The Professional Edge

Pest control operators are no longer the only option in flea control, but they still offer the most complete control. With the introduction of veterinary pills and off-the-shelf products, pet owners may believe their flea problems are over. However, these products often leave customers unhappy. Homeowners informed about flea life cycles, product results and the fundamental services offered by pest control operators will understand that a PCO is their best choice for the total flea control they want.

Veterinarians and PCOs. Some flea control products available from veterinarians control fleas before they hatch. These products leave behind adult fleas and don’t affect the new fleas a pet may bring into the home from outside. In comparison, PCOs can provide products that control fleas before and after they hatch.

In addition, a PCO may also offer more complete knowledge about pest control, according to Ernest Smith, PCO and president of Circle S Pest Control in Mount Holly, N.C. “Some vets carry a large selection of flea control products, but are not familiar with how they work. Vets don’t have the expertise that PCOs do in regard to pests,” says Smith.

A PCO’s experience also offers an advantage over off-the-shelf products. Most pet owners are not familiar with the flea life cycle, pest havens and product applications, which can all affect the success of a product. “If pet owners buy flea control products to apply themselves, they probably won’t be satisfied with the results,” says R.B. Goforth, Jr., president of Arrow Exterminators of Fayetteville Inc. “Thorough treatment is very important. PCOs treat places fleas hide out, including under chairs and beds.”

Pretreatments. Pretreatment is the basis to a successful flea control program. Involving both pet owners and pest control operators, a flea prevention program treats homes before problems develop instead of attacking fleas after they’ve infested a home.

“I recommend treatments on an annual basis even if the homeowner doesn’t see fleas,” says Smith, a 16-year veteran of the pest control industry. “Pets bring fleas in from outside. We want to control the fleas before they infest the home, so we treat the whole house and recommend the pet be treated at the same time.”

“The flea control product should be placed both inside and outside of the home before a problem develops,” agrees Goforth, who entered the pest control business 52 years ago. “If the pesticide is in place when fleas are adults or begin to hatch, there may be less of a problem.”

Jeff Annis, president of Advanced Services for Pest Control in Augusta, Ga., says the home, the pet and flea products are all essential parts of total control. Pet owners need to clean the home, concentrating on areas where the pet rests, and bathe the pet. Flea control products, specifically insect growth regulators, should be applied to surfaces where fleas live. “Without each of these components, a homeowner will eventually develop a severe flea problem,” explains Annis.

Annis points out that PCOs can include flea treatments for a homeowner when the PCO already provides control services for other pests. “We have the equipment, training and expertise to pretreat the home for fleas with no additional inconvenience and a very small extra cost to the homeowner.” Serving the central Savannah River area, Advanced Services recommends a treatment at least four times a year when other pest control treatments are performed.

Annis, Smith and Goforth use Precor^® IGR and Precor^® 2000™ Spray to treat homes for fleas. In some situations, Smith and Goforth use a combination of Zoëcon’s Catalyst^® insecticide and Precor IGR. Catalyst provides a quick knockdown of fleas, while the active ingredient in Precor IGR and Precor 2000 prevents fleas from maturing into biting, breeding adults. PCOs apply Precor IGR, an insect growth regulator, to upholstered surfaces, concentrating on “hot spots” where the pet rests.

Precor 2000 is an aerosol application, resulting in thorough coverage of a wide area. PCOs can apply Precor 2000 to non-upholstered furniture and hardwood floors. It is the only water-based formula with an IGR.

Yardex,^® also by Zoëcon, can be used to treat outside pet owners’ homes to prevent pets from bringing fleas back into the home.

Customers Involved in Flea Control. Goforth says PCOs can counter unfair criticism with education. “PCOs are criticized for not controlling fleas and preventing further infestation, but the customer needs to understand the flea life cycle. It takes time to control the whole life cycle of fleas,” he says. He adds that hatching adult fleas will be seen periodically, but if a home is treated before a heavy infestation occurs, there may be only a minor flea problem that can be controlled faster.

Explaining to customers how the treatment will control fleas and helping them understand the life cycles helps pest control operators accomplish their treatment, according to Goforth.

Eliminating the pet from a home does not necessarily assure immediate flea control, according to Annis. Homeowners who don’t have pets still run the risk of flea infestations, because fleas can be carried into homes on clothing or by other animals.

“The biggest challenge with flea control is the commitment of the homeowner,” says Annis. “Homeowners need to take responsibility for their role in flea control, and we can help.”

Always carefully read and follow product label directions. Catalyst, Precor 2000, Precor, Petcor, PreFlea, Yardex and Zoëcon are trademarks of Wellmark International, Bensenville, Ill. ©1998 Wellmark International. Ann Wells is a writer based in Milwaukee, Wis.