Although fleas breed year-round, they grow best under warm, humid conditions, which means flea season will be ramping up soon. The key to flea control is to control them in all areas where they occur: on the pet, in the house (if pets are allowed inside) and in the yard (if pets are allowed outside). Another key point in controlling fleas is to keep in mind that adult fleas only feed on the pet, but immature fleas develop off the pet, in areas where they can feed on dander, dried blood, and similar organic matter. This means that immature fleas will be most heavily concentrated in areas where pets spend the most time resting.
Litters of kittens or puppies provide optimum breeding opportunities for fleas, providing a concentrated source of hosts for the adult fleas and a concentrated abundance of organic “flea manna” for immature fleas to feed on. Often people will experience a surge in flea activity after the puppies or kittens have grown up and been moved on, or out, leaving the immature fleas that were still developing in the area behind.
One quirk in flea biology and development that is worth keeping in mind is that when no hosts are present, newly developed adult fleas will remain quiescent inside their cocoon and will not emerge until they sense (by vibrations, body warmth, and CO2) that hosts have returned. They can survive in this way for many months, which explains why new homeowners or apartment dwellers can be suddenly overwhelmed by fleas, even though they do not have a pet.
Notes on flea control:
On-pet flea treatments are costly, but these are some of the most effective treatments available for controlling and preventing fleas.
Focus indoor flea treatments on areas where pets spend most time resting, use a growth regulator, and vacuum frequently and thoroughly.
Focus outdoor treatments on shady areas where pets spend time resting. Fleas are not breeding in the open, sunny part of the yard.
For more information, check out these two Extension publication: Publication 2597: Control Fleas on Your Pet, in Your House, and in Your Yard: http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publicati…
Bug’s Eye View No. 19 of 2019: Cat Flea
http://extension.msstate.edu/newsletters/bug%E2%80%99s-eye-view/2019/ca…
