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Home Owners: Learn about fleas, and
safe and effective
flea control methods |
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Fleas are obnoxious pests...
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Fleas are a parasite which feed on the blood of warm blooded animals, including
humans.
They pierce the skin, inject an anti-coagulant chemical into the host to
prevent blood clotting and suck out the blood some passing straight through
their rectum in order to lay their eggs.
A flea bite can cause acute irritation, infection and transfer of other
parasites, such as, tapeworms.
Fleas often enter a building on dogs and cats, and are commonly deposited
in carpeted areas, in the garden, yard and under the building.
Flea eggs can take several weeks to more than 12 months to hatch - generally
during hot humid weather causing an instant infestation of plague proportions. |
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It is essential for carpets to be thoroughly vacuumed especially in low
traffic areas, under furniture, etc, before habitat areas are treated
with a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide containing an insect growth regulator
which inhibits development during the egg and larvae stage of their life
cycle.
To help prevent reinfestation the home owner should regularly vacuum carpets
and wash your pet (dogs and cats) with shampoo containing a flea control
product. |
Restrict access of your dog and/or cat, to internal and sub-floor areas
particularly during the summer months.
What will it cost for professional pest control? For flea control in residential
premises, the price varies depending on the size home, garden area and ease
of access to various areas of the house, using the safer (more expensive)
effective flea control products. Due to the likelihood of a reinfestation
from insects carried in on your pets, a recurring service program may be
advisable and more cost effective in the long run.
CONSUMER NOTE: cheaper prices for flea control abound in the market-place
- usually from companies using the cheaper solvent based pesticides in and
around the home - which are definitely NOT recommended, especially if residents
have asthma or bronchial ailments. Service warranties vary depending upon
the risk of reinfestation. |
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Learn about other common household pests
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Published by Fumapest Group © copyright
1995 - updated:
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