Best Management Practices:

Fleas

Fleas present an unique problem for the homeowner and pet lover.  Fleas can also be a problem for the hiker, camper, fisherman, bike rider and outdoor lover.  Fortunately, there are products that will properly control Fleas.

Fleas enter our homes by “jumping” onto our clothing, bodies, pets or object carried into the home.  It is important to note that control begins with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in several ways.  IPM would also begin with a thorough cleaning, vacuuming of the area, removal of debris indoors and outdoors, cutting tall grass and weeds, washing and cleaning pet areas and bedding and a flea treatment for your pet.  An excellent product to spray your pet it Petcor Flea Spray IGR and may be applied directly to your pet in accordance with product label. 

Since the majority of the fleas that infest are reproducing at an astounding rate, killing adult fleas will not provide complete control.  Approximately 75-80% of an infestation be either eggs or larvae.  Most quality pesticides will kill the adult fleas, but complete control should include an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) like either Archer IGR, NyGuard IGR or Precor IGR. An IGR will not allow fleas to mature and propagate. These IGR products maybe tank mixed into a Spray Doc 1 Gallon Premium Sprayer and applied at the same time and in conjunction with an adult flea control.  Excellent flea control concentrates to be mixed with an IGR for the home and the exterior perimeter area are:  Demand CS, Demon WP ,   Suspend SC, Talstar P and Tempo Ultra WSP.  After vacuuming, carpets and floors should be treated with either a spray mist applied using your Spray Doc 1 Gallon Premium Sprayer or by an aerosol can like Ultracide IGR, Precor 2000 Plus Premise Spray, Nylar Carpet Spray IGR, or fogging with Precor Plus Fogger IGR.  Another approach to flea control is with the botanical insecticide Demize E.C.  Demize does not inhibit cholinesterase. 

Large outdoor and yard areas may be treated for Flea control by using a concentrate like:  Conquer, Cynoff EC, Demon Max, Up-Cyde Pro 2.0 EC  or Prelude by spraying with a Spray Doc 3 Gallon Premium Sprayer or a ECHO MS-4 Sprayer.

Pest control products should be used in accordance with product labeled instructions and at proper application rates.

Best Management Practices courtesy of:   

Bes-Tex Supply, LLC     P.O. Box 664       San Angelo, Texas 76902     Ph. 325-653-1300