Arizona's Flea Control Experts
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If your dog is scratching constantly or you're waking up with itchy bites on your ankles, you probably have fleas. They're one of the most frustrating pest problems because they're hard to see and even harder to eliminate.
Our technicians handle flea infestations across the Phoenix metro area, from Cave Creek to Casa Grande. We treat homes, yards, and work with pet owners to break the flea life cycle completely. Fleas aren't just annoying. They make your pets miserable and can transmit diseases.
The secret to flea control is understanding their life cycle. Adult fleas on your pet are only 5% of the problem. Eggs, larvae, and pupae hiding in your carpet and yard make up the other 95%. Our treatment targets every stage.
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The Flea Life Cycle
Understanding how fleas reproduce explains why they're so hard to eliminate.
Eggs. A single female flea lays 40 to 50 eggs per day. She lays them on your pet, but the eggs fall off into carpet, bedding, furniture, and cracks in flooring. Eggs hatch in 2 to 14 days depending on conditions.
Larvae. Flea larvae look like tiny worms. They avoid light and burrow deep into carpet fibers, under furniture, and into floor cracks. Larvae feed on organic debris and adult flea droppings. This stage lasts 5 to 15 days.
Pupae. Larvae spin cocoons and become pupae. This is the stage that makes fleas so persistent. Pupae can remain dormant for months, protected inside their cocoons. They only emerge when they detect heat, vibration, or carbon dioxide from a potential host.
Adults. Adult fleas emerge from cocoons and immediately seek a blood meal. They can jump onto a passing pet or person within seconds. Adults live on the host, feeding and laying eggs continuously.
A flea infestation can go from a few hitchhikers to thousands of fleas in just a few weeks. By the time you notice the problem, eggs, larvae, and pupae have spread throughout your home.
Why Fleas Are a Health Concern
Fleas are more than an itchy nuisance. They pose real health risks to pets and people.
Flea allergy dermatitis. Many dogs and cats are allergic to flea saliva. A single bite triggers intense itching, skin inflammation, and hair loss. Affected pets scratch until they create open sores vulnerable to infection.
The CDC notes that fleas carry tapeworm larvae. When pets groom themselves and swallow infected fleas, they become infected with tapeworms. Children can also contract tapeworms by accidentally ingesting fleas.
Anemia. Severe flea infestations can cause anemia in puppies, kittens, and small animals. Heavy feeding drains enough blood to be dangerous.
Plague and typhus. Arizona sees plague cases every year, primarily in rural areas. Fleas on rodents transmit plague bacteria. Murine typhus is also transmitted by fleas, causing fever, headache, and rash.
Signs of a Flea Problem
Fleas are small and fast. You might have an infestation before you actually see one.
Pets scratching excessively. This is usually the first sign. Dogs and cats with fleas scratch, bite at their skin, and seem restless. Check for fleas by parting your pet's fur, especially around the neck, belly, and base of the tail.
Flea dirt on pets. Flea droppings look like black pepper specks in your pet's fur. Place some on a wet paper towel. If it turns reddish-brown, it's flea dirt (digested blood), not regular dirt.
Bites on people. Flea bites appear as small, red, itchy bumps, usually on ankles and lower legs. Fleas don't prefer humans, but they'll bite when populations are high or pets aren't available.
Pets losing fur. Flea allergy dermatitis causes pets to lose fur, especially near the tail. Some animals are highly allergic to flea saliva and react severely to even a few bites.
Flea Treatment Process
HOW WE WORK
1
Inspection and Assessment
We inspect your home to determine the severity of the infestation and identify areas where fleas concentrate. We check pet resting areas, carpeted rooms, and furniture where eggs and larvae accumulate.
2
Interior Treatment
We apply products containing both adulticide and insect growth regulator to carpets, upholstery, cracks, and crevices. The growth regulator prevents eggs and larvae from developing into breeding adults.
3
Exterior Treatment
We treat shaded outdoor areas, under decks, along fence lines, and anywhere pets rest. Yard treatment eliminates the outdoor flea population that reinfests pets between indoor treatments.
4
Follow-up Treatment
Most flea problems require 2 treatments spaced 2 to 3 weeks apart. Pupae protected in cocoons survive initial treatment and emerge later. The follow-up treatment catches these new adults before they reproduce.
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Why Multiple Treatments May Be Needed
Flea pupae are nearly impossible to kill. They're protected inside cocoons that resist pesticides. This is why you might still see fleas after treatment.
Here's what happens: Treatment kills adult fleas, larvae, and eggs. Pupae survive inside their protective cocoons. Days or weeks later, pupae emerge as new adults. These new adults contact treated surfaces and die. Or, if enough time has passed, a second treatment is needed.
Most flea problems require 2 treatments spaced about 2 to 3 weeks apart. Severe infestations may need a third treatment. The growth regulator in our products helps by preventing any eggs that hatch from developing into breeding adults.
Continued vacuuming between treatments speeds the process. Vibration triggers pupae to emerge, exposing them to treated surfaces sooner.
Preventing Flea Problems
Once we've eliminated your flea problem, these practices keep them from returning:
Keep pets on prevention year-round. Arizona's climate allows fleas to survive all year. Don't stop flea prevention in winter. Your vet can recommend the best product for your pets.
Vacuum regularly. Weekly vacuuming removes flea eggs before they can develop. Focus on areas where pets rest.
Wash pet bedding frequently. Monthly washing in hot water kills any fleas that slip through prevention.
Control rodents around your property. Rodents carry fleas. A rat or mouse infestation can introduce fleas even if your pets are treated.
Address wildlife access. Feral cats, raccoons, and other wildlife carry fleas. Keep them out of your yard by securing garbage, removing food sources, and sealing entry points to sheds and crawl spaces.
Vacation Homes and Empty Properties
Fleas create a unique problem in vacation homes and rental properties that sit vacant.
When you leave, flea pupae can remain dormant for months. They're waiting for a host. When you return, vibration and carbon dioxide trigger a mass emergence. You walk in the door and get swarmed by hungry fleas.
If you have a vacation property that's had pets, treat before leaving for extended periods. When returning after vacancy, vacuum thoroughly before occupying the space. This triggers pupae to hatch and makes treatment more effective if needed.
We treat vacant properties and can schedule service before your arrival to ensure a flea-free return.
Don't just take our word for it
You should see a significant reduction in adult fleas within 24 to 48 hours. However, new fleas will continue emerging from pupae for several weeks. The growth regulator prevents these from reproducing. Most flea problems are fully resolved within 2 to 4 weeks with 2 treatments.
We recommend people and pets stay out for 2 to 4 hours while products dry. We'll provide specific instructions based on the products used. Once dry, treated areas are safe for normal activity.
Pupae protected in cocoons survive initial treatment. They emerge over the following weeks and die when contacting treated surfaces. Continued vacuuming speeds this process. If activity persists beyond 3 weeks, a follow-up treatment is usually needed.
Over-the-counter foggers and sprays rarely eliminate flea infestations. They don't reach larvae hiding deep in carpets or under furniture. They also don't contain the growth regulators that prevent reinfestation. Professional treatment is more effective and usually costs less than repeated DIY attempts.
Fleas can enter on clothing, shoes, or other items. They can also come from rodents or other wildlife that access your home. Sometimes indoor cats catch fleas during vet visits or from screened porches. Indoor pets aren't immune to fleas.
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