dioxathion (Deltic).