Don’t Fear the Fleas!

The flea. An annoying, jumping, creepy parasite that can become a recurring nuisance to not just your furry family, but your human family as well! The most common type of flea is the cat flea. Cat fleas do not just dine on cats. These fleas survive on warm-blooded hosts such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and humans. The average flea ranges in size from about 1/12 to 1/6 inch long. They are very small, mostly brown in color and acquire access to their host by jumping. 

Female fleas can lay from 200-400 eggs in their life cycle that mostly hatches within two days but can remain dormant for over a year. Yikes! Fleas can carry disease, so aside from being annoying, it is important to eliminate these pests for health reasons as well.  This is where Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc. can help. There are many do-it-yourself treatments including traps, flea bombs, herbal sprays, essential oils, and store-bought powders and sprays. Most of these DIY methods are for mild flea problems. Some of these remedies can be messy or even harmful to your furry family members, so be sure to research any adverse effects thoroughly before attempting self-treatment. 

While home remedies may work, you will often have to repeat the procedure several times to completely eradicate your home of fleas. This can be time-consuming and end up costing more than if you called a professional first.  If you have an infestation, look into hiring a professional for fast and complete eradication of the pests.  It’s also imperative to treat your pets with a veterinarian recommended flea treatment. Some remedies will require you to be away from the premises for an extended period of time for safety reasons. Make sure you are aware of any of these risks, and how the treatment may affect those in your home. 

Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc. Recommendations Before We Treat for Fleas

*For our flea preventative treatment to be successful it is extremely important that You, the Customer, follow these critical steps.

1. As always it is suggested that you make arrangements to have your pet(s) treated for fleas.
2. Just prior to our scheduled service (that day or the evening before), remove items from the floor such as toys, shoes, papers, boxes, etc.  Don’t forget closets where shoes and clothes are stored and especially underneath beds!
3. Next, vacuum thoroughly!  Thus preparing the carpet to better accept the flea control product into the base fibers.  Dispose of the vacuum bag.
4. Remove pet dishes and make sure pets are out of the house during the treatment.
5. Pick-up pet dishes, toys, etc. from around the outside of your house.
6. You and your pets need to stay out of your house for up to four hours after we complete the service.
7. Do not clean carpets (We recommend that any carpet cleaning be done prior to our service)

The best time to start a flea control program is late Spring (NOW!), and of course, prior to an infestation. But any time you notice a problem, don’t wait! Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc. offers in-home treatment for fleas consisting of treating the carpeted areas of your home as well as any upholstered furniture. For more information regarding treatment, pricing, or to set up an appointment for service, call Hopper in Mountain Home or Springdale, Arkansas at (870) 425-4122.