Well, if you've got pets, chances are you've got fleas, but there are things we can do to combat this age old problem...

Before we deal with the flea problem, let's learn a little bit about "the enemy” to find out why they're so difficult to get rid of... The female flea lays up to 600 eggs in a life time, which translates into - approximately 20 a day. (That’s a lot of fleas!) Here’s the real kicker... Adult fleas can live as long as 8 months without eating provided they don’t emerge from their cocoons. They have a sort of “blood source radar,” so they know when a meal is near and it’s safe to wake up.

With this in mind, to successfully battle fleas, all fronts must be covered: the yard, the house, and the pets themselves.

Inside

Note: With children in the home, it’s a very bad idea to use chemical bombs… too many health risks, but there are other options.

1. The Soapy Water with a Candle Method. At night, place a pie pan with a ¼ inch of water, a squirt of dish soap, and a small light, such as a tea light candle, placed in the center of the pan in each room with a problem. The fleas will be attracted to the light, jump in the pan, and drown. This needs to be done every night until no more fleas are in the pan.
2. The Mothballs in the Vacuum Method. Mothballs in the vacuum bag supposedly kills the adult fleas and eggs after they’re vacuumed.
3. The Borax in the Carpet Method. 4 parts Borax to one part salt sprinkled on the carpet, left for at least a half hour, and then vacuumed kills fleas and eggs, but BORAX IS TOXIC, so DO NOT USE this if you have babies or small children crawling and playing on the carpet.
4. The "Only if you have Dark Carpets" Diatomaceous Earth Method. Diatomaceous earth (available from Gardener's Supply Company) can be sprinkled on the “DARK CARPET” and then vacuumed up.
5. The Hidden Trays of Rock Salt Method. Placing trays of rock salt under couches or other places where they can’t be seen or reached by children is said to help.

Outdoors

1. The Nematode Offense Method. Nematodes are microscopic, nonsegmented worms that are naturally found in soil. Nematodes enter their prey through body openings and emit an endo-toxin that kills the host insect within 48 hours. The insect cadavers are then fed to their offspring. Bottom line, they eat fleas! (Nematodes can be purchased in the "Beneficial Bugs Garden Pack" at Gardener's Supply Company)
2. The Strategic Planting Method. Planting pennyroyal, fennel, and/or basil in pet areas around the yard, is supposed to help.
3. The Anti-Bug Doghouse Method. Cedar wood shavings in the doghouse is said to help deter fleas.

Pets

1. Flea Dips. Start with a bath and dip using a good flea killing shampoo. Make sure you dip long enough to kill all the fleas.
2. Topical Flea Killers (the #1 Defense). The use of a topical product, like FrontLine or Advantage once a month is the easiest and most effective way of keeping your pet “flea free” and is also recommended by vets.