Fleas

Which Pests are Bugging You?

Are you in need of flea treatment in Wichita or surrounding cities?

Fleas are a pest that can get out of hand very quickly. They can take over your home and yard and their bites can be very irritating for both you and your pets. Not only that, but they can be dangerous pests to have around as they can cause diseases and illnesses for your pets. To get rid of fleas, you will need to treat not only your pets but also your home. Patton Termite & Pest Control of Wichita is here to help whether you’re in need of flea information, flea treatment, or want to take preventative measures.

What are fleas?

Fleas are flightless insects that can jump very far, that rely on blood meals from a host. Fleas feed on a variety of hosts including the following: humans, cats and dogs, squirrels, rabbits, rats, mice, and birds. Most commonly, home owners come in contact with the cat flea, which has become very domesticated. They are very small (adults getting up to about 3mm in size) and can maneuver around different hairs and fibers easily. Despite their small size, fleas reproduce rapidly and in high numbers so infestations can become very large, very quickly.

How Do You Get Fleas?

Fleas may be introduced into your yard by wildlife , feral cats, or pets carrying the fleas. They generally populate outside in shady, damp areas, along fence lines, under porches and decks, and in dog runs or kennels.

Since fleas jump onto nearby hosts, they may enter your home on your pets or on your body. Inside, they can begin infesting all types of flooring, pet beds, furniture, and more. Any place that your pet spends time can become populated with fleas.

Flea Treatment- How to Get Rid of Fleas?

Flea treatment for your yard or home is best left to a professional. There are flea treatment products available in stores, but you may spend a lot of time, money, and energy trying to do this alone with minimal results. Materials must be used strategically and in the right amounts. A professional like Patton Termite & Pest Control knows which materials to use, how much to use, where to use them, and uses them in a manner that poses the least risk to your pets and family.

Flea Infestation Sites in your Yard:

• In damp, shaded areas (such as under large trees)
• Around dog runs, kennels, and common travel paths
• Under porches and decks

Have Your Pets Treated for Fleas

You will want to get your pet treated as soon as possible to help eliminate your fleas. Getting the pet treated doesn’t always solve your flea problem inside or outside of your home, so we recommend doing this in conjunction with professional flea extermination. It will give your pet some relief and protection and help our services be more successful. Talk to your vet or speak with a representative at a local pet supply store to find the best product to use and follow the instructions carefully.

Preparation Before and After Flea Treatment

Flea treatment requires some work on the part of the homeowner. After getting your pet treated, there are some steps you need to take to prepare for service:

• Wash all pet bedding or run it through the dryer.
• Clean up toys, blankets, and anything on the floors. It helps to have the floors clear of clutter for treatment.
• Pick up pet food bowls, water bowls, and cover any fish tanks.
• Vacuum thoroughly before service. This includes wood and tile flooring, not just carpet. Make sure to get edges of the room, underneath furniture, and rugs.

All people and pets will need to be out of the home during service and for about an hour after service.

The Importance of Vacuuming Before and After Flea Treatment

Vacuuming is a crucial part of flea treatment success. Vacuuming can help remove various stages of fleas to reduce the population. However, vacuuming alone will not get rid of your fleas. The suction lifts the carpet fibers which will help our materials penetrate the carpet more effectively. Vacuuming also stimulates the fleas to cause them to emerge from their cocoons which are resistant to insecticides. After vacuuming, the bag should be placed in an airtight bag and disposed of in an exterior dumpster to prevent re-infestation. After service, vacuuming should occur once a day for at least a week, at minimum.

When Will Flea Activity Stop?

Reduction of the flea population should occur within the first 5-10 days. However, you will still see some flea activity during this time. The material must be given time to work and fleas must emerge and get into the materials. The product we use is labeled to last 60-90 days which will eliminate the flea problem and give you protection for an extended period of time after service.

Preventing Future Flea Infestations

Fleas are a pest that can be introduced fairly easily. To protect yourself from fleas going forward, make sure to provide your pets with routine flea protection. It will also help if you reduce moisture in shaded zones in your yard as best as you can. Along with both of these steps, you can have your yard and home treated by a professional pest control company to have materials down as a preventative measure in case fleas get introduced again.

Partner With A Professional for Flea Treatment

Patton Termite & Pest Control can respond quickly if you are in need of flea treatment in Wichita or surrounding cities. Not all infestations are the same so we would like you to call our office at 316-773-3825 and speak with one of our licensed technicians to establish a treatment plan and pricing. Then, we will schedule your service on a day and time that works best for you!

We offer Flea Treatment and other pest control services, in the following cities: Wichita, Maize, Goddard, Cheyney, Andale, Colwich, Mount Hope, Clearwater, Haysville, Derby, Rose Hill, Belle Plaine, Mulvaine, Park City, Valley Center, Kechi, Andover, Augusta, El Dorado, Benton, and more! Check our service map to see if your area is included.