Fleas & Flea Control   Home Owners: Learn about fleas, and safe and effective flea control methods   Fleas are obnoxious pests...   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.   Pest Control for Fleas   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.   Learn about other common household pests Ants Borers Silverfish Bed Bugs Roaches Spiders Bees Fleas Termites Bird Control Rats & Mice Wasps Find out how to protect Your Home from termites termites termite control pest control consumer advice home Published by Fumapest Group © copyright 1995 - updated: