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Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Quick Tips

Flea life cycle (egg not shown).

The adult flea feeds directly on animals.

Two cat flea pupae.

Fleas are annoying to people and pets, especially during spring and early summer when their numbers tend to increase dramatically. The common flea in California is the cat flea. Despite its name, this flea attacks both dogs and cats and will also bite humans, potentially spreading flea-borne diseases. To keep fleas out of your home, control fleas on your pet and regularly clean pet sleeping areas.

On the pet:

Several very effective and safe products for flea control on the pet are available. You must supplement pet treatments with regular cleaning of your home and periodic combing with a pet flea comb to detect new infestations.

• Spot-on formulations are applied to the animal's coat. Use as directed on the label. These are available from veterinarians, over the counter, or online.
• Systemic flea control products, available from vets, are given as a pill or food treat.
• Flea collars containing permethrin and tetrachlorvinphos are effective against fleas and ticks. Collars with methoprene or pyriproxyfen (insect growth regulators; IGRs) affect eggs and immature fleas.
• Flea shampoos and soaps, powders and dusts, spray-on liquids, and dips are less effective and more hazardous to pets, people, and the environment than the three types of products above.

In the yard:

Outdoor treatments are occasionally needed. If your pet regularly sleeps outside and flea numbers are high, these areas can be treated with a spray containing pyriproxyfen. If possible, open sleeping areas to sunlight by removing low hanging vegetation. Immature fleas are unlikely to survive in areas with exposure to sunlight.

Some wild animals can lead to outdoor flea problems as well, including feral cats, opossums, squirrels, and coyotes, so limit food, water, and shelter for these animals on your property.

Inside the home:

To prevent flea populations from building up, regularly vacuum and launder areas where your pet rests. If you have a major flea problem, treat your pet and follow these steps:

• Locate heavily infested areas (usually areas where the pet rests) and concentrate treatment there.
• Wash throw rugs and pet bedding.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture, cleaning under cushions and in crevices.
• Vacuum carpets, especially beneath furniture.
• Use a hand sprayer or aerosol to treat infested areas of carpets and unwashable upholstered furniture with an insecticide that contains an IGR. This treatment kills larvae but not pupae, so fleas may continue to emerge for up to 2 weeks.
• Vacuum regularly to remove adult fleas that emerge from pupae for the next 2 weeks. Do not reapply pesticides.
• Seal vacuum bags and discard them so fleas don't escape.

Minimize the use of pesticides that pollute our waterways. Use nonchemical alternatives or less toxic pesticide products whenever possible. Read product labels carefully and follow instructions on proper use, storage, and disposal.