11/25/2024
We've been getting a lot of questions from our clients regarding preventative products in winter months, so we've busted some myths for you! Read on to learn about how best to control those pesky fleas and ticks so as best to protect your pets!
Fleas and ticks are resilient and don’t die off easily in cold weather, but they become less active and their populations decrease. Here’s what you should know:
• Fleas: Fleas can survive cold temperatures if they have a host to live on or shelter indoors. Outdoor flea populations start to die off when temperatures consistently drop below 37°F for several days. However, fleas in pupae or cocoon stages can survive colder conditions and hatch when it warms up again.
• Ticks: Ticks are hardier and can survive freezing temperatures by going dormant. Many species, like deer ticks, remain active until it drops below 32°F. However, prolonged temperatures below 10°F can start to kill ticks, especially if there’s no snow cover to insulate them.
Consistently freezing weather without host animals or shelter is necessary to significantly reduce flea and tick populations outdoors. In WV, it's been a while since the state experienced a prolonged period where temperatures remained below 10°F. The most recent instance was in the polar vortex of January 2019 where parts of WV saw temps in the single digits for short periods, but still not for several consecutive days statewide.
Controlling flea and tick populations in your yard involves a combination of methods to make the environment less hospitable for them. Here are the best strategies:
1. Maintain Your Lawn
• Mow Regularly: Keep grass short (2-3 inches) to reduce shaded areas where fleas and ticks thrive.
• Trim Shrubs and Bushes: Cut back overgrown vegetation to limit hiding spots.
• Clear Leaf Litter: Remove dead leaves, grass clippings, and other debris where pests like to nest.
2. Create Barriers
• Add Gravel or Wood Chips: Place a border of gravel or wood chips around the perimeter of your yard to create a barrier that pests find hard to cross.
• Avoid Dense Vegetation Near Entryways: Keep bushes and plants away from the edges of your home.
3. Treat the Yard
• Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas where fleas and ticks are likely to hide. It dehydrates and kills them.
• Beneficial Nematodes: These microscopic organisms eat flea larvae in soil and are safe for pets and humans.
• Yard Sprays: Use pet-safe insecticides labeled for flea and tick control, such as permethrin or pyrethrin-based products, but follow all instructions carefully.
4. Discourage Wildlife and Rodents
• Eliminate Food Sources: Avoid leaving pet food or garbage outside, as it attracts animals that carry fleas and ticks.
• Secure Fencing: Install fences to deter deer and other wildlife.
5. Keep Pets Protected
• Use veterinarian-approved flea and tick preventatives on your pets to reduce their chances of bringing pests into your yard.
6. Use Natural Repellents
• Essential Oils: Plant pest-repellent herbs like lavender, rosemary, or eucalyptus around your yard. These can deter fleas and ticks naturally.
• Cedar Mulch: Spread cedar mulch in flower beds or high-traffic areas; the scent repels pests.
7. Regular Yard Inspections
• Check for signs of fleas (like flea dirt) or ticks in areas where your pets play and rest.
• Pay extra attention to shaded, moist spots, which are ideal breeding grounds.
By combining these measures, you can significantly reduce flea and tick populations in your yard and create a safer environment for your family and pets.
Clearing a flea infestation in your home requires a multi-step approach to eliminate fleas at all life stages (adults, eggs, larvae, and pupae). Here’s a detailed guide:
1. Treat Pets
• Use Flea Preventatives: Apply veterinarian-recommended flea treatments like topical solutions, oral medications, or flea collars to all pets in the home.
• Bathe Pets: Use a flea-specific shampoo to kill adult fleas, but consult your vet for recommendations if your pet has sensitive skin.
• Comb Thoroughly: Use a flea comb daily to remove fleas and flea dirt from your pet’s coat.
2. Clean the Home Thoroughly
• Vacuum Every Surface: Focus on carpets, rugs, furniture, pet bedding, and cracks in the floor. This removes adult fleas, larvae, and eggs.
• Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag and take it outside immediately.
• Wash Bedding and Fabrics: Wash all pet bedding, human bedding, and any washable fabrics in hot water and dry on high heat to kill fleas and eggs.
• Steam Clean: Use a steam cleaner on carpets, upholstery, and drapes. The heat kills fleas and their eggs.
3. Use Flea Control Products
• Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): These products (e.g., methoprene or pyriproxyfen) prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing into adults. They’re often included in sprays or powders.
• Flea Sprays: Use pet-safe, household flea sprays on carpets, furniture, and baseboards. Follow the product’s instructions carefully.
• Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth on carpets and in crevices. It dehydrates fleas but is safe for humans and pets. Let it sit for several hours before vacuuming.
4. Target Flea Hotspots
• Pet Areas: Pay extra attention to where your pets sleep or spend time.
• Under Furniture: Fleas hide in dark, sheltered spaces.
• Baseboards and Cracks: Flea larvae often burrow into crevices, so treat these areas specifically.
5. Repeat the Process
• Vacuum Daily: Continue vacuuming every day for at least 2 weeks. This removes newly hatched fleas from pupae.
• Reapply Treatments: Some flea sprays or powders may require a second application after 7-10 days.
6. Consider Professional Help
• If the infestation persists, contact a pest control professional. They can apply stronger treatments to eliminate fleas effectively.
7. Prevent Future Infestations
• Regular Pet Treatment: Keep pets on a consistent flea prevention regimen.
• Yard Maintenance: Treat your yard to eliminate fleas before they enter your home.
• Inspect New Items: Check secondhand furniture, rugs, or bedding for fleas before bringing them inside.
By being thorough and consistent, you can effectively eliminate fleas and prevent future infestations.
