Jun 20, 2012 – Fume For Fleas?
QUESTION:
Can fleas be eradicated with fumigation?
ANSWER:
Very definitely a structural fumigation would completely eradicate a flea problem IF (that big "if") the source of the problem is within the structure. But, now and then the source is actually outside and the fleas are coming in through various openings, and in a case like this the fumigation would not affect that exterior source and the problem would continue. Let me give two examples I have seen. One was a vacant apartment where the fleas were originating in the landscape outside the patio, and every time the patio door was opened by a potential renter fleas would hop on in. Another was a bathroom that continually got hundreds of fleas in it, and the problem was actually just outside under a deck where some sort of animal was living, perhaps feral cats or raccoons.
View past Ask Mr. Pest Control questions.
Can fleas be eradicated with fumigation?
ANSWER:
Very definitely a structural fumigation would completely eradicate a flea problem IF (that big "if") the source of the problem is within the structure. But, now and then the source is actually outside and the fleas are coming in through various openings, and in a case like this the fumigation would not affect that exterior source and the problem would continue. Let me give two examples I have seen. One was a vacant apartment where the fleas were originating in the landscape outside the patio, and every time the patio door was opened by a potential renter fleas would hop on in. Another was a bathroom that continually got hundreds of fleas in it, and the problem was actually just outside under a deck where some sort of animal was living, perhaps feral cats or raccoons.
A true fumigant like Vikane will effectively kill all stages of the fleas - eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult fleas - as long as they are confined within the fumigated space. This, however, would be a pretty drastic measure to take for flea control, as a fumigation would be very expensive compared with the standard treatment using liquid sprays. Once the source of the problem is identified and addressed and the proper insecticides applied to the sites where the flea larvae are living, the problem should be resolved. This also needs to include the cooperation of the client to do the proper preparation, vacuuming, and treatment of the household pets by a qualified groomer to eliminate the fleas on the pets.
A lingering flea problem that just seems not to go away should be traced to some forgotten or missed location where the fleas are originating, and this needs to be discovered. I once visited a flea problem at a below-ground parking lot at a commercial building. Fleas were hopping all over the parking lot, but obviously were not breeding on that asphalt. It turned out that a private property above that exposed parking lot was infested and the fleas were falling off that property and down onto this lot, where the employees were getting adult fleas on them as they got out of their cars. If you have one of these frustrating flea problems that just won't go away it is not the fault of the chemicals. It is the need to find the source and correct it at that point.
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