Insect Growth Regulators
IGRs are the most effective weapon in the flea control arsenal. They are effective at very low concentrations (< 10 ppb) and have virtually no mammalian toxicity. They mimic insect hormones and act on insects by interfering with their normal development. If you can tolerate fleas for the time it takes these compounds to eliminate a flea population, IGRs are effective by themselves. Expect to wait 2 weeks before noticeable flea reductions and 1-2 months before complete control.
Conventional Pesticides
People have different levels of acceptance to pesticides. Some may accept pyrethrum because it is a botanical, an extract of dried chrysanthemum flowers. But those with hay fever, especially allergy to ragweed, may show cross reactivity to pyrethrum making it unacceptable. Pyrethrum is known for its rapid knockdown, but fleas often revive and recover in time. Many people perceive boric acid or borax as being non-toxic and it is very effective for treating carpets. Test carpet color-fastness by applying boric acid or borax in a small, inconspicuous area first.
Treating Your Pet
It is necessary to treat the pet at the same time as the premises. Dusts are considered by some to be safer than sprays or dips.
Flea collars are the most seriously abused method of flea control. The advantage of a flea collar is that it can be placed on an infested pet for a treatment period (optimally less than 6 days) then removed and stored in a sealed glass jar until the next time it is needed. Flea collars should not be kept on pets permanently as a prophylactic measure. Be sure to check for dermatitis under the collar.
Dusts are considered safer than sprays or shampoos since there is no solvent to carry the pesticide through the host's skin. The problems with dusts or powders are that can't be controlled, easily becoming air-borne and they are ingested by cats during grooming. It is recommended that a pet be bathed after being treated with a pyrethrum dust to remove the fleas stupefied by the pyrethrum and reduce the risk of accidental ingestion by the pet.
Repellents can be used if you are taking your pet into a known flea-infested area. If a flea population exists in the home, use of a repellent on the pet means that the fleas will switch to their second choice for a blood meal - YOU. Many people report that the skin softener, Avon's SkinSoSoft, helped reduce flea problems for their pets. This product is not registered as an insecticide or for flea control.
Topical applications are available through veterinarians. They are spot-on oils which are applied to the shoulder region of the pet and distribute over the body within a few hours. They are non-toxic to mammals and kill almost all fleas on the pet within 24 hours.
Premise Treatment
Carpets can be effectively treated with boric acid or borax, alone or in combination with diatomaceous earth. Boric acid should be applied as a dust to indoor flea breeding areas. Boric acid may eventually cause damage to carpet fabric or upholstery. Boron compounds should not be used outdoors since they act as non-selective herbicides and will kill most plants.
Diatomaceous earth is made up of the fossil shells of single celled algae called diatoms. The shells are chemically and physically like ground-up glass. Diatomaceous earth kills only flea larvae. The larvae are scratched by sharp edges, lose body moisture, and die from desiccation. It has been found to be effective in dry climates but is much less effective in humid Florida. Linalool is an extract from citrus peels which is registered for indoor flea control. A wide range of conventional insecticides are registered for flea control as water diluted sprays, total release aerosols, or hand-held aerosols. Most of these would be unacceptable to pet owners who are uncomfortable with synthetic insecticides. No matter what product is used, always follow label directions.
Footnotes
- This document is ENY-229, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Revised: March 2003. Please visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
- P. G. Koehler, professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.