| IPM Tactics For Flea Control |
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Figure 1. Adult fleas taking blood-meal and excreting partially digested blood that will become the larval food source. (Photo used with permission of the University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL.) |
Starting early and using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is the best way to control fleas. IPM methods incorporate all available control methods into a pest management program. Control methods include sanitation, exclusion, and chemical techniques.
Start flea control programs no later than April if you have had a problem in the past or if you have seen a flea or two on your pets (or on yourself). Do not expect good flea control if you begin a control program in July or August when the flea populations have already exploded. You can do your own flea control or contract the services of a professional pest control operator. Veterinarians also have prescription treatments for flea control on pets.
Besides the discomfort even one flea bite can cause people and pets, a more serious medical concern for people in the U.S. is infection by the dog tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum. The cat flea is an intermediate host of the tapeworm. An intermediate host carries the parasite from one primary host to another. The primary host of the dog tapeworm can be a cat, dog, or even occasionally humans, if the infected flea is accidentally swallowed.
Adult fleas infected with the tapeworm are ingested by the pet during grooming, thereby infecting or reinfecting dogs and cats.
Fleas are infected when flea larvae ingest tapeworm eggs during the normal course of feeding. Tapeworm eggs are dropped from tapeworms that crawl out of the anus of infested dogs or cats. One study reported that 24 percent of dogs and 30 percent of cats carried the tapeworm. Another study reported that approximately 1.1 percent of the fleas are infected with tapeworm.
Fleas are holometabolous (complete metamorphosis) insects having an egg, larval, pupal, and adult stage much like a butterfly. In order for proper egg development, female fleas must ingest a blood meal from a host such as a cat or dog. Usually a flea cannot complete its life-cycle on human blood. Females lay eggs on the host. The eggs have smooth shells and are not stuck to the host, so they roll off into the host's surroundings. Adult fleas that have taken a blood meal will excrete partially digested blood in their feces. The feces also falls off into the host's surroundings along with the eggs (Figure 2). The emerging larvae feeds on the adult feces which contains partially digested blood from the host (Figure 3). Larvae produce cocoons from debris in their surroundings making the pupae difficult to detect (Figure 4).
| Figure 2. Smooth-shelled eggs that roll off of host along with partially digested blood that will become larval food source. The egg stage is easily vacuumed up and discarded. (Photo used with permission of the University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL.) |  |
| Figure 3. Flea larva that will feed on the partially digested blood excreted by adults. (Photo used with permission of the University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL.) |  |
| Figure 4. Flea cocoons. Fleas use whatever material they are living in to make the cocoon. Blue carpet fibers will result in a blue cocoon. (Photo used with permission of the University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, FL.) |  |
Fleas are most protected from traditional insecticides during the pupal stage. Fleas develop into adults and remain in their cocoons until conditions are conducive to successful reproduction. This intermediate stage is termed the "pre-emergent adult." When conditions are right for successful reproduction, adult fleas emerge from the cocoons and begin the cycle again (Figure 1). One female cat flea can lay between 158 to 420 eggs in her lifetime. Some estimates are higher. Table 1 has the development time for each stage of the flea life cycle.
| Stage | Development Time | Temperature |
| Eggs | 1.5 to 6 days | 55 to 90 degrees F |
| Larva | 4 to 8 days | 80 to 90 degrees F |
| Pupa | 7 to 10 days | -- |
| Pre-emergent Adult | 4 to 20 weeks | 52 to 90 degrees F |
| Adult | 4 to 25 days | -- |
| Total Life Cycle | 6 to 27 weeks | -- |
You should complete this control program in one day for maximum success.
Some common insecticides registered for use on fleas by homeowners are diazinon, carbaryl (Sevin), chlorpyrifos (Dursban), and malathion. If the infestation is severe, consider using the services of a professional pest control operator to do steps 3 and 4. Professional pest control operators are licensed to use insecticides not available to homeowners and have the proper equipment to do a thorough treatment.
There is no insecticidal "bait" for fleas. Consequently, the standard chemical control method is to broadcast-spray an insecticide over the surface of the carpet. Although the chemicals used today are relatively safe, compared with those used in the past, some homeowners may prefer a reduced chemical approach. Again, the program should be completed within 1 day.
Do not reenter the house until the insecticide is dry (about 4 hours). One way to check dryness is to place a paper towel at the door when you leave. After the drying period, reenter the house, place the paper towel on the carpet and with your shoe still on, step on the paper towel. If the paper towel is dry, the house is clear to reenter. If the paper towel is wet, return in a couple of hours and redo the paper towel test. This test was suggested by Creig Manson, Ciba-Geigy/Sandoz.
Hinkle, N. C., P. G. Koehler, and R. S. Patterson. 1990. Egg production, larval development, and adult longevity of cat fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) exposed to ultrasound. J. Econ. Entomol. 83: 2306-2309.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find the number.